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& Herald fi

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Volume

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

6

Number 26 • March

7,

1997

Catholics, Methodists Discuss

Papacy, Sacraments —

WASHINGTON

(CNS) At their members of the U.S.

winter meeting,

United Methodist-Roman Catholic Dia-

churches on ter

ing of baptism and confirmation.

sessions,

as part of their Feb. 27at St.

1

Paul's College in

In a departure from usual practice in ecumenical dialogues, they invited reporters from Catholic News Service and the United Methodist News Service to sit in

on

part of their discussions.

In a lively

90-minute discussion of

confirmation, based on a paper by the

By

MIKE KROKOS

looked like she'd come up on the short end of a prize fight.

On Monday, the point guard for Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School's varsity basketball team sported a small cut and black eye after accidentally getting jabbed during Sunday's Shamrock Tournament Division I girls championship game.

The mishap sent the 8th grader to the locker room for most of the second quarter, but Josephson returned to the floor in the second half, helping her teammates deliver the knockout punch against St. Jude School of Atlanta, 33-22.

"Marly's a very tenacious athlete.

She fought her way back (after the in-

Holy Trinity Coach

jury)," said

Bill

Lewis.

dogs,

who ended

—

—

its

first-ever

Shamrock Tour-

nament title.

"We're very proud of the girls," Lewis said. "They worked hard all year, and their skills kept improving. We could see the team was getting better going into

the year with a 21-3

record after also securing their confer-

ence championship. The Holy Trinity boys fared equally well, placing third in the Division

I

bracket of the Shamrock

Tournament.

Josephson's grittiness on the court is

nothing

new

to the

Shamrock

invita-

tional, a Catholic schools tradition since

1962. According to Holy Trinity Princi-

pal Jerry Healy, the

Shamrock was

by former Charlotte Catholic High School Coach Tom Brennan and is one of the oldest running basketball tournaments on any level in the state.

Brennan coached at Charlotte Catholic from 1956-66. Healy worked closely with the tournament from 1970-89 and started

continues to

The Lady Bulldogs' victory earned Holy Trinity in its second year of existence

the icing

assist.

Hosted by St. Patrick School, the 7th and 8th grade invitational brings teams from the Southeast and is a season highlight for many schools. This year, 52 teams competed.

Sister

Mary Aquin

sion and dialogue."

confirmation.

he said.

Kriewald attributed much of the confusion to the historical separation of baptism and confirmation in the West from about the fifth century on, and to the West's adoption of the term "confirmation," as opposed to the more ancient term "chrismation," still used in the churches of the East. Chrismation means Dr.

Bishop Grove said

it

has

become an

important part of the dialogue to pray and

At

last fall's

reflecting

on

dialogue session, after

their experience of division

when Methodist participants were unable to receive

Communion

at a

Mass and the Catholics could at the

Catholic

not receive

Methodist service, the dialogue

members agreed

not to try to celebrate a

eucharistic liturgy together this time.

Bishop Grove said

papacy Methodist Bishop

In an earlier discussion of

to their "painful"

that in contrast

experience of division

and church authority, William Boyd Grove said he believes that "the point of view of contemporary Methodists toward the authority of the

in eucharistic

bishop of Rome

kane, Wash., Catholic co-chairman of the

was

is

far

more

positive than

worship last fall, the shared renewal of baptismal vows was "a very rich experience."

Bishop William

— reminiscent of the making Methodist bishops — are among factors itineracy"

the rounds of congregations expected of

have contributed to a more sympaview by Methodists.

Msgr. John Strynkowski of Holy Cross Parish in Maspeth, N.Y., outlined the history behind Roman Catholic understanding of papal primacy and authorthat

thetic

papacy

is

to

Skylstad of Spo-

uniquely written rite" for that occasion.

But the rituals of the two churches for renewal of baptismal

be less of an ob-

vows

"are re-

and I think we all noted a great deal of convergence," he said.

The Love-feast the group celebrated was based on the common practice in John Wesley's lifetime rather than the order currently recommended in the United Methodist Book of Worship.

A community meal based on the agape meals recorded in the New Testament, the Love-feast played a major role ally quite similar,

when Methodism was movement within the Anglican

in the early years

a reform

ity.

"If the

S.

dialogue, said the service "was a

the case a generation ago."

Bishop Grove, ecumenical officer of the Council of Bishops and Methodist co-chairman of the dialogue, said Pope John XXIII's "expansive and generous spirit" and Pope John Paul IPs "style of

Church and Methodists usually

cel-

stacle to church unity in the next millen-

ebrated the Eucharist in their Anglican

me

parishes, not in their Methodist chapels.

the colle-

Participants agreed that their next meeting to be held in Washington Oct. 1 6- 1 8, will include an open forum to help expand the awareness and experience of

nium," he "then — seems — we must recover more of said,

gial style

lennium

it

of governance of the

to

to

first

mil-

balance the monarchical style

of the second millennium."

See Shamrock, page 3

Mercy

worship together and reflect on that.

"We want our life together as members of the dialogue to be not only intellectual and doctrinal, but experiential,"

We peaked at the right time."

The Shamrock championship was on the cake for the Lady Bull-

Editor

CHARLOTTE — Marly Josephson

At a press briefing between dialogue

Rev. Diedra H. Kriewald of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, participants on both sides acknowledged widely differing theological and pastoral views within their own churches oh the meaning, practice and purpose of

anointing. the tourney.

bet-

of U.S. dialogue is to translate the results of three decades of national and world dialogue "into forms that can engage congregations and parishes."

Sister O'Neill, a theologian from Mount St. Agnes Theological Center for Women in Baltimore, said, "We've tried to identify topics that we thought would capture what is on the minds of Catholics and Methodists ... that will draw people in the congregations into discus-

com-

a noneucharistic

meeting Washington.

Catholic Schools Tradition

papacy might

ebrating a baptismal renewal service and

March

Shamrock Tournament A

the

O'Neill said the aim of the current round

— munity meal —

KROKOS

how

serve Christian unity.

also worshiped together, cel-

a Love-feast

Photo by MIKE

by Pope John

in part

Paul's request for a dialogue with other

logue discussed the papacy, church authority and their churches' understand-

They

Sacred Heart Coach Tim Henning instructs his players during a timeout in a secondround game of the Shamrock Tournament. The Salisbury school finished the season with a 19-8 record.

was prompted

The group's discussion of the papacy

the dialogue to others.

5

1

2

The Catholic News

& Herald

March

He

Abortion Supporter Says

About

Partial-Birth

NANCY FRAZIER O'BRIEN WASHINGTON (CNS) — The ex-

By

Lay Ministry

Lied

An

Procedure

themselves "did serious harm"

who perform

lying that they were only performed in

Abortion Providers has admitted that he and other supporters of keeping abortion legal lied about the partial-birth abortion procedure during debate over legislation to ban it.

Ron Fitzsimmons, whose organization represents more than 200 independently owned abortion clinics, said in an

extreme circumstances.

"When you're a doctor who does these abortions and the leaders of your movement appear before Congress and go on network news and say these procedures are done in only the most tragic of circumstances, how do you think it makes them feel?" Fitzsimmons said.

"You know they're primarily done on healthy women and healthy fetuses, and it makes you feel like a dirty little abor-

interview in the

March

3 issue of Ameri-

can Medical News that abortion supporters used "spins" and "half-truths" in the debate that ultimately led Congress to fail to override President Clinton's veto

tionist

of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.

Congress, as Rep. Charles Canady, RFla., plans to do, "I think we should tell

Fitzsimmons said he personally lied when he said in a November 1995 interview on "Nightline" that women have partial-birth abortions only in cases of

danger to the mother's tal

or severe fe-

life

abnormalities.

was

"It

not a shining

moment for me who said

personally," said Fitzsimmons,

he stayed out of the partial-birth debate

them

the truth,

secret."

late-term abortions in

which the unborn

partially delivered, feet first, be-

fore surgical scissors are stabbed into the

in

them vote and move

let

It is

murder.

"And now call

It is

is

child abuse.

infanticide," he added.

who

clear to even those

it's

in the

second trimester on

healthy fetuses and healthy mothers.

"The abortion

rights folks

the anti-abortion folks

know

it,

and

it,

so,

probably, does everyone else," he said.

When tial-birth

began over the parabortion procedure, Fitzsimmons the debate

said, "I learned right

away

that this

being done for the most part

in

was

cases that

did not involve those extreme circum-

He

also said he thought a ban

real

woman."

are all called to ministry

through our baptism," says Sister Mary Timothy, diocesan director of lay minis-

However,

it

said the procedure

"may

be the best or most appropriate procedure in a particular circumstance to save the life or preserve the health of a

woman, and only

helped launch the ministry in the Charlotte Diocese in 1990.

"Most of us will not be called to do a lot of church ministry

make

on to other ministries, such as RCIA, permanent diaconate and religious education. Oth-

Joanna Jackson, parishioner and former director of religious education at

pro- choice friends in Congress," he said.

"Even

the

White House

is

now question-

some of the information given to it on this issue.

"We're fighting a bill that has the support of, what, 78 percent of the public?" Fitzsimmons added. "That tells me that we have a PR problem."

He said the abortion supporters ing the accuracy of

agrees

—

native North Carolinian, Sister

Cleansing the

Mary Timothy

among

munities, but

their brothers

Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville, became certified in the

sisters

diocesan lay ministry training program

a better understanding that

in 1995.

She says the experience

how

ister at the parish level in

left

her

minan ongoing to

sense.

"Besides being a

DRE,

really felt

I

adult education in the parish

is

impor-

of

"Our goal to argue

and

all faiths.

our

is

come to we don't have explains. "We

helping people

faith," she

and walk it, and I think of what our program does.

Hopefully, it helps people be comfortable in their faith and keeps them more apprised of what it means to be Catholic have

to talk

it

that's part

today."

the doctor, in consul-

txvptuxz tfje

feck of

Jkrdj945

Temple Sunday:

2 Chronicles 36:14-17, 19-23 Ephesians 2:4-10

At Immaculate Conception Church, Jackson sees a direct link between lay ministry and ongoing education, evangelization and enrichment of parish life.

For Sister Mary Timothy, examples like those of the Hendersonville parish serve as reminders of the value of lay ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte. "I would surely say that

when we

are preparing

qualified coordinators of religious education, for instance, then

John 3:14-21

we are certainly

preparing the Church of tomorrow," she

Monday:

Isaiah 65: 17-21

says.

John 4:43-54

been a loss of credibility for those who want to keep abortion legal, Fitzsimmons

our

A

With the training they receive

virtually nil," he said,

just with the general public, but with

Mary Timothy

,

during the two-year certification process,

^Reabhtga for

mat on" because it would have on doctors or patients. "The world impact on doctors and patients

lost

Sister

that lay ministry

—

this decision."

effect

"The pro-choice movement has

think

—

based upon the woman's particular circumstances, can

on par-

a lot of credibility during this debate, not

I

wonderful."

that's just

can help bettss.w 2§i!zZ ,X5A ter incorporate tenets of the faith into other forms of miniswe're too large in number. try. Overall, she says, the intent But we can minister every day of the ministry is to yield a right where we are." deeper comprehension and apSister Mary Timothy says preciation both academically lay ministry serves as an enand spiritually of the Catholic faith. riching program of Catholic adult edu-

tation with the patient,

"wasn't worth going

said.

are entering lay ministry this year.

who

with a greater awareness of

adding that doctors would just use another abortion method.

The biggest problem arising from the debate over partial-birth abortion has is

for Catholics to fulfill their bap-

such as lay ministry provide Catholics with an opportunity to educate and evangelize, not only within their parish com-

reported on

reaction to an opinion issued- in January

to the little

At Immaculate Conception, where about 15 parishioners joined Jackson during the 1994-95 training session, those areas include lectoring, working with the home-bound and assisting the bereavement ministry.

"We were really encouraged," adds Jackson. "A few of the people who came into the Church through RCIA last year

ers enter simply for personal enrichment.

News

issue

stances" cited by opponents of the ban. tial-birth abortions

of other areas."

has witnessed much growth of the Catholic faith in the diocese over the years. She says programs

health of the

know

sic

tismal obligations.

"We

Lay ministry is such a good, baprogram; you can spin off into a lot

topics.

participants often venture

same

separate article in the

by the executive board of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on partial-birth abortion.

The board said that it could identify "no circumstances under which this procedure would be the only option to save the life of the mother or preserve the

performed

way

periodic six-week sessions on various

A

ing for easier delivery of the collapsed

can Medical Association, that the vast majority of partial- birth abortions are

into adult meetings in our parish. Now, we have an adult group that meets each Sunday, and we also have

Christ,"

cation.

of American Medical

Fitzsimmons told the American Medical News, published by the Ameri-

mind of

Bishop William G. Curlin told 1 15 newly certified lay ministers upon completing their training last year. "I also ask you one thing: Have the love, tenderness, generosity and joy of Jesus Christ in your ministry."

That May 1996 ceremony at St. Gabriel Church celebrated the addition of individuals to a growing ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte, one which Mercy Sister Mary Timothy Warren calls the

put a lot of material from the

program

training

themselves 'pro-choice' that partialis grotesquely inhumane."

birth abortion

base of the infant's head. The child's brain is then removed by suction, allowhead.

"We

CHARLOTTE — "I beg you to have

try,

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., chairman of the House Pro-Life Caucus, said Fitzsimmons' comments showed that "even those who have defended this method of child abuse eventually have their consciences catch up to them."

tant," she adds.

Staff Writer

a

reintroduced

"Partial-birth abortion

The legislation vetoed by Clinton would have banned a procedure used in is

little

on," Fitzsimmons said.

after that.

child

with a dirty

If the legislation is

JIMMY ROSTAR

By

by

ecutive director of the National Coalition of

Opportunity For Service

to those

partial-birth abortions

1997

7,

In the Diocese of Charlotte, the lay program is funded through the

ministry

Tuesday:

"He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them

all

their tables....

Take

He

Wednesday:

Thursday:

out of here, and stop making my

(John2:14-17)

annual Diocesan Support Appeal.

Isaiah 49:8-1

fur

John 5:17-30

Friday:

those

Father's house a " marketplace.'

9,12

Exodus 32:7-14 John 5:31-47 2-22 John 7:1-2,10,25-30

Wisdom

2:1 a,1

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out of the

temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned said,

Ezekiel47:

John 5:1-16

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Rev. John Huston,

1

of

©1997CNSGraph

Jeremiah 11:18-20 John 7:40-53

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Rev. Francis

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Rev. Robert

A. Gibson, 1987

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1983

A*-

"

March

7,

The Catholic News

1997

Pope Says Nature Must Not Be Manipulated For Power VATICAN CITY (CNS) creation belongs to

all

God,

Basketball Tournament

— Because it

must not

"Our kids look forward year," said

to

it

Is

Season

Catholic School

every

Herald 3

Highlight, from page

1

Catholic squads are also invited to

Bob Cannon, boys head coach

James School

&

participate. In years past, the

Jew-

Savannah, Ga., whose school has been making the 500mile round trip to play in the tournament

the competitors. "Several years ago,

pope said "dangerous experiments" which show a lack of respect for life are

since 1992.

vation students

modem

"Our girls team won the tourney our first year here, and the second year, our boys team won it."

Tim Henning, boys head coach and

be manipulated for business purposes,

Pope John Paul

II

said.

In an apparent reference to cloning,

the

signs of people turning their de-

power or money into a god. his March 2 midday Angelus address, Pope John Paul spoke about that day's Gospel reading at Mass of sire for

During

of

St.

"We got spoiled early on," he

athletic director of in Salisbury,

Shamrock

whole world which belongs to God and must not be profaned.

"It is the

in

ish

we had

added.

Sacred Heart School

The

coach views the invitational as more than competition. "It teaches the kids about spirit, teamwork, and sportsmanship," he said.

Christ driving the sellers and

money

changers out of the temple.

"The zeal and love of Jesus for His Father's house certainly a temple of stone," the

is

not limited to

pope

said. "It is

whole world which belongs and must not be profaned." the

Making

a

God

to

whip out of cords and

chasing out those

who were doing

busi-

ness in the temple, "Christ puts us on the

guard against the temptation to 'market' even religion.

"Christ raises His voice also against the 'temple merchants' of our time, against those who make the market their 'religion,' going so far as to trample in the name of the 'power god' or the the dignity of the hu'money god' man person with abuses of every type,"

—

—

pope said.

Respect for life is sacrificed to money or power in modern experiments, ecological pollution, the marketing of sex, drug pushing and in the exploitation of the poor and of children, he said.

Like other schools participating, the ended Sacred Heart's season.

With a 19-8 mark, Henning was pleased with his team's effort this year. "You could see how the kids came together as a group," he said.

The Shamrock Tournament is always held in March and includes both school (Division I) and parish (Division II) teams. It begins on Thursday, and culmiinvitational

nates with four championship

Sunday. Besides Holy Trinity, other win-

After the cloning of an adult sheep Scotland, a Vatican official strongly

warned against any attempt to duplicate the experiment on a human.

Bishop Elio Sgreccia, the Vatican's leading expert on medical ethics, said even animal cloning should be subject to strict ethical guidelines to

maintain

respect for the integrity of the various

species created by God.

13

1

\

School of Atlanta (Division I, boys), Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro (Division II, boys), and Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Raleigh (Division II, girls). St. Patrick's parish team was the runner-up in the Division II boys bracket.

The weekend includes much more than basketball:

It is

also a time of fel-

lowship for participants and their famiA Mass is celebrated on Saturday evening, followed by a dance for the students in the Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School gymnasium. Father Dennis Kuhn, lies.

Msgr. Richard Allen, and Father John Hanic are among the priests who have celebrated the liturgy. Msgr. Allen, pastor

of St.

Ann Church,

invitational in the

helped oversee the

mid-1960's with

St.

^

Sunday Daily Masses:

—

The Shamrock's nizers.

early years

-

money

"Back

then,

we

so

we handled

the kids in the school,"

he added. "They'd sleep in the classrooms at St. Patrick's.

That

was part of the excitement of the experience Although the mateams are of the faith, non-

Holy

Trinity

Division

to

Rector: The Very Reverend Paul Gary

Parochial Vicars: Reverend Eric Houseknecht

and Reverend Thomas Williamson 1621 Dihvorth Road East

ft

Charlotte,

NC 28203 1 (704)334-2283

II

forward Michelle Watts drives to the basket

girls

championship game.

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

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

Bishop William G. Curlin

ou can express your commitment to your Church by making a bequest to the Diocese of Charlotte or to your parish. Simply have the following

statement included in your Will: "/ leave to the

Saturday Confession:

were a

everything," Msgr.

Allen recalled. "We cooked all the meals and fed everybody."

"We also housed

5:30PM 12:30PM

Friday — 12:10PM — Rosary 8:45AM; Mass 9:00AM; Novena 9:30AM Saturday — 4:00 5:00PM or by request

Monday

alive and well.

didn't have a lot of

Y & 7:30AM &

is

labor of love for orga-

In Yours.

11:00AM

Ann, St. Gabriel, and Holy Trinity verify one thing:

Madness

jority of the

8:00, 9:30,

added Msgr. Allen. "We looked for teams that didn't have anywhere else to play." Teams from Tampa, Fla., and Washington, D.C., have also made the trip to Charlotte to take part in the tournament.

The event continues to mature and is now a fund-raiser for the St. Patrick School Athletic Association.

"We use the proceeds for various things," explained Tom Hennessy, athletic association president.

"We've purchased uniforms, new lights for the gym, and used monies for other improvements."

According to Msgr. Allen, the early days of the tourney were as exciting as they are today. "I have never felt electricity like I did at some of those games," he said.

The packed gyms last weekend

Msgr. Allen explained. "The tournament was built around our Catholic faith."

for them."

—

reser-

come down and

Catholic Schools' version of March

HisWll

Masses: Saturday Vigil

Cherokee Indian

a rebound.

emphasis was to bring the Catholic community (of Charlotte) together, and it still is,"

aft ©Aral.

was among

at St. Patrick, St.

Patrick parishioner Joe Mosca.

"In the beginning, the main

Charlotte

Players from Sacred Heart School, Salisbury, and St. James School, Savannah, battle for

Remember

Weekend

A

ners this year included Sts. Peter and Paul

the

in

games on

the

in

play,"

has brought teams to the

for the past five years.

Center

Charlotte (or

Roman

Catholic Diocese of

parish, city) the

sum of$

percent of the residue of my estate) for religious, educational and charitable works!' (or

For more information on

how

to

make

its

a Will that works, contact

Jim Kelley, Diocese of Charlotte, Office of Development, 1524 East Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28207, (704) 331-1709 or 377-6871.

in

4 The Catholic

News

&

March

Herald

Pro-Life Corner

II

Pope Says At Cana, Jesus Asked Mary To

Show —

u There can be no safe sex, because no safe sin."

— Barbara McGuigan addressing youth at the retreat, "God's Plan for Life and Love, " March

1,

1997

Respect Life Office

The Diocese of CharCotte

(704)331-1720

general audience Feb. 26.

Dear brothers and sisters, Continuing our catechesis on the Blessed Virgin Mary, we now consider the wedding feast at Cana, when Jesus performed His first miracle, turning water into wine. St. John's account emphasizes Mary's concern for the bride and bridegroom and her complete confidence in her son. Mary precedes the disciples in faith, for, as the Gospel tells us, it was only after Jesus had performed the miracle that His disciples believed in Him(cf. Jn 2:11).

Mary's faith does not falter, even when Jesus seems to refuse her request and says that His hour has not yet come (Jn 2:4). But Mary immediately says to the servants: "Do whatever He tells you" (v.5). These words reveal three things: Mary's great faith, the power of her prayer and her cooperation in the saving mission of her son. They invite Christians in every age to trust

Lord

submit obediently to His will, with confidence that His words will be fulfilled: "Ask, and it will be given you" (Mt 7:7, Lk 1 1 :9).

I extend special greetings to the representatives of the

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

March 8

March 13

Permanent Deacons Day of Retreat 6f Recommitment

Installation as

Catholic Conference

Pensacola-Tallahassee

Center Hickory

Pensacola,

fully

and

to

Bishop John Ricard

Rev, Francis

11 a.m.

5:30 p.m.

Confirmation

Confirmation

St.

St.

Joseph of the

Presbyteral Council

Meeting of Bishops' Committee for Priestly

Meeting Catholic Conference

Baltimore,

Life

and Ministry

MD

Center Hickory

>7<

dxI'Hft Catholic

*News& Herald March

7,

On The

1997

Volume 6 • Number 26 Most Reverend William G. Curlin Editor: Michael Krokos Associate Editor: Joann Keane

alities

change meaning: To die

is

Sullivan

PO Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237 Phone: (704) 331-1713 FAX: (704) 377-0842 E-mail: CNHNEWS@AOL.COM

The Catholic News & Herald, USPC 007-393, is published by Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1 524 East Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28207, 44 times a year, weekly except for Christmas week and Easter week and every two weeks during June, July and August for $1 5 per year for enrollees in parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte and $18 per year the

other subscribers. Second-class postage paid at Charlotte and other cities. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections

for all

The Catholic News & Herald,

PO Box

37267, Charlotte,

NC

a saying about regeneration,

Church Media Must Spread 'True Meaning' Of Year 2000, Pope Says VATICAN CITY (CNS) The Catholic Church

—

must improve the way it communicates the Gospel to a world in need of its message of hope, love and transformation, Pope John Paul II said. The message "must be broadcast with increasing effectiveness

in order to

help the people of our time to escape or shake off the spiritual

emptiness which weighs heavily on the hearts

of so many," the pope said Feb. 28. In a speech to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Pope John Paul focused particularly on the role of the media in the

preparations for the year 2000.

of wheat dies,

this principle

of

it

wouldbe anyone would serve me, let

through death to

life

lowers of Jesus, "If

person follow me,"

i.e.,

along

all

my way

of

life

of Israel, taking the initiative, as at Sinai. This will fulfill the original intention of the

will

God, and they

people."

shall

be

The new cov-

enant will rest on divine forgiveness; but this pardon must be preceded by Yahweh's discipline, the Babylonian exile. But in the time of restoration, Yahweh will give each Israelite a

new

heart.

second reading from the Letter to the Hewe have Jesus portrayed as a compassionate high priest called by God, one who can sympathize with sinners, because in the time of His mortal In the

brews

(5:7-9),

"He offered prayers to God, who was able to save Him from death." Jesus was heard, not because He did not die, but because God raised Him from death. Then,

life,

availing himself of the learning-through-suffering

common

Greek

mo-

he writes that Jesus, "Son though He was, learned obedience and so became the source of eternal salvation" for all who believe in tif

in

literature,

be expressed

in

personal response.

This

is

the paschal mystery that

to relive these next

into Christ,

we

two weeks.

we

are preparing

When we

are baptized

are baptized into His death

— we

are

called to die to sin in order to rise with Him to live a new life. When we partake of the Eucharist, we cel-

ebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and as

we encounter Him

in

we

His sacramental presence,

be open to receive His Spirit.

Our Christian vocation is to be conformed more and more to the image of Him whom we proclaim as God's Son. And the same spirit of Christ that enlivens us for holiness of life is the source of eternal life for all of us who believe in Him and for all who seek God in

The prophet has Yahweh,

new covenant it

my

that

through

written about 587 B.C., predicting the ultimate restoration of Israel after the exile.

old;

their

try,

The Old Testament reading is the famous new covenant passage of Jeremiah 31:31 -34. This is an. oracle,

God

The prophet pictures Yahweh himself forming a new community, "I will be

fol-

death.

the

Lent:

Life

"Un-

remains just a grain of wheat," and a saying of Jesus found in other forms in the synoptic Gospels, "Whoever loves his life will lose it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life." Then by analogy he extends less a grain

Mail:

28237.

Christ our Savior.

Him.

Hence He adds

Production Associate: Sheree McDermott Secretary: Cindy Geppert 1524 East Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28207

to

and to lose is must decompose

in the earth.

Writer:Jimmy Rostar Hispanic Editor: Luis Wolf

NC

New

to live

to find. In order to bear fruit, a grain

Staff

Gene

your hearts with sentiments of joy and gratitude toward our Creator. To all the English-speaking visitors, especially those from Great Britain, Thailand, Hong Kong and the United States, I cordially invoke the joy and peace of Jesus fill

Sunday Of

Fifth

through His crucifixion will Jesus be accessible to all; only after His death can the Gospel encompass both Jew and Gentile. It is an hour of paradox, when all re-

Publisher:

Advertising Manager:

Mary Major: May God

St.

S.J.

sal significance

Charlotte

11

Gignac,

Today's liturgy invites us to reflect on the univerof the death and resurrection of Christ.

The author of the fourth gospel concluded his story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem with an ironical statement put on the lips of the Pharisees, "Look, the whole world has gone after Him." To illustrate this, he tells a story of some Greeks coming to see Jesus (John 12:20 -33). Far from being incidental extras, these Greeks, like the magi in the infancy narrative of Matthew's gospel, symbolize the Gentile world in search of the truth of God. Their approach to Jesus is made through Philip and Andrew, signifying that access to Jesus has to be mediated to the world at large through His disciples.

The author then develops the point that all who would truly "see" Jesus must see Him through His paschal mystery, i.e., in his death and resurrection. Only

Thomas Aquinas

March 16

March

T.

Resurrection and

Church

Hills

Church Eden

and to the view"Songs of Praise" telecast from the Basilica of

FL

Reflections

9

BBC

the

ers of the

Guest Column

Bishop of Diocese of

March 15

March

4'

Faith Of Disciple

VATICAN CITY (CNS) Here is the Vatican text of Pope John Paul II 's remarks in English at his weekly is

1997

The Pope Speaks Pope John Paul

there

7,

to

and sincerity of heart.

The Rev. Francis T Gignac, S.J., is a professor and chairperson of the Department of Biblical Studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington. truth

"

1

March

7,

The Catholic News

1997

Light

&

Herald 5

One Candle

Father Thomas J, McSweeney

Happiness:

A Ticklish Subject Tickle Me Elmo sound

Do the words

you? if you were one of the thoumillions if you believed some sands of moms, dads, of the news stories grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, or uncles who tried to buy that particular familiar to

They do

—

—

battery-operated chatty toy this last Christmas season.

And "tried" appears to have been the key word. Advertising and whatever other mix of circumstance combined to make the fuzzy orange doll The-Toy-ofthe-Year for the nation's pre-school set.

The economics of supply and demanding little ones did the rest: too few Elmos and too many adults trying

be in the right store at the right time to snap it up, wrap it up and get it under the tree in time for Santa to get the credit.

For those grown-ups not caught up in the crisis, it is still easy to sympathize with those waiting for hours for a store to

to open or driving all over town on the chance of finding one, just one, left on a

end

in the

it

your

over the

into all

But the whole phenomenon really got unnerving when we started hearing about ads in newspapers, on the Internet and neighborhood bulletin boards offering to sell the $20-something doll for up

years that matters. Not one

box on one single day.

The thing

While some little recipients will drag the toy around for months, adoring every "Hee-hee-hee," many more will play

If

for a far shorter time.. And their

parents, grandparents, et

granted that

is

it

al.

take for

impossible to predict

whether the object of desire, named Elmo, Barbie, Barney, or G.I. Joe, will be treasured or discarded. These grownups with

—

in spite

of this uncertainty and

the trouble and aggravation

all

—

do their best to get and give their beloved children what they want.

You have realistic expectations about a toy for a child because you know that still

let that

be enough. people

it

gifts

You do your best and

to $1,000.

with

it

we

is,

or the

the

you put

shelf.

single

more we chase it more elusive it becomes. We know happiness depends more on what we are than what we have. And we also know that we cannot force anyone to be happy. And that

the thought

is

that counts, the love

we want

includes us.

love to be happy.

they want something and

we can deliver it, we do. Just because.

However, we can't coerce happiness.

What we can do is create a climate through our good actions where our loved ones can find their own happiness.

"The grand essentials to happiness in this life, wrote the great man of letters Joseph Addison, "are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."

When you stop to think about it, we all know a great deal about happiness.

We know that the more we worry about

That desirable state of joy and contentment that we call happiness, that sense of being at peace with God, at peace with ourselves and with each other, that happiness grows

how we feel we do and how we give.

not by concentrating on but on what

—

And you don't have to wait until December 25th.

For a free copy of the Christopher News Note, "Live the Golden Rule, write to The Christophers, 12 East 48th Street,

New

NY. 10017.

J. McSweeney

York,

Father Thomas

is di-

rector of the Christophers.

Question Corner Father John Dietzen

The Wedding Feast Gospel of Matthew

in

"On what

the

Q. Would you please tell us what is meant by the story of the wedding feast in the Gospel of Matthew? My husband seems to think it means only certain

people are called to be saved.

He is 64 years old, but wasn baptized until he was 20. He is a good Catholic, but this seems to concern him a great 't

In other words, we're

dealing here with a parable

living, to authenticate

which

their relationship with the

His teachings (Mt 21:23).

As Matthew constructs the

situation,

God

God's saving work on

emissaries, including His

you refused

to hear

own

Son, but

God's voice

in

any

't

A. The passage to which you refer (Mt 22:1-14) was the Sunday Gospel

some weeks ago.

It

A few thoughts may

help our under-

three stories Jesus tells in

challenge put to

"chosen people," new or old, are being called to take a place in the kingdom of '

God. Comparing God's reign to a rich banquet is of course a common theme throughout the Scriptures, one which Matthew makes good use of here.

Many

elements of

stretch the imagination

standing. This passage relates the last of

answer

Him by Jewish

to a

leaders:

fruitless and usually misleading to look for it is

concluding with the

universal invitation to

this

climax story

beyond

all

cred-

ibility. What king, for example, leaves a banquet waiting, goes off to war, kills enemies and burns cities, and then comes back to finish the party?

their deeds.

Just as with parables,

specific spiritual

fill

allegory.

The

good."

central

meaning of

Now,

Understood this way, the concern about wedding garments is easily solved.

not hard to find. final

covenant between

In early Christianity, conversion to faith

man

family,

in

Jesus Christ was

commonly

referred

on a new set of clothes. have several examples of this

the

Testament.

ample, says that tized into Christ

St.

we are

this

in the

one

is

new and

God and the

hu-

invited to clothe our-

selves in the patience, meekness, kind-

ness and compassion of God (Col 3:12).

to as putting

We New

mean-

ings in every detail of an

the banquet hall with every-

one, "the bad as well as the

of them.

has puzzled others

besides your husband.

earth,

Lord by

relates through

you prophets, he affirms, including John the Baptist, and a whole stream of sent

Therefore, others from outside the

could a good king condemn people for coming improperly dressed to a wedding feast they didn even know about?

It

ity to

clearly an alle-

is

gory.

these images the history of

Jesus responds with three stories.

deal.

How

"wear" His way of

authority are you doing these

things?" and to their rejection of Him and

in

Paul, for ex-

all who have been baphave clothed themselves

Our condition at the end will depend on how faithfully we have worn that clothing.

Questions for

with him. (Gal 3:27)

this

column should be

This was a symbolic way of stating that those who identify themselves with

sent to Father Dietzen at Holy Trinity

Christ in baptism accept the responsibil-

III.

Church, 704 N. Main 61701.

St.,

Bloomington,

Family Matters Elieen

My

Favorite Things the back seat of our van, the

From

sweet and melodic voice of my five-yearold daughter Teresa, sings along to The

mother

is

never sick; she's only been

in

the hospital to have her six children.

My "It's

mother

will

be the

first to say,

not that bad; this can be fixed." But

trip to

who marvel at her boundless energy, her zest for life, her enthusiasm for teaching and her remark-

to

able health,

Sound Of Music, which is playing on the tape deck. We're taking an unexpected see my mother and I'm trying hard simply think of "My Favorite Things," but Teresa is having much more success at the moment than I am.

Many of my favorite things originate with my mother, and it's difficult to think of her at the moment because I'm worThe day before my father called me with some upsetting news. My mother fell on some black ice in her ried about her.

driveway, she broke her hip and had surgery. Teresa and I are on our way to the hospital

where

or five days. to think

of

be for the next four such an unusual feeling

she'll

It's

mom

in the hospital.

My

for the rest of us

it's

almost impossible to con-

my

mother keeping still. I'm accustomed to having a mother in motemplate tion.

curs

And as listen to Teresa sing, it octo me that Mother Superior's song I

about her young novice, Maria, succinctly captures my concerns about my mother's recovery: "How do you keep a wave upon the sand?"

My mother is a giver. Long before volunteerism was "in" my mother was the spark for her own "thousand points of lights program" in her family, church and community. She taught English as a

Marx second language

in

One of the ways my mother has made an ex-

a

church basement and as a Red Cross volunteer, she taught thousands of children to swim and dive at the township lake. Mom's special concern for senior citizens led her to volunteer at her town's "Dial-A-Ride"

program and

traordinary difference

for the Little

Sisters of the Poor.

When

I

look

at

1

my

mother

I

see so

clearly the person that Jesus asks each

of us to be

.

is

through her 20-year involvement with the Christian Service Program (CSP) at De Paul Diocesan High School in Wayne, N.J. For nine years my mother worked as a volunteer in this program and for the past years she has served as the program's director. In the CSP program, every high

Without any fanfare or

fuss,

school senior

is

required to give one-and-

but always with a happy heart and a

a-half hours of Christian Service each

my mother lives out the Gospel every day of her life. She sees a need, and using the talents and gifts she's been blessed with, she reaches out and makes a difference to hearts in need of healing and souls in need of soothing.

week. The students visit the elderly at nursing homes, tutor children at elementary schools, play and read to children at day care centers and offer assistance to

childlike spirit,

See Marx, page 13

6 The Catholic

&

News

Herald

March

Mary Thomas Burke To Receive 1 997 Beatty Award

Sister

— Catholic

CHARLOTTE

Social

Services will present the Sixth Annual

Colonel Francis

Mercy

Sister

Beatty

J.

Award

to

Mary Thomas Burke at a March 19 at

reception and award dinner the Westin Hotel.

The award was established and named for the

in 1991 Colonel Beatty, a

late

has been on the faculty

levels.

This includes Mercy Hospital;

AIDS

Project;

Child Care Resources; and Mecklenburg Ministries,

among

others.

dards: in the military, the cotton textile

For outstanding service to the community, the annual Spirit Award will be

industry, the trucking business, through

presented in recognition of outstanding

Rotary, Johnson C. Smith University, the

volunteer service to CSS. Receiving the

National Conference of Christians and

award on behalf of the Adoption Auxiliary, a core group of adoptive families, will be Valerie Smith, Gail Timmes and

Jews, the tal

Boy Scouts and various

hospi-

boards.

award include James W. Babb, Jr.; Charles L. "Chuck" Grace; Ray S. Farris, Jr.; John C. Engler; Past recipients of the

and Peter Keber.

"Sister ies all

Mary Thomas Burke embod-

those rich, selfless qualities ex-

emplified by the late Col. Beatty, through

com-

her effective leadership, inspiring

mitment

and high principles

to her faith,

of volunteerism for the benefit of diverse

CSS Board of Advi-

communities," said sors

Chairman Paul Franz

in

making

the

announcement.

Sidney Stewart.

CSS

in Charlotte is a professional

social service

agency providing services

without regard to religious affiliation since 1948. Assistance is provided in pregnancy support, individual and marriage counseling, substance abuse prevention and adoption.

Media

personality

Mike

A member of the

Sisters of

is

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in

A

"We're now facing a culture

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Pictured above are Bishop Curlin, center; Father Gilvey, far right; and the

and be refreshed. For information, call Cindy Yoham, (704) 6658249 or Nancy Sparacino, (704) 2550095.

The Diocese

if

our lives with His presence through the Eucharist, then nothing urge you not to go through life with emptiness. Fill it with Christ.

fills

relax

Consider

your churches, but don't take

pastoral council.

Living Waters time to reflect,

at the

to

lieve that

mem-

PUT YOUR GIFTS

'Go

nies.

experience the risen Jesus the weekReflection Center.

concerns college-aged Catholics face. things too seriously,'" Bishop Curlin said during his homily. "But

—

at

lates of St. Francis de Sales Father John Gilvey. The bishop also blessed and dedicated the group's fellowship house, and spent time sharing with the students about

serve as the evening's master of ceremo-

Women's Emmaus Retreat MAGGIE VALLEY Come and end of April 11-13

—

GREENSBORO Bishop William G. Curlin recently visited with the CathoStudent Fellowship of Greensboro, which comprises students attending the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Guilford College and Greensboro College.

Bishop Curlin celebrated Mass with the students and their campus minister, Oblic

Collins will

tions or information, call

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Welcome

March

7,

Entertainment

eos

The following are home videocassette reviews from the U.S. Catholic Conference Office for Film and Broadcasting. Each videocassette is available on VHS format.

Theatrical movies on video have a U.S. Catholic Conference classification and Motion Picture Association of America rating. All reviews indicate the appropriate age group for the video audience.

"Adventures from the Book of

"Jesus of Nazareth" (1977)

Virtues" (1996) animated halfhour programs based on William j.

PBS

series of six

Bennett's anthology of classic stories

from around the world, each episode grouping the tales on one of the followhonesty, courage, work, ing themes responsibility, compassion and self- discipline. The episodes center on Zach, 11, and Annie, 10, who listen to their wise animal friends tell stories which have lasted through the centuries in Saturday morning cartoon fashion and with emphasis on the moral of each tale.

Entertainment the whole family can enjoy and learn from.

—

Award- winning

television dramatiza-

Sparkling screen version of a

mu-

based loosely on the Gospel according to Matthew, featuring an offBroadway cast with Victor Garber as the Christ figure and David Haskell as both John the Baptist and Judas. What makes

parables in imaginative skits,

many

himself Donnie Brasco under his wing,

scale in a realistic setting rich in period

Lefty vouches for him to his boss Sonny

enhances the drama's credibility while being entirely faithful to the Gospel account. The result achieves a spiritual dimension uncommon in most such works. For all members of the family. (Videos with Values, (800) 233-4692, detail that

Taking the younger man

life

within her religious

the

meaning of her

community and way" to spiri-

"little

winning perfor-

mance by France Descaut

in the title role

rating

America. (Ivy

—

Classics, $29.95)

eos with Values, (800) 233-4692, $14.99)

calls

Black (Michael Madsen) and fellow solNicky (Bruno Kirby) and Paulie (James Russo). Soon Donnie is witness-

ing their assorted brutal crimes, including murder, and

all

the time he's wear-

ing a wire.

when he goes with

a serious, largely

who

diers

This proves nearly

$49.99)

and fine use of the visuals to convey the period and the interior life of a young girl who became a saint. Dubbed. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is AI general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of

fatal for

Donnie

the wiseguys to a

Japanese restaurant where the maitre d' insists he remove his shoes, which would expose his recorder. Only Donnie's quick thinking saves his neck by bringing out the gangsters' racial prejudice

sure in beating up anyone

and plea-

who

"The English Patient" Best Actor

Cruise in "Jerry Maguire"

Cuba Gooding

Jr.

Maguire"

since the

ing to suspect the agent

and has

FBI

is in

lost his perspective.

is

is start-

too deep

After years

fed up with only spo-

Mcguire" and "The English

engrossing.

Gangster films are commonplace, but this one sharply delineates three char-

main

of role before and he makes Lefty a real

Academy

person,

Awards,

to

televised

Office for Film

Gem

Pare

and Broadcasting.

©1997 CNS

Graphics

24.

be

March

acters:

into the

someone bitter that he never rose

mob

hierarchy but with a soft

side for Donnie,

of

role, but

—

—

—

is

Madsen

frightening to watch.

good choice

cover torney

is

is

as the rising crime boss

nearly

who

blown by a

district at-

greets his fellow law en-

forcement officer by his real name and is pained by Donnie's lightning-fast re-

Rocco

who gives him more at-

ciation of

or his fellow hoods.

stricted.

Yet Newell never sentimentalizes or

Sisto plays a Florida un-

—

tention and respect than his junkie son

glamorizes any of the wiseguys; they are CNS graphic by Anthony DeFeo

showy

who never lets any personal feeling cloud his nose for money and power.

A section of the film recounts the hoods' aborted attempt to set up shop in Miami, where once again Donnie's

categories of the

Conference

at the center

whose three little daughters scarcely know their dad.

All comes to a head when Sonny and

Anthony Minghella for "The English Patient"

Picks selected by

much

action.

Patient" for four

of the U.S. Catholic

very

a

of the

"The Mirror Has Two Faces"

is

the story. Pacino has the

radic night visits from her husband,

Best Director

in

dilemma

that

flict is intensified

Donnie, veteran soldier Lefty, and Donnie's long-neglected wife, Maggie.

Pacino, of course, has done this kind

Lauren Bacall

Maggie, a woman deeply in love with her good-guy husband, but furious that he puts the job before any responsibility to his children and their marriage.

The audience is made to imagine what it must be like to have to be both mother and father to three little girls for seven long years, with no apologies from a stoic husband who is internalizing all his feelings and treating her as someone who must simply obey and never question him.

Depp does a stretch with this role into a fully adult persona whose moral

dercover agent whose hammy eagerness to do the job is in deliciously sharp contrast to how Donnie approached it.

The violence is at times shocking, but not overindulged in, and the film is most satisfying in its examination of what doing a noble and dangerous job can do to an individual's priorities and own sense of identity.

Because of brief, graphic violence, a flash of nudity, intermittent profanity and much rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is AIII adults. The Motion Picture Asso-

likes "Jerry

Best Supporting Actress

Giving a heart-rending perforis Heche's long-suffering

With the emphasis solidly on character as opposed to shootouts, director Mike Newell's account of Agent Pistone's double life is never less than

Broadcasting,

in "Jerry

by mercilessly

surrogate son.

and Best Supporting Actor

his true nature

reviewer for the U.S. Catholic Office of Film

"Fargo"

shows

— and

when he

repulsed

Gerri Pare, film

Conference Best Actress in

under his belt

left

(Anne Heche)

Donnie's own sense of identity as a husband, father and G-man is retreating further and further into his psyche. He's had to make the mob his family to do the job.

Donnie's closeness to Lefty only makes the fact that he is betraying him a bitter pill to swallow. His personal con-

—

Best Picture

McDormand

kills

viewers will be

of posing as a single loner, Donnie's wife

With time, the world-weary Lefty comes to love Donnie like a son, even as

Donnie is ordered to make his first hit by killing one rival's vengeance-crazed son, and Lefty joins him to ensure he makes the hit but hints that he now has good reason to suspect his trusted

Oscar Picks

Frances

has nearly 30

Depp's character must keep all his cards to himself for sheer survival and he keeps us wondering what he will do next as he becomes more and more conflicted and confides in no one.

This uncertainty as to what he will do next helps maintain a level of suspense throughout the story, which is based on Pistone's book, written with Richard Woodley.

Newell captures the seedy Brooklyn settings and the minutiae of daily life in a mob hangout quite realistically the boring down-time, punctuated by sudden violence at a moment's notice

dared to

order any of them to do anything.

his underlings slay a trio of rivals.

Tom

the pathetic Lefty rather likable,

mance

which serve as springboards for irresistible tunes, such as "Day by Day" and "God Save the People!" The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-I general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America

G — general audiences. (Vid-

make

but never glosses over the fact that he

tried to cheat Lefty.

Robert Powell giving an approperformance as Jesus.

Directed by Franco Zeffirelli, the 37 1 minute production is mounted on an epic

tual perfection, with a

—

based crime film, "Donnie Brasco."

FBI Special Agent Joseph Pistone (Johnny Depp) gets his entree into a New York mob family in 1978 when he im-

always seen as lowlifes who only succeed by virtue of brutal brawn and bloodshed. Pacino has the talent to

ish actor

successful attempt to picture the saint's

of

— An under-

(CNS)

priately intense

through the Resurrection, with Brit-

Andre Haguet makes

movie so high-spirited is director David Greene's turning the entire city of New York into a giant stage which is used strikingly for presenting the the

NEW YORK

cover agent's odyssey into mob life exacts a daunting personal price in the fact-

executing a lifelong friend.

ity

Engrossing French production dramatizing the life of the saint known as the Little Flower who entered the Carmelite cloister at Lisieux at the age of 1 4, died of tuberculosis in 1 897 at age 24 and was canonized in 1925. Director

sical

Gangster Movie Has An Emphasis On Character

presses lifelong mob soldier Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino) with his smarts and toughness in dealing with someone who

from the Nativ-

tion of the life of Christ

"Miracle of Saint Therese" (1959)

"Godspell" (1973)

is

& Herald 7

The Catholic News

1997

America

rating

is

R

—

re-

8

The Catholic News

& Herald

March

there a hotline to God's protection?

7,

1997

Is

By Father W. Thomas Faucher Catholic News Service I

once read an old folk story about

young girl tormented by a wicked aunt. The aunt's goal is to get posa

session of the girl's inheritance.

As the story unfolds, the village elder agrees that if the girl can do one task right, she will get the legacy; if not, it goes to the aunt.

All

from a mountaintop, across a river, through a forest, over a canyon and up the side of a second mountain to save himself and his kingdom. One might think he would be transported magically to the second mountain by an eagle or something, but this tale

A young person runs away, gets involved with drugs, prostitution.

Somewhere there is a parent or grandparent praying for God's pro-

is different.

Covenant House,

The prince begins

his adventure by praying for God's help and protec-

Then the prince meets a man who teaches him to swim, and thus tion.

tection for this lost child.

God doesn't whisk the child home, but God inspires people to give to

or the Youth Hotline or some other agency. And the youth ultimately finds a refuge with people who care, who bring life

back

to

him

contents copyright Š1 997 by

CNS

the feast of the Ascension of the Lord. This feast reminds us that while Jesus left us, we should realize he is still here with us as we work with and help each other.

I admit there is part of me that sometimes wishes God would protect me as in the story of the girl and the wool that God would just come

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

and wonderfully exactly as

I

fulfill

my

wishes

express them.

or her.

Or again, as a diffipregnancy comes to

cult

many prayers are offered for God's protection for mother and term,

"Outside of folk stories rare that

God

it is

directly

child.

God does not child from the

the

lift

womb

by magic. Rather, God has for years guided into

medicine

men

and

women who are competent and caring, and who work

because of its life values, and there the child

black.

Finally, the girl prays for God's help and protection.. Then God appears, exchanges the black wool for

he crosses the river. He meets a man who teaches him to find his way through the dense forest.

He meets a man who teaches him to make a bridge from logs, and so he makes it over the mountain. Finally he meets a man who teaches

wool white as sparkling crystal, and

him

the girl is saved.

In another folk story, a young Russian prince must make his way

goat,

is to take a bundle of dirty wool to the river and clean it. But the aunt substitutes wool from a black sheep for the dirty wool.

Naturally, no matter how much the girl works, the wool remains

1

Nutshell Will Yes,

God protect us? but God also

gives us free will.

Scripture says dozens of times not to be afraid.

Often God's protection arrives through others and the everyday events in

our lives.

advantage and

God

protection....

gives us graces through

situations

and people."

in a hospital

committed to the Gospel. The couple deliberately have chosen a particular medical center

The task

manipulates events for our

But most of the time I appreciate God's way of wanting us to be ennobled, given our dignity, honored for our gifts and talents, complimented for our intelligence. For

mountain and he makes it up the mountain and saves to ride a

everyone.

Both these folk stories are about how God protects people. In the first story God simply takes over and does what needs to be done. This is the simple, often erroneous image we have of God as our protector.

Much more

often

God responds

to

by giving us guides, mentors, opportunities to help ourselves.

Outside of folk stories it is rare that God directly manipulates events for our advantage and protection. The old theological maxim that "grace builds on nature" teaches us that God gives us graces through

our

call for protection

situations and people. In them we then find the help we need. God is

usually very subtle.

Look at a few examples.

CNS

is

born safely.

These are examples of how God

usually protects us. God uses the opportunities we have to learn, love, grow, develop, mature. God uses the people around us, the occasions for goodness, the decisions we make.

Church theology recognizes the hand of God in the people around us.

Coupled with God's presence in the sacraments and in Scripture, this reinforces our belief that God is present in the everyday things of our

photo by Jacque Brund

that is what God does in using nature and people and experience and life as means of responding to our prayers.

God "graces" us. And God's grace comes to us through the sacraments, the Scriptures, the community, the

world in which we live.

What we have to do

is learn to recognize grace when it comes to us.

We are well protected by God in thousands of ways, though we are often not aware what those ways

lives.

We magic;

do not believe in a God of we believe in a God of love

and community.

We

even celebrate this reality on

(Father Faucher is a priest of the Diocese of Boise, Idaho, on assignment in the Diocese of Baker, Ore.)

March

The Catholic News

1997

7,

FAITH

God

By Mary

Pedersen

Miller

News

Catholic

Service

line for.

remember an old TV commercial which a child walked around the house with an "invisible __ shield" magically placed around him by the toothpaste he used that morning. I thought that was what God is like for us: a shield.

For a child, it was a comforting I

Once we abandon the childhood notion that God is the great Sears cata-

in

thought.

It

lasted until

*

I

ill

my first when I

who addon't need a lesson." Within a quarter mile, I crashed. I made the rest of the down on a

trip

You

Jesus'

my

children

began

to understand what kind of protection God provides us. No, God hadn't been on vacation when I spoke my prayer on that mountaintop.

did risky things,

I

I realized that much of the harm that had come to me in life or was coming to my children resulted from our own choices: God protects us, and God gives us the gift of free will.

In many instances, we bring on our own catastrophes, though not always willfully. Deciding what seems best or

But

— —

I

thought God

protective shield "It lasted until

experience

like a

around

my

when

down from

is

first

I

us.

skiing

shooshed

a Colorado

mountaintop with the words, 'Oh God, help

me/"

messes.

There also are times, however, decisions and

when we make good

take every precaution, yet something terrible

A baby dies of SIDS;

happens:

photo by Kenneth

logue in the sky from which we can order whatever we want, we enter the mystery of how evil can exist in the face of God's power.

This is one of the great quandaries for every believer.

Every Sunday stories are heard at Mass about God's faithful protection.

God crushes the Philistines, drowns the Egyptians, saves Jonah from the whale's belly.

Jesus cures the leper, restores sight to the blind.

Jesus' Father actually raises him from the dead.

No wonder we proclaim that nothing is impossible with God! No wonder we pray for God's pro-

— —

tection.

We

pray because we reach the limits of our understanding and may be confused.

In such prayer we assume the posture of a creature totally dependent on the Creator a very wise

—

A woman prayed during Mass recently for her daughter, in

I

told her afterward that

she had given voice

who was

a what was

taking

to precisely

my mind.

always have in mind one of my children who is taking a test, driving a car somewhere or making an important decision. Often my prayer is that she will be protected from harm or pain or unhappiness.

What can I say?! I'm a father. In part, I'm in the protection business. But I

—

Is

help.

anyone who doesn't pray sometimes for God's protection? know God doesn't take the child's test or eliminate all suffering from a

there

Yes, child's

But

I

life.

God

support the child, invite out the best in the child in risky hope out to the child when things look bleak, help the child find her way to trustworthy, caring people when problems seem insoluble.

And what if God sometimes works through others to protect my child (or, when one door closes, to open another)? Then part of my prayer should be that, when asked, I will return the favor by giving support or offering good reasons for hope to another child. will

situations, hold

I

went

a 360-degree turn, spinning across four lanes of rushhour traffic before came to a stop

David Gibson, Editor, Faith Alive!

into

I

without hitting anyone or anything. believe was protected."

Sister Betty Dunkel, D.C., Gallup, N.M.

—

I

I

"Recently, our community has gone through devastating floods, and we turned to God for protection.... Our prayers were answered and we were grateful to return

homes after being stranded for six days."

Megan Overgaard, Weiser, Idaho safely to our

—

An upcoming

edition asks:

How do

family members show that they respect each other? If you would like to respond for possible publication,

tion plan than that anywhere!

Poertner

please write: Faith Alive! 3211 Fourth

A\

(Pedersen is coordinator of the Leadership in Family Life Training Program for the Archdiocese of

/ ri r<

N.E.,

f—

*

St.

Washington, D.C.

20017-1100.

)

Omaha, Neb.)

Getting a handle on fear

By Father John J. Castelot Catholic News Service Fear

is

a built-in warning system,

alerting people to danger and moving them to avoid it or resist it. So fear can be good. But if not controlled, fear can

defeat

its

purpose and paralyze

people.

In some circumstances fear degenerates into paranoia, an irrational state in which danger is perceived as lurking around every corner.

How do Christians control fear so that it doesn't get out of hand?

In biblical times people's confidence in divine help sprang from their repeated experience of God's saving help.

God had demonstrated practical concern for them in so many ways!

Our confidence in divine help also can grow if we learn to recognize the ways God has helped us in the past.

People in biblical times looked to God almost instinctively. Listen to this cry for God's help in what was a frightening situation. "Look down from heaven and regard us from your holy and glorious palace!... You, Lord, are our father, our redeemer you are

named

forever" (Isaiah 63:15-16).

would be hard to read the book of Psalms without remarking that it is replete with calls for rescue from personal and societal dangers. Actually, the psalm writers often were frightened by

get you" (Isaiah 49:15).

But while God loves us deeply, this does not mean that all our problems will be divinely resolved without any help on our part. In the Bible, it was

always God working with the individual.

As a colloquial modern prayer has it, "There ain't nothing gonna happen today that you and I together can't handle." In terms of seeking God's protection, it is a matter of me and God together.

St. Paul experienced a sense of strong confidence in divine help. He knew well his weakness and vulnerability and had every reason for fear. "I

have the strength for everything through him who empowers me" (Philippians 4:13). He wrote those words from the seeming hopelessness of a prison

cell!

"What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

(Romans 8:31). Paul didn't expect life to be a breeze or never to have cause for fear. But Paul had confidence that God would see him through if he trusted

—

and was

patient.

"We know good

that

for those

who

8:28). All things,

work for God" (Romans

things

all

love

even misfortunes!

It

events: national calamities; bloodthirsty enemies; religious persecution.

What if a situation feels hopeless

and God seems unconcerned? Then Scripture reassures us, saying: "Can a mother forget her

s

I

proves that. The

for protection

I

need

c

—

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

test that day.

"Last Thursday, prayed for safety on a cross-state trip, and during the drive hit an ice slip and

certainly

You can't get a better proteccns

I

—

afraid!"

We pray because we fear for the safety or welfare of those we love. easiest at the time can get us into big

life

I

I

Father raised Jesus up. God turns death into new life. That fuels our prayer.

The song "Be Not Afraid" sums it up simply: "If you stand before the power of hell and death is at your side, know that I am with you through it all.... Be not

sled escorted by

ski-patrol medics.

Years later when

"Being a principal in an elemenam very careful in how handle people, and pray constantly that God will protect me from misunderstanding so that the problem I'm trying to solve will be handled in the best interest of all concerned. And God always answers my prayers."

Evelyn Bernier, Manchester, N.H.

tary school,

need protection from it.

So remember that the words "with us" mean Jesus walks alongside us when we're distressed. Darkness will be transformed into light.

to friends

vised: "It's easy.

We

for "protection"?

answered?

fortune will avoid us. But

uncertainties.

THE MARKETPLACE

How was your prayer

whatever happens, we will not need to face it alone.

Despair would be a great enemy when facing dangers and

skiing experience shooshed down from a Colorado mountaintop with the words, "Oh God, help me."

I'd never been on skis and rode

up listening

God

posture to assume.

As Christians who inherited the Scriptures and the church's rich teachings, we know that God loves us and cares for us unconditionally. More than 100 times Scripture tells us not to be afraid; God is with us. The words "with us" do not guarantee that sickness and

a tornado wipes out our business; someone else gets the job we were in

Herald 9

When have you turned to

not a great order catalogue in the sky

is

IN

&

infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb?

Even should she forget, I will never for-

(Father Castelot

is

scholar, author, teacher All

contents copyright

©1997 by CNS

a Scripture

and

lecturer.)

10

The Catholic News

&

Herald

March

People In The Curley Will Retire As Head Of Catholic Health Association ST. LOUIS (CNS) John E.

Cardinal Ugo Poletti, Former Papal Vicar Of Rome, Dies At 82 VATICAN CITY (CNS) Cardinal

has announced his intention

Ugo Poletti, the papal vicar of Rome during a period of stormy public debate

—

Curley

Jr.

—

and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, effective June 1998. "It is with mixed emotions that I choose to retire," said Curley. He said he and his wife, Terry, both natives of Sacramento, Calif., look forward to retirement as "a happy event" and to returning to their home state. But his role with CHA has been "more than a career," he said. "It's been my vocation." He has been presito retire as president

dent of

CHA

on moral issues, died of a heart attack at age 82. In a telegram marking the cardinal's death, Pope John Paul II praised him as an attentive and energetic pastor, sensitive to the call for renewal in society and the church. Cardinal Poletti died Feb. 25 shortly after entering Rome's Gemelli Hospital for tests.

Pope, Buddhist Leader Discuss Catholic-Buddhist Ties VATICAN CITY (CNS) The

—

Catholic Journalist Wins

Amnesty

International Award TORONTO (CNS) For the second year in a row, journalist Cathy Majtenyi of The Catholic Register has

won

an

award

human

for excellence in the coverage of

was

very, very

honored," she said in a Canadian Catholic News interview Feb. 25. "I have the

The school of Buddhism which

events with globally recognized figures

"Products

this recognition

made on

is

the master represents, the

and heads of state. It gained notoriety in the United States recently because of a scandal over inappropriate campaign contributions to the Democratic Party.

the back of exploited

workers," appeared

in the July

1

issue

of The Catholic Register, a national

newspaper based

in

others called for the forgiveness of his attacker, while another victim

Toronto.

no bad feelings

said he harbored

to-

the shooter.

Patric Demange, a 44-year-old French tourist who was injured

along with his wife, Virginie, said

am

a Catholic and

intensive care at St. Vincent's Hos-

a real

and

killed

Venerable Master Hsing Yun said he and Pope John Paul II prayed together and traded ideas about how the two religions can work more closely to promote world peace.

Interna-

Empire State Building that one person and injured six

ing at the

in a statement: "I

honor." Majtenyi's award-winning story,

tional,

Amnesty

— A man

it is

Fokuangshan Buddhist Order, has branches worldwide and frequently arranges high-profile

highest regard for

(CNS)

severely injured in the Feb. 23 shoot-

Taiwan had a first-ever audience with the pope in late February in

to discuss Catholic-Buddhist ties.

Amnesty International-Canada rights issues. "I

By STEPHEN STEELE

NEW YORK

leader of a global Buddhist organization

headquartered

—

News

Empire State Shooting Victim Calls For Forgiveness Of Attacker

ward

since 1979.

This prayer card, featuring an icon of Mary and Jesus by Jesuit Father Marko Ivan Rupnik, will be distributed for World Youth Day 1997. The priest said he calls the piece "Holy Mother of Yes" because "love is a yes."

1997

7,

important to forgive."

Demange and

his wife we're in

CNS

photo by Chris Sheridan, Catholic

and Medical Center after the fire on the 86th floor observation deck of the landmark skyscraper. The couple had been among about 100 tourists and sightseers from different states and countries who had been admiring the view that pital

gunman opened

FOUR GREAT NAMES

KNOW

After opening

Ali

fire,

Abu Kamal,

a 69-year-old Palestinian from Ramallah, in the

In the chaos of the shooting, at least people were injured from trampling, including an 1 8-month-old girl and her 5-month-old brother.

Hector Mendez, from St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in the Bronx, was shot in the thigh while running from the six

gunman.

Sitting in a wheelchair during the

Feb. 24 press conference at

Mendez

St. Vincent's,

told reporters that he bore

Mendez was

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hard feelings for the gunman.

"I don't hate him," he said. "I mean, he shouldn't have hurt innocent people because we didn't do anything to him." ing to save his 9-year-old daughter

MITSUBISHI

York

Sunday afternoon.

West Bank, fatally shot himself head on the crowded floor.

to

New

Hector Mendez of the Bronx describes his ordeal as one of the victims of a Feb. 23 attack on tourists at the Empire State Building.

Independence (704) 535-4455

said.

Once

go

to

the girl

started running.

run to me, but I Go inside,'" he appeared safe, he

inside.

He

then

felt a sharp,

and ducked into another exit. His daughter ran to him screaming, "Daddy, you've been shot."

Mendez limped down three floors and pounded on a door where he was let in by a security guard, unaware of the mayburning pain

in his thigh

hem occurring upstairs.

Mendez was visiting

Empire

the

E.

State Building with his wife,

daughter, Iriana.

THE

qpoiNjE DEALERSHIPS SERVING CHARLOTTE WITH INTEGRITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! Frank LaPointe, President Member of St. Gabriel Church

time he'll

It

visit the

was

the

and

Iris,

first

and

last

tower, he said.

The patience and serenity of the three who were rushed to St.

shooting victims

Vincent's impressed Sister Margaretta Brock, a Sister of Charity and patient

who was assisting in emergency room on the night of representative

the

the

shooting.

"I

was taken by

their

goodness and

their cooperation," Sister

Brock

told

Catholic New York, the archdiocesan newspaper.

1

March

7,

The Catholic News

1997

& Herald

Vatican To Issue Limited Editions

Sex Education:

Of Gold Coins For Millennium

The Bible can be our guide in a country that sometimes seems obsessed with casual and uncommitted sex.

VATICAN CITY (CNS)

— For

at least

be a golden jubilee.

The Vatican City Numismatic Office is issuing a series of gold coins to commemorate the millennium, officials announced Feb. 21.

Ten coins, to be released in pairs each year is

By MSGR.

one Vatican department, the year 2000

Late

to

coming

starting in the

months, will be issued in numbers no greater than 6,000 per coin. They are to be made available singly and as a set.

On only a handful of occasions has the Vatican produced gold coins; the last time

was

in 1959.

"And

we

don't

know whether this

prac-

tice will continue," said

Rosalio

Cardinal

Castillo Lara, president

of the Pontifical

Com-

mission for Vatican City

no guar-

State.

"There

antee.

Maybe it will conmaybe not."

is

JAMES A. CARTER

summer, our country was

witness to a sorry spectacle.

One

of the

chief political advisors to the president

of the United States was alleged to have been involved intimately with- a woman alleged to have shared with her national

He

secrets.

later publicly

national television.

wrong? an

Is

it

apologized on

Was what he

did so

a sin to be involved in such

such a relationship? convinced that people do not the answers to these questions. Our

affair, I

know

am

confused society with no national consensus as to what is right and what is wrong. Yet, we wonder why our families are falling apart, why more than one-third of our children are growing up in single family homes, and why our children are sexually active at younger and younger ages.

We seem to have a national obsession with unhealthy approaches to sex.

Turn on your television, open up national magazines, listen to the latest popular song. Casual and uncommitted sex is a society

is

a morally

least

The

one coin

photo from the Vatican

biblical

answer

to the question

If

parents will seize the

much

franker

and more fruitful discussions with their children and can help them put sex into a healthier perspective. While there are young people who have a healthy, Christian sense

of their sexuality,

we

should

fear for our society as a whole.

Our sexual

nature

is

interrelated with

one man committed to one We need to teach this to our children. A teen-ager and his grandfather were discussing the facts of life. The younger man said, "Gee, Granddad, your generation didn't have all these social diseases. What did you wear to have safe sex?" The wise old gentleman replied, "a wedding ring."

Minutes from The Arboretum Serving the People of Mecklenburg and Union Counties

Kuzma, Director

place.

for a lifetime.

The wrongness of both positions is selfevident. Why then can we not see

It's

some of our never know the joy of

disheartening that

young people

will

a special and exclusive sexual relation-

ship with a

member

No amount

of playing the field can sub-

of the opposite sex.

The best oral contracepwhen you are young and unmarried "No."

who need

woman

principle as well.

The old

to

rule.

be taught

Some

cliche,

of

this

"Don't

do as I do, do as I say I do," is dishonest and doesn't cut it.

There was a letter in Ann Landers sometime back that went like this: "Dear Ann: I have been sleeping

women for several months. few days ago, none of them knew that the others existed, and things were going fine. By chance, two of them met each other, compared notes, and found me out. Now they are furious with me.

What am going to do? P.S. Please don't give me any of your moral junk. Signed: Trapped."

910-760-0565

— Administrators

please."

—

thing

wrong when he consorted

all that

first

Corinthians,

St.

"Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute?

Never! Do you not know that he who I

Unfortunately, our young people are

man/one

I

which we offer God praise. They are to be kept pure and wholesome as a fit dwelling place for that which is Divine.

St. Paul answers my original question: Did the president's advisor do any-

Paul writes:

the word,

whomever

through the argument that, "This is my body; I will use it however I choose."?

No, our bodies are gifts for God. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to honor vessels through God with our bodies

tive

I

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with a prostitute? In

Until a

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our adults need to be reminded of

Consultants

There is much that is healthy about more open attitude toward our ap-

of sex

not the only ones

Funeral Service

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will

to

At

constant theme.

is

PHONE

a

it

it.

part of our humanity.

Williams-Dearborn

Member of St. Matthew

doubtful that

event.

is

each year is to feature a view of one of the four major basilicas of Rome, traditional stops for pilgrims to the Eternal City. An additional pair of coins to be issued in the year 2000 is to depict a religious theme. Each coin is to bear a picture of Pope John Paul II. On one of the first two in the series is an image of the door the pope is to open to mark the start of the Holy Year.

The coins' face value will be 50,000 lire and 100,000 lire, currently about $30 and $60, but their price is higher: $182 and $364, respectively, for the first two.

Collectors who opt to purchase the entire set of 10 also receive a box in which to display them and a limited-edition, annual publication describing all the coins, stamps, envelopes and mail-grams the Vatican produces for the coming four years.

The brochure mentions no financial incentive for buying the set.

Pier Paolo Francini, head of the Numismatic Office, said true collectors will need no additional incentive, explaining, "It is clear that this unique and splendid presentation will be attractive for anyone who understands coins."

Steve

It is

ever be contained again. So be

Sex is one of God's most beautiful There is nothing inherently bad about it. We don't have to be prudish but we have lost our perspective about this

tion

Dr.,

out of the bottle.

gifts.

dinal added, the collec-

Lawn

—

bound to increase in value because it marks a singular historic

Regardless, the car-

3700 Forest

was

other than his wife. Furthermore, he

Surveys show that attitudes among church members are not much different from those of the world at large. Sex for many people has become just another recreational tool not a gift from God for the uniting of one man to one woman for the building up of the human family.

The consequences of that former attitude are taking a toll on our society.

I'm not suggesting that we go back to the old days when sex was something people whispered about behind closed doors. The genie of sexual openness is

our spiritual nature; the two cannot be separated. There is no moral or biblical ground for the person who says, "It's my body, and I can do with it as I please."

Think about it for a moment. No one says, "This is my environment. If I want

tinue,

CNS

last

1

Ann Landers answered

like this:

"Dear Trapped: The one thing that separates the human race from animals is a God-given sense of morality. Since you don't have one, I strongly suggest you consult a veterinarian."

becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, 'The two shall become one flesh.' But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.... Do you not know that your body is the temple to the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought for a price. So glorify God in your body."

joins himself to a prostitute

There

it

is

— the

truth that contra-

dicts our popular obsession with un-

unwholesome sex: "You are own; you have been purchased, what a price! So glorify God in

healthy and not your

and at your body."

Reprinted with permission from The

New Catholic

Miscellany, newspaper of

the Diocese of Charleston.

Monsignor James A. Carter

is

pas-

tor of Christ Our King Church in Mount Pleasant, S.C., and vicar for clergy for the

Diocese of Charleston.

4

12

The Catholic News

&

March

Herald

1997

7,

Mercy Foundation Awards Grants To Area Organizations —

BELMONT Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation recently an-

accredited child care development cen-

nounced grant awards totalling nearly $535,000 to 13 non-profit organizations serving Mecklenburg, Gaston, Union and Iredell Counties in North Carolina. These awards are being made following the

for emotionally troubled children ages 6-

ter

and seven behavioral health programs

12.

The

grant will help provide for the

renovation of an existing campus building to be used as a residential cottage for children.

Catherine's House, Belmont, will

close of the Foundation's first regular

receive $6,000. Catherine's

grant-making cycle.

The grant funds will be used for a wide variety of purposes by the organizations. Supported programs include services for women, children, disabled and homeless persons, support for educational programs for the disadvantaged,

dren

affordable housing, and the implemen-

vides homeless

and expansion of dental clinics for underserved populations.

The Sisters of Mercy Foundation was established in 1995 and now operates from a mission to support non-profit healthcare, educational and social service tation

women

lina.

and in North and South Caroprogram focus is on services

Its

women,

and homeless

women

in a safe, Christian

with chilenvironment.

efit

13 organizations that will ben-

from the Foundation's grantmaking

activities are as follows:

Alexander Children's Home, Charlotte, will receive $10,000. Alexander

Home

Children's

operates a nationally

open Copymatic, a supported employment enterprise (a quick copy business) in Charlotte to will train and employ

The monies

cational and social services for single,

vides therapeutic group and foster care

pregnant young women.

to at-risk children ages

are intended to provide fund-

Florence Crittenton Services, Inc.,

adults with disabilities.

Youth Homes,

Inc., Charlotte, will

Homes,

Inc. pro-

to

Gaston Family Health Service,

strengthen client parenting skills and fol-

Gastonia, will receive $102,413 to be

8-18 who have emotional and behavioral problems.

Since announcing in October, 1996

low-up with

paid over a three-year period. This grant

that

ing for a Children's Services Specialist

who

will assess client children,

work

client children.

Communities

in Schools of

Char-

lotte-Mecklenburg, Charlotte, will

re-

ceive $95,000 over a three-year period.

Schools helps students who are most at risk of academic and social failure to learn successfully, stay in school and prepare for

The

life.

will help

expand

it

was receiving grant applications, awarded grants to-

the Foundation has

their Dental Clinic

which was established in 1995.

Interagency Resource Project,

talling nearly

Gastonia, will receive $10,000. Interagency Resource Project provides hous-

application deadline

ing and

come

employment

zations.

to area organi-

is

April

made

1,

UpcoivtiNq Events

March 1 2 9 a.m. '5 p.M. Coherence on Aqii\q at St Ann Church

Hope" program which pairs individuals or groups from local churches as mentors with disadvantaged persons for a period of at least one year.

Diakonos, Inc., Statesville, will re"Partners in

Upml 25 SpRiNq FliNq at the CathoIIc Coherence Center For more iNfoRMATioN,

caII

Suzanne BacIh

(

704)

5

77-68 7

1

ext. 5

f

R

M

I

Catholic Retirees Imviletl

1©

Special Ministries

Mountains of

Directed by

Roman

Catholics

/ CAMP

kAHDALE\ I

^*

FOR GIRLS

>

MONASTIC GUEST PROGRAM

CAMP

Month long monastic contemplative experience within the

Chosatonga

enclosure of a Trappist-Cistercian community.

Requirements: Ability to live the full monastic schedule.

Prayer

FOR BOYS

A

and grow

Two

and challenging environment where our youth can play, learn

—

in faith together.

mountain camps,

in the heart

of the Blue Ridge, surrounded by

national forest, Whitewater rivers and waterfalls offering:

Rock climbing riding

Work Community Events

place where a child can explore, build self-confidence and self-esteem.

A wholesome

•

archery

gymnastics

•

•

swimming

•

backpacking

tennis

•

•

•

drama* Whitewater canoeing

arts

nature study

•

and crafts

riflery

•

•

mountain biking

team sports

•

• •

&

Solitude Silence All lived within the Community

kayaking

Because of the nature of the Monastic Guest Program, it is available only to men. Our Retreat Program, however, is open both women and men for private retreats.

No offering required

•

and more...

Monastic Guest Program: Br. John Corrigan, O.C.S.O.

VIDEO

Retreat Program: Stephen Petronek, O.C.S.O.

Br.

Mepkin Abbey "I will

lift

up

my

•

HC 69, Box 800

Session lengths available 2,3,4,5,6,9 weeks

eyes to the mountains, from

whence comes my

help."

-

—

horseback

Please, call to review a

Ages 8-17

1

ceive $25,000. This grant will help pro-

NORTH CAROLINA Owned and

1997

in June, 1997.

For information concerning the Foundation, call (704) 366 -0087.

services to low-in-

grant monies will

$756,000

The Foundation's next grant

with decisions being

individuals.

CHRISTIAN SUMMER CAMPS In the Blue Ridge

grant will assist with start-up costs to

receive $5,000. Youth

year period. This grant will assist the

The

Charlotte, will receive $25,000. This

vides shelter, comprehensive health, edu-

president of the Foundation.

to serve those in

United Cerebral Palsy of N.C.,

grant will be used to provide operating funds for Arosa House, a residential facility and treatment program for victims of extreme child abuse and neglect ages

secure transitional housing and services.

need" said Mercy Sister Mary Jerome Spradley,

mission

lim-

three-year period. This organization pro-

be used to fund a position supporting the Think College program.

Crisis Assistance Ministry, Charlotte, will receive $50,000 over a two-

of the Foundation as an extension of our

who have

ited financial resources.

women and families with

In partnership with agencies, businesses,

"The Sisters of Mercy of North

able housing for people

Charlotte, will receive $90,000 over a

volunteers and schools, Communities in

Carolina see the grantmaking activities

porations to build simple, decent, afford-

three-year period. This organization pro-

children, the elderly

served and underserved populations.

underserved persons.

Family Center, Charlotte, will receive $10,000. Family Center was established for the purpose of treating and preventing child abuse and neglect. The

18 months to 10 years.

and the poor. The Foundation is particularly interested in promoting systemic change and the quality of life for un-

benefitting

Union County Habitat for Humanity, Monroe, will receive $38,000.

An ecumenical housing ministry, this organization collaborates with area churches, civic groups, schools and cor-

Charlotte Emergency Housing, Charlotte, will receive $68,360 over a

organizations in the Charlotte metropolitan area

House pro-

vides transitional housing for homeless

The Open Door which provides primary medical and dental care to indigent and vide for a dental clinic in

Clinic,

Psalms 121:1

Route 2 Box 389, Brevard, North Carolina 28712 (704) 884-6834

Corner, SC 29461 (803) 761-8509

Moncks

to

.

March

The Catholic News

1997

7,

HICKORY — The

young people with emotional and physi-

A

dedicated group of 17

LARCUM

May 6-7 at the Catholic Conference Cen-

about their experiences in CSP. My mother often comments that one of the most rewarding aspects of CSP is that

who

at

are struggling at school or

home seem

to shine as they reach out

need through

to help others in

gram of Christian

When

service.

Teresa and

hospital parking

who

this pro-

lot,

pulled into the

I

wondered

I

if

my

much of her-

ter

conference,

and for the

is

conferences and lectures.

as the

leaders with the students as they talk

scheduled for

—

is

a consultant for the U.S. Catholic Bish-

The "Clergy

Stress Its Implications for the Church," directed by Conventual Father Canice Connors, former pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem and former president and CEO of the St.

Luke

Institute in Suitland,

who

clergy conference includes three

presentations:

"Naming

the Issues and

Sources, "Reflecting on the Issues and

Sources

in a Faith

Context," and "Plan-

The

session for lay leaders

is

May

7

burgh, travels nationally to serve as a

congregations assist their clergy.

As we entered

resource person at retreats, workshops,

the hospital,

I

was

also

concerned that she may be in pain or even look different. Not to worry. For the next three hours, my mother held court in her hospital room as my father, a group of wonderful friends, teachers and her principal gathered around her. I'm so grate-

my father and my

ful to

who brought

so

much

was happy

"It

of

At

its

center, a stone

from the birthplace of Jesus Christ!

makes me so

back to your done for us."

The following day my husband, Joe, arrived with my son, Bobby, and "Grandma" played a wild game of Bingo with the kids from her hospital bed. That visit from her grandchildren worked

cherished for generations to

much

come. But remember, the supply

to give this little bit

mother

Available in sterling

after all she's

in

sizes:

This sacred heirloom

of Nativity Stones

After the

first

in the hospital,

I

night of visiting

headed back

to

Mom

my

silver,

22K

gold finish and 14K solid gold, and

Classic (1-3/4" high) and Petite (1-1/4" high).

story of the Nativity Stones.

any of the pain medi-

better than

two

Each Cross comes in an inscribed display box with a registered and numbered Certificate of Authenticity, plus a free video telling the

cation.

Once

is

will

be

limited.

gone

they're gone, they're

forever.

par-

home with Teresa. felt anxious as moved through the house without her

ents' I

gift

to her bed-

My sister-in-law, Allison, who came mom for a week, said what our hearts:

The Bishops' Ecumenical Dialogue

The 9{ativity Cross

parents' friends

to take care of in all

and registration, contact St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 1406 Harper Ave. NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

tion

Celebrate Christ's love with a unique

love and humor,

champagne and doughnuts side.

holds a Ph.D. in

registration fee for the clergy

conference is $10 per person plus meals and lodging. For the lay leaders session, the cost is $5 per person. For informa-

worship services are also included.

Md.

psychology from the University of Pitts-

self

Father Connors,

The

Small-group discussions and

tions."

over the years, will be able to receive from others during her recovery.

has given so

ence.

ning Effective Supports and Interven-

from 7-9 p.m. Father Connors will focus on stresses of clergy and ways to help

mother,

jointly sponsored

lic

ops' Conference.

special session for lay leaders.

The conference theme

is

writes articles

time will include a

first

by the Roman CathoDiocese of Charlotte, the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Western N.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church. The bishops of their respective denominations will host the confer-

He speaks and on human sexuality, sexual abuse and pedophilia and has served as

annual Bishops'

Ecumenical Dialogue, also known

parent yolunteers serve as discussion

students

I

there.

looked

I

her chair expecting to

at

see her working on her student's papers,

completing the Times crossword puzzle or knitting a new sweater for one of her grandchildren. Knowing my mother's extraordinary good health and her positive attitude

about

life,

I

believe she will

enjoy

many more years of health and happiness. God will continue to work

Ricardo Montalban who introduced the Nativity Cross on television reveals its remarkable story...

through such a faithful follower.

u This

Still,

couldn't shake the thought

I

that for the first time ever, in the

armor.

body

is

It's

I

saw

a chink

the realization that no-

on earth forever, not even

mother. This of course leads

me

my

to the

unpleasant thought that

I won't be here But I feel grateful and blessed that I have a master teacher who has shown me in word and example that our faith in God, love of family and ser-

forever, either.

vice to our neighbor is what's important during our time on earth.

my

mother this morning.

Less than three weeks after her fall, she has graduated to a cane. The walker is history. She was driving yesterday and this week she'll be back at school. The I

talked to

doctor

is

amazed

but the rest of us

at

her rapid recovery

know

better.

Later that

morning, Teresa and I headed out to the post office to mail my mother a care package. As we drove along, I silently reached back for Teresa's hands and waited until I felt her fingers squeeze mine.

And

I

held on tightly to one of my

favorite things.

13

Bishops' Ecumenical Dialogue Includes Session for Lay Leaders

Marx, from page 5

cal disabilities.

& Herald

the Nativity Cross, the

is

renovations were

made

to the

most unique cross

in history.

Petite

Cave of the Nativity in Bethlehem — the The Mayor of Bethlehem approved

recognized birthplace of)esus Christ. the

shipment of excavated stones from the Cave

to the

Classic

In 1963, Please

For

fill

out and mail

fastest service

on

to:

Nativity Stones, Dept.

credit card orders, call

CNH037,

P.O.

Box 4525, Pacoima,

CA 91333

1-800-524-3535.

United States.

Price

Documented by both relics

have been

in

Mayor and the safekeeping for many the

Israel

Museum

,

these sacred

years

Now you can share these sacred relics through the Nativity Cross.

My devout wish that when you receive the Nativity Cross for yourself or is

to give to

a loved one

,

it

in these uncertain times,

will help

you draw

closer to the only true

our Lord ]esus Christ.

answer

" —

Ricardo Montalban

Item Sterling silver Cross and

Chain

Sterling silver Cross and

Chain

Each

Classic

$95.00

Petite

$79.00

22K

gold finish Cross and

Chain

Classic

$59.95

22K

gold finish Cross and

Chain

Petite

$59.95

14K

solid gold Cross

(no chain)

Classic

$295.00

14K

solid gold Cross

(no chain)

Petite

$179.00

A Cherished Gift What

Size

Qtv-

Total

Subtotal

way to share Christ's love than with a Nativity Stone that was present at His very birth. gift every Christian would cherish, The Nativity Cross adds special significance to any

Rush

CA residents, add 8.25% sales tax

delivery available

better

A

occasion:

for

$12

Shipping, any quantity

extra.

$9.95

Total

Name Address

Easter, to celebrate His love for us

City

Birthdays, as a joyous reminder of Christ's birth as well State/Zip

Weddings, as a loving exchange between bride unique "thank you" for the wedding party

& groom or a

Anniversaries, to celebrate love for each other in Christ

Baptism or Christening, of the Lord Mother's

Day and

to celebrate the newborn's birth

Phone

1

Visa

(

[

|

Check enclosed payable

to Nativity Cross

them

#

Communion and

commitment

Confirmation,

to Christ

J

.

AmEx

Exp. Date_

Signature

for

your

life

A portion of the First

]

and that Acct.

Father's Day, to thank

MasterCard

[

as a special

reminder of

the

Cave

proceeds

is

donated to support the maintenance of

CN

of the Nativity.

Satisfaction guaranteed or return within 30 days for a refund of the purchase price.

0

14

The Catholic News

&

Herald

March

Diocesan

News Briefs

Bishop McGuinness High School Wins Awards at Harvard Model Congress On February 19-23 a delegate of 30

other materials, call (704) 331-1717.

Bishop McGuinness High School students traveled to Boston to compete in the Harvard Model Congress. Coordinated by students and faculty of Harvard University, the Harvard Model Congress is the nation's best government simula-

McGuinness High School Home School

event.

tion for high school students.

proceeds will benefit

Students from

Spring Auction

WINSTON-SALEM — The Bishop Association presents "Puttin'

Spring Auction,

its

at the school.

Fine dining,

music and auctions will highlight the Admission is $50 per person, and

and reservations, (910)723-2030.

all

BMHS.

For details

Gary LeBlanc,

call

Adult Ed Series Continues The Our Lady of Grace Church Adult Education Series continues March 18 at 7:30 p.m. with "The Last Four Things," a reflection on

—

death, judgement, heaven and hell, di-

rected by Jim McCullough. For details,

(910)274-0415.

call

Blessed Mother Novena

CHARLOTTE Blessed mother

— A novena

is at St.

Church each Saturday

at

CHARLOTTE

— A contemplative

prayer group meets every second and fourth Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. at St.

Children's Clothing Sale CLEMMONS The Holy Family Church children's clothing sale, featur-

to the sanctuary.

details, call

David

ing infant and children's clothing, toys, baby equipment, and maternity clothes, is March 14 from 9 a.m.-l p.m. and 5:308 p.m. Proceeds will benefit children's programs and will help purchase equipment. For information, call (910) 766-

22nd Annual

1

2

at

1 1

a.m. for their annual

Presbyterian Church.

Class Reunion BROOKLYN, N.Y. The Bishop

Lending Library comprises ,500 videos, hundreds of audio cassettes and a small book collection. No fee is charged for previewing or using material for personal enrichment. For use in a class, a nominal fee is charged. Items can be shipped upon request.

This month's video profile: The Sacrament Series with Father Frank Cancro is an intoductorry study guide to sacramental life in the Church.

Come on In! A Church Tourfor Children is a two-part series for children in 1

—

offered.

is

Lenten enrichment program follows 7:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross Fridays at St. Thomas Aquinas Church.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction follows 9 a.m. Friday Mass and lasts until the 9 a.m. Saturday Mass at St. Matthew Church.

at

the

7:30 p.m.

BMHS

Blood Drive

McGuinness High School Red Cross is March 24 in the gym from

Blood Drive

7:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. For an appointment, Linda Kennedy, (910) 725-4247.

call

Women's Guild card party is March 20 from 7-10 p.m. Cost is $5 and includes cards, refreshments and door prizes-.

Donations of new items for door prizes are needed. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For reservations or donations, call Jackie Bauer (704) 643-0329 or Sharon Ginty (704) 553-2679.

Ecumenical Conference ASHEVILLE The ecumenical

—

Healing

Mass

ASHEVILLE— A Healing Mass for people with HIV/AIDS and terminal illnesses is the second Thursday each month at 7 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church.

For information or transportation call (704)252-3151.

St. Patrick's

Day Benefit

SHELBY — The Ladies Guild at St. Mary Church sponsors a St. Patrick's Day Bridge Benefit March 13 at 7:30' p.m. in the parish

hall.

Cost

is

$5. Other

conference "Economic

Initiatives: Issues

card and board games are welcome. For

of Justice and Faith"

March

information, call Jean Konitzer, (704) 484-1986, or the church, (704) 487-7697.

is

15 from 9

a.m. -4 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Cost

is

$10, which includes lunch. For

details, call

Joanne Frazer, (704) 33 1 -

1736.

Oratory Summer Camp ROCK HILL, S.C. — The 1997 Oratory Religion

older are needed to at St.

work

14 and

as volunteers

Joseph Hospital. Deadline to reg-

ister for

summer

orientation

is

April

1.

Show and Card

WINSTON-SALEM Theresa Guild's Fashion

—

Party

The Show (by

St.

sessions at

Camp

in

Camp,

Fashion

Camp

Kings Mountain State Park are July 13-19 and July 20-26 for children under 13 who are entering grades 2-7.

Cost is $90. For applications and information, contact The Oratory Religion

York

P.O.

Box

11586,

Rock

Hill, S.C.

2973 1 Volunteer counselors are encouraged to write for staff applications. .

the

Bishop Begley Conference Center of St. Leo Church. Tickets are $6. Play cards or bring your favorite board game. Refreshments, door prizes and an art print raffle are included. For reservations and tickets, call Joyce Anderson, (910) 7655384, or Jenny Patella, (910) 765-3487.

Living Waters Retreats

MAGGIE VALLEY

—

lence; In the Resurrection"

"In the Siis

a

March

hosts perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in

$90; couples $160.

To register, contact Living Waters

of the Cross service the

Dunn Brown

(813)

is

March

Stations

campus of Lutheridge. Bring

a flash-

and wear appropriate clothing and footwear for outdoors. A simple meal will be served before the service. Call (704) 684-6098 for information.

HICKORY Stations of the Cross and Benediction are Fridays at 7 p.m. at St. Aloysius Church. Community-wide Lenten services are Wednesdays from light

—

i

— Ultreya meets

WINSTON-SALEM — The Bishop

Card Party

CHARLOTTE — The St. Vincent de

Lenten Services

:

ASHEVILLE

second Tuesday each month at St. Eugene Church.

outside the youth activities building on

class

Sept. 28. For infor-

ARDEN — An ecumenical

biases of televi-

Church. Leaders' School is the second Sunday each month between Masses.

Eucharistic Adoration

mation, call Helen

through adult.

Hollywood vs. Religion is an adult

—

Ultreya for the Arden and Hendersonville areas meets the second Friday each month at 7:30 p.m.- at St. Barnabas

CHARLOTTE — St. Gabriel parish

is

856-1955.

sion, for grades 5

ARDEN

Asheville,

21 at 6 p.m.

McDonnell Memorial High School

a

—

Ultreya meets the second Friday each month at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Church.

Leaders' School is the fourth Tuesday each month at 7:30 p.m.

by Glenmary Father Jack McNearney focusing- on Holy Week. Cost is $250.

"Understanding Yourself and Others" is an April 25-27 retreat that combines the ancient theories of Gurdjeff and the Enneagram with modern psychology directed by Wayne Scott, Ph.D. Cost is

of 1955 reunion

grades 2-6.

education video focusing on Hollywood's intent to discredit religion.

For more information on these and

Lunch

Ultreya

WINSTON-SALEM

A

Ragpicker Shop) and Card Party is March 11 from 7-10:30 p.m. at the

Mclntyre, (704) 545-5046.

Telecommunications' Media

at the

Ecumenical

St. Patrick's

Day luncheon of corned beef and cabbage. Cost is $4.50 for members and $5 for guests. For information, call Anne

CHARLOTTE — The diocesan Of-

is

Our

Lenten Services sponsored by ParkSharon Neighborhood Churches are Thursdays from 12:30-1 p.m. at Sharon

ASHEVILLE — Teen-agers

—

(704) 792-9329, or (704) 263-3205.

Television Victim

—

at

Volunteers Needed

50+ Club Meets CHARLOTTE The St. John Neumann Church 50+ Club meets March

Media Lending Library Offers Resources

fast-paced look

is Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

Lady of Grace Church.

8133.

at

Don 7 be A TV:

of the

Christ the

Cross

—

Camporee

—

fice of

For

Brown, (704) 535-3684.

Catholic Camporee Retreat for Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts is March 14-16 at Clear Creek Scout Camp. This year's theme is "Preparing for the Millennium Faith." Activities will focus on the Bible, and Mass will be celebrated. All Catholic Scout troops, Cub packs, individual Scouts or units led by Catholics are encouraged to attend. For details, call Willis Joseph at

at

Paul

pate in this year's event.

Henry Wallace

p.m.

at 7

GREENSBORO — The Way of the

8 a.m.

Peter Church. Gather at the rear entrance

— The

—

— Stations

HIGH POINT Cross are Fridays King Church.

the office, (704) 252-6042.

will

to the

Contemplative Prayer Group

Clemmons.

MIDLAND

churches.

Vincent de Paul

Bishop McGuinness High School has attended the Harvard Model Congress for 10 years and was the only high school from North Carolina to partici-

Catholic

be served.

WINSTON-SALEM Stations of the Cross are Fridays at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy and St. Leo the Great

CHARLOTTE

GREENSBORO

Harvard Model Congress Awards were presented to three BMHS students.

Derek Show received the Outstanding Achievement Award as a Senator on the Finance Committee. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Show of Winston-Salem. Tim Roche received the Outstanding Achievement Award as a Representative on the House Science Committee.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Roche of Greensboro. Tracy Phelan received the Outstanding Achievement Award as a Lobbyist for the ACLU. She is the daughter of Kathy Klein and Kevin

Pat Pearce officiat-

Soup and sandwiches

on the Glitz," April 26 from 6:30

p.m. -midnight

over the country attend the Congress and through role playing gain extensive knowledge about the United States government. The keynote speaker this year was humorist Al Franken.

Phelan, both of

UMC with the Rev. ing.

BMHS

1997

7,

12:10-12:40 p.m.

at Hartzell

Memorial

the church. Call Kathleen Potter, (704)

366-5271, for

details.

—

BELMONT Perpetual EucharisAdoration is at the Belmont Abbey chapel. For information, call Marie Siebers, (704) 399-2701.

23-30

retreat directed

Reflection Center, 1420 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, N.C. 28751. For information, call (704) 926-3833.

tic

ASHEVILLE

— The

Basilica of St.

Lawrence warmly welcomes all to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament daily from 9 a.m. -9 p.m. For information, call

The Catholic News & Herald welcomes parish news for the diocesan news

Good photographs, preferably black and white, are also welcome. Submit news releases and photos at least 1 days before the publication date. briefs.

March

7,

The Catholic News

1997

&

Herald 15

World And National News Briefs CRS Looking At Gender

Impact

settlement in the eastern part of Jerusa-

Of Aid Programs WASHINGTON (CNS)

lem, saying

— Catholic

Relief Services has begun to analyze

it

would

strangle the Pales-

economy and spur

tinian

the

local Christians. Afif Safieh,

its

overseas aid programs in terms of their

Palestinian delegation to the

gender impact, CRS global relations director Geraldine Sicola said Feb. 26.

Sicola was one of three panelists leading a seminar on women and poverty during the 1997 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, an annual meeting in Washington of U.S. Catholic social ministry leaders. She said that while working for CRS in Africa through the 1 970s,

said the settlement

"I

He made

people

Our

up....

London that

ence, she said,

is

in the

announced Feb. 26

office. Israel

intended to press ahead with con-

warned

that

it

could prompt

Bishops Seek To

new

realiza-

CNS

photo by Jack

Richard Meier and Partners, Architects

Pottle.

Construction is due to start in June on the Rome church shown in this model by New York architect Richard Meier. The modern design is meant to accommodate its location surrounded by tall buildings.

— Televi-

the Vatican tried to correct false impres-

sions about Zaire's problems and their

causes, said the head of the country's

bishops' conference. Bishop Faustin Ngabu of Goma, Zaire, was to address gether for sustained, constructive reflec-

Industry Indicates Willingness To Tinker With TV Rating System

Clarify

—

and development.

(CNS)

statement

Situation In Zaire During Visit VATICAN CITY (CNS) Bishops from Zaire on their "ad limina" visits to

going

how pervasively discrimination against women affects health and education, home and family life, economic

WASHINGTON

in a

Service from his

well-

tion of

status

News

clashes.

I

growing

it

able and

saw everythrough gender eyes." The differ-

through India and Pakistan, thing

later,

comments

struction of a new neighborhood for about 30,000 Jews in the Arab sector.

Palestinians called the move unaccept-

intended programs were gender-blind,"

she said. "Sixteen years

the

faxed to Catholic

never once thought about a gender iswe were doing." "We were lift all

Holy See, on sto-

built

len land, in violation of international law.

sue in what trying to

would be

exodus of head of the

Rural Women Too Often Pulling A "Third Shift," Researcher Says WASHINGTON (CNS) Working

—

on

tion

their Catholic identity

sion, he said.

Msgr. Murnion

and mis-

is

director

Pope John Paul II on behalf of the bishops when they met with the pontiff during their stay in

Rome

Feb. 22-March

4.

sion industry representatives, while in-

women

sisting the new TV ratings

familiar with the "second shift" syn-

port for the initiative, inaugurated by

But in the meantime, he said, he would be speaking with representatives of Vatican departments "to clarify our situ-

drome

Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin of Chicago

ation."

shortly before his death last year.

score that

system needs more than two months before people judge it, indicated at a Feb. 27 Senate committee hearing they would be willing to bend a little on it. Most witnesses at the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on the TV ratings plan came down hard on it, with some witnesses calling them worse than no system at all. Jack Valenti backed down from a remark he made in December that he would go to court "in a nanosecond" to defend any federal challenge to the ratings system. "I have changed my mind," he said. "So far, I've seen really

nothing that violates constitutional

rework the ratings system. Valenti is head of the Motion Picture Association of America. rights" in recent proposals to

Court Sends Clinic Buffer Zone Cases Back For Reconsideration WASHINGTON (CNS) In light

—

of

its

Feb. 19 ruling on restrictions on

Supreme

abortion clinic protests, the

Court sent back to lower courts two similar cases involving a Colorado law and a Phoenix ordinance. In a Feb. 24 order, the court told the

Colorado Supreme

Court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, whose jurisdiction includes Arizona, to reconsider rulings on laws restricting the type of protest that

can oc-

cur within a specified distance of abortion clinics.

The previous week

preme Court had upheld

part of a fed-

zone" 15

feet

away

from abortion clinics, their entrances and driveways. But the court overturned a part of the injunction in Schenck vs. ProChoice Network that also required pro-

away from people as they approached the clinics. The court said the "floating buffer zones" was a testers to stay

1

5 feet

violation of free speech rights.

ties.

— taking on

all

too

a full-time job, yet

responsible for most household du-

Rural

women, suggests

New York,

which

is

providing staff sup-

researcher

Julia Kleinschmitt-Rembert,

have a

"third shift," not only running the

home

and working on the farm, but taking a job off the farm to make ends meet. Rural housework was divided more evenly "when men had full-time jobs off the farm, not when women had full-time jobs off the farm," she said.

Juncture Seen For Arms

Control Initiatives WASHINGTON (CNS) Several world arms control issues are nearing

—

critical

decision points in the United

Catholic Nurses Conference LISLE, 111.

The National Asso-

—

April 25-27 at the

nual conference

is

Lisle/Naperville,

111.,

Changes

in Catholic

tures speakers

Hilton Hotel. This

Health Care," fea-

from the medical profes-

Philip

J.

(CNS)

— Msgr.

Murnion suggested Feb. 26

that

concerned about Catholic divisions could form dialogue groups in their parishes using materials from the Catholic Common Ground Initiative. Such groups could bring selected local Catholic leaders

in the

region

Vatican, Utrecht Union Agree On Norms For Priests Who Switch

ROME (CNS) — The Vatican's top

ecumenist and the head of the Utrecht Union of Old Catholic churches have agreed on norms needed to regulate cases

which a

changes from one

in

church to another. The guidelines call for a waiting period of at least three months before a priest who has changed churches

21st century, and nurturing the spirituality

of nurses. For information, contact

229 Reading Ct., Wheaton, 60187 or send faxes to (630) 682-

Eula Sforza,

1

priest

begins active ministry, and they stipulate that ral

Among

WASHINGTON

war,

relationships, nursing education in the

0592.

Common Ground Leader Suggest Parish Dialogue Groups

at

were under siege by rebel

a health care system, caregiver-patient

Catholic peace and justice leaders Feb.

to meet.

it

to under-

of Zaire was not

groups who got a toehold during civil war in 1993.

year's conference, "Meeting the Future

111.,

key issues needing attention they cited: the Chemical Weapons Convention, which will take effect without U.S. participation if the Senate does not ratify it by April 29; the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which also requires Senate ratification; the Canadian initiative for an international treaty by December to ban all anti-personnel land mines; and Congressional legislation for a four-point Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers that nations wishing to purchase U.S. -made weapons would have

was

principal point

much

ciation of Catholic Nurses, U.S.A. an-

States, speakers told a gathering of

25.

The

but parts of

sion. Topics include Catholic values in

Critical

the Su-

eral judge's injunction limiting protests

to outside a "buffer

still

metropolitan areas are

in

of the National Pastoral Life Center in

he not be appointed to a pasto-

position in the territory

where he min"The chang-

istered in the other church.

Bishop's Conference Head

Condemns Firebombing WARSAW, Poland (CNS) —

The

head of the Polish bishops' conference condemned a firebomb attack that damaged Warsaw's only functioning Jewish synagogue. Bishop Tadeusz Pieronek, secretary-general of the bishops' confer-

ence, said,

"We

extend regret and sym-

pathy to the Jewish community. This kind of attack cannot have the approval of any honest person." "Violence has now been directed against a synagogue.

We should mobilize to stop the groups who do such things," the bisYiop said af-

The main door and hall of Warsaw's Twarda Street synagogue, built in 1902, were destroyed by fire shortly after midnight Feb. 26. ter the attack.

ing of members of the clergy creates problems for both sides," said guidelines sent in December to the member churches of the Union of Utrecht and to the heads of Catholic bishops' conferences in corresponding countries.

Pope To Spend Two Days In Makes Threat Pope VATICAN CITY (CNS)

Sarajevo; Caller John Paul

II

—

has decided to extend his

Sarajevo to two days, and now 1 23 in the Bosnian capital, the Vatican said. The announcement on Feb. 28 came the day after an visit to

plans to spend April

anonymous telephone

1

caller threatened

pope if he goes to Sarajevo.

The call was received by a church information center in Sarajevo, which was to kill the

closed for security reasons shortly after-

Palestinian At Vatican Foresees

Problems With

ROME

Settlement The Palestinian

Israeli

(CNS)

—

parish leaders and representatives of

representative to the Vatican

various viewpoints and concerns to-

Israel's plans to build a

denounced major Jewish

ward. The Vatican had no official com-

ment on

the threat, but

it

pointed out that

the invitation to visit Sarajevo had been

extended by religious and

civil authorities.

16

The Catholic News

& Herald

March

7,

1997

St. Gabriel 3016 Providence Rd.

Charlotte, N.C. 28211 (704) 364-5431 Vicariate: Charlotte

Pastor:

CHARLOTTE — Gabriel church

In 1997, the St.

community

celebrates

40 years of existence, a time frame during which the parish has grown from 175 families to the largest parish in the Carolinas, with 3,600 households.

Twelve acres of land

— then

lo-

cated one mile from Charlotte's south-

—

were purchased

by Bishop Vincent Waters of Raleigh in 1955 to establish the new parish. A 250-seat chapel was built, and Father Paul Byron, St. Gabriel Church's founding pastor, celebrated the first Mass in the church in September 1957, thereby beginning a pastorate highlighted by significant growth and change. Bishop Waters dedicated and eastern city limits

blessed

it

in

November

1957, placing

the church under the patronage of the

Archangel Gabriel.

Under Father Byron's direction, a kindergarten

was begun

in

1958, fol-

lowed by a grade school staffed by Sisters of Mercy from Belmont in 1960.

The school opened with 150 students; within a few years, the enrollment had climbed to 350, and a two-story gymnasium and cafeteria had been built.

By the mid-1960s parish membership included more than 500 families.

Msgr. Michael J. O'Keefe, pastor, directed a major parish renovation when in 1970-71 he began an expansion

which would accommodate more parishioners at the increasingly crowded weekend Masses. When project

groundbreaking ceremonies took place in 973 a year after the founding of the Diocese of Charlotte St. Gabriel's was already North Carolina's 1

—

—

J.

The Very Reverend Edward

Sheridan

Parochial Vicars: Jesuit Father

Leigh A.

Fuller,

Father Dennis

Kuhn

Permanent Deacons: Rev. Mr. Bernard Wenning, Rev. Dr. Frederick Dobens, Rev. Mr. Robert Gettlefinger, Rev. Mr. Louis Pais Masses:

Sat.: 5:30 p.m.; Sun.: 7:30, 9, 10:45 a.m.; 12:15,

5:30 p.m.

Number

of parishioners:

10,000+

Households: 3,600

largest parish, with a registered family count of 690.

During the midtinued to

membership conMembership included 1977 when Msgr. Hugh Dolan,

to late- 1970s, parish

grow quickly and

more than 1,000 families

in

steadily.

expansion ideas which led to implementation of the "Master Plan." The plan developed over a number of years, especially during the early 1980s consisted of parish surveys, parishioner input, committee meetings and, finally, expansion and building designs that included improvements to the church, school, administrative and recreational pastor, introduced

—

—

facilities.

A fund-raising campaign began in 1983, which led to the purchase of additional property on Providence Road and Sharon Lane. Construction of a new 1,100-seat sanctuary ensued in 1985. In September 1986, Bishop John F. Donoghue, along with retired Bishop Michael J. Begley and present and former pastors of St. Gabriel's, dedicated the facility, which includes a day chapel, fellowship hall, meditation chapel, family room and music room.

Expansion continued into the 1990s, both in the number of registered families and in physical growth. In May 1990 present pastor Father Edward Sheridan began an extensive capital campaign. The result: a 79,000 square-foot parish center, which Bishop Donoghue dedicated in December 1992. The building became the new home for the school, the faith development center offices, a gymnasium and a cafeteria.

Plans are currently underway for a new three-story ministry center, which will house the parish's faith formation offices, meeting space, nursery and ministry offices. Ministry outreach highlights parish life at St. Gabriel Church, with groups such as the disABILITY ministry and health tare ministry joining a host of other teams that address specific and common needs of St.

Gabriel's parishioners.

Father Sheridan notes with appreciation that the growing pastoral council tremendously assists the operation of the on the practical and spiritual level. With more than 10,000 registered parishioners and a 545-student grade

parish, both

school, St. Gabriel's parish, as conveyed in

our

faith

community by our

Holy Trinity Catholic Mission, Taylorsville, N.C. Position available for 9 a.m. Sunday Mass. Salary based on experience. Call Father Joe, (704) 632-8009 or Theresa Brewer, (704) 495-3230.

ext.

mission statement, strives to

and educational

Principal

Organist:

Facilities Assistant: St. Matthew Church. Contact Jim Nass, (704) 543-7677

its

liturgical, spiritual

Employment Opportunities

Pastoral Associate

J.

33 for information.

Christ through His Church and

— Immaculata Catholic Elementary School:

Immaculata Catholic School, a pre-K through grade 8 school, enrolls 200 students with a professional staff of 16. Fully accredited by the state of North Carolina.

Applicants must be practicing Roman Catholics with a master's degree in educational administration or related field and a minimum of 5 years teaching experience.

Immaculata is located in Hendersonville, a small city in the mountain area of western N.C. This position, available for the 1997-98 academic year, offers excellent benefits.

Salary is negotiable depending on qualifications and experience. Send resume, references and salary expectations by March 7 to: Dr. Michael Skube, Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Charlotte, 3104 Park Rd., Charlotte,

NC

28209.

:

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, an 800 family parish located in historic downtown Charleston, S.C., is currently seeking a professional Pastoral Associate to manage its Christian Formation Program (children, youth and adult) and Christian Initiation Ministries. Masters degree in appropriate field or bachelors degree with comparable experience required. Interested applicants respond by 6-1-97 in writing to: Sr. Bridge Sullivan, OLM, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 120 Broad Street, Charleston, S.C. 29401

MACS School

Board Openings

Schools Regional Board of Education

for the

— Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School:

Sacred Heart Catholic School, a pre-K through grade 8 school, enrolls 270 students with a professional staff of 23. Fully accredited by the state of North Carolina.

Applicants must be practicing Roman Catholics with a master's degree in educational administration or related field and a minimum of 5 years teaching experience.

Sacred Heart is located in Salisbury, a historic community centrally placed between

997-98 academic year, offers competitive benefits.

Salary is negotiable depending on qualifications and experience. Send resume, references and salary expectations by March 14 to: Dr. Michael Skube, Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Charlotte, 3 104 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28209.

This position, available for the

1

997-98 school

terms begin July lics

who have

1

St.

1

,

1

fill

is

Board positions

year.

The

three-year

997. Practicing Catho-

a child in

MACS,

intend to

MACS or have previously MACS qualify for Board serIndividuals having MACS commit-

enroll a child in

had a child vice. tee,

PTO

in

or other school experience are

particularly

Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C.

High School Principal:

The Mecklenburg Area Catholic seeking applications to

Principal

"know and love

efforts."

encouraged

to

apply by send-

ing a resume and letter stating

would

like to serve

Nominating Morehead

St.,

by March 30

Committee, Charlotte,

NC

why you to:

MACS

1524 28207.

E.

Sumter,

Francis Xavier High School,

SC

is

seeking a Catholic for the

position of principal beginning 1997-98

school year. Masters degree or Adminis-

work required. Candidate must be an innovative, committed Cathotrative course

lic

and be

certified or certifiable.

Candi-

date will guide and direct the growth and

development of

St.

Francis Xavier High

School.

Request application and more inforJ. Seth (803) 773-8676 or

mation from:

773-0757 e-mail: Sethj@FTC-I.net

Send resume with application by to: Search Committee, c/o St. Francis Xavier High School, PO Box April

1

1268, Sumter,

SC

29151.