May 31, 1996

Page 1

, l

M

IT ITTI ,,, iril''

,,

ITII

,M

TI

0£6£-669Z5 OH 0£6£

d

,

TITIT M IIT

ll.CH

, l

13d¥H3

Ayyyan mostiS N0IJ.:D31103 on

Id 6££S

ATHOLIC

%lz iioia-e***************.*

inews& Herald

Volume 5 Number 25 • May

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

31, 1996

Cannot Violate Says Archbishop

Majority Rule Rights,

By CHRISTIE L. CHICOINE PHILADELPHIA (CNS) The

abortion, "is not only contrary to our

they do not. "While majority rule is a good working principle in perhaps the best those matters which are negotiable ... it is not and never can be a determinant of my

Christian moral convictions but to our finest

personal security in

national tradition," said the head of the

Archbishop Foley said. A legal system that "does not recognize inherent rights is an invitation to government by demagoguery" and momentary whim, he

it

idea

law should reflect the will of the

that

majority, even if the majority favors legal

Council for Social Communications. Archbishop John P. Foley, council president since 1984, spoke at the opening Pontifical

Mass of

the Catholic Press Association's

deny

was responding to comments

certificate upon completion of the diocesan lay ministry training program from Bishop William G. Curlin as Mercy Sister Mary Timothy Warren looks on.

MIKE KROKOS Editor

1 1

has given

it

to

me and only God can take it."

Antonin Scalia May 2 at a conference sponsored by the Gregorian University in

Independence as the source of the national mind-set that "life, liberty and the pursuit of

Rome.

happiness" are inalienable rights.

Scalia, a Catholic, said that in a

He called

See Rights, page 6

The Sick And Homebound

Graduates Encouraged To Bring Love Of Jesus May

The majority "does not have the right to me my existence," he continued. "God The archbishop cited the Declaration of

By PAUL FREDETTE HENDERSONVILLE — For

"bring people the love of Jesus Christ,"

"every protection for the

Justice

Lay Ministry

— With Bishop William G. Curlin urging them

inalienable rights,"

Household Of Faith Includes

JOANN KEANE

Judy MacDowall receives her

CHARLOTTE

my

weakest and most vulnerable members of

Philadelphia.

democracy the state should permit abortion if people want it or should be able to prohibit

By

said. It neglects

society."

In part, he

annual convention May 22 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in

made by U.S. Supreme Court

Photo by

if

to

thirty years

Now too

Tony Lefeber grew

people nearly

flowers.

and clear your mind

to

be ready

for the next day."

he cultivates the consolation of those

He spends seven days a week scheduling

com-

volunteers to visit sick or homebound people

ill

to join the rest of the Catholic

munity for worship and the sacraments. Since 1984 he has been the coordinator of ministry to the sick and homebound at Immaculate Conception Church. The parish

now

5 individuals received certificates

day," he explains, "you need to

all

shift gears

fields

more

in the five area hospitals, 19

homes and 47

retirement

the vicinity. Usually Lefeber tial

nursing and

homes in makes the ini-

private

contact himself, then he matches the

patient or homebound person with a compatible volunteer. Currently, his corps of volun-

20 people, some of them on a

Church acknowledging them as graduates of the Diocese of Charlotte's Lay Ministry Training Program. "I beg you to have the mind of Christ. I also ask you one thing: Have the love, tenderness and generosity of Jesus Christ in your ministry," Bishop Curlin said. "Make Christ the basis of your ministry and you will

than 50 volunteers

teers visits

who

and ad-

daily or weekly basis. Lefeber personally

minister Holy Com-

makes more than 1 ,500 each year. He and his

and nursing home

ritual for pastoral care

never be unhappy."

patients as well as

administration of Holy Communion, supple-

homebound.

menting the rite with their own expressions of personal concern and attentiveness to

1

8 at St. Gabriel

The lay ministry program was developed as one of the directives of the 1986-97 Diocesan Synod. It was designed to help participants appreciate and understand more fully that they are called to and gifted for ministry by virtue of their baptism, be affirmed in their present ministries (both in the Church and marketplace), explore their giftedness and how their gifts may be used in response to their baptismal call, and grow in faith, said Mercy Sister Mary Timothy Warren, Office of Lay Ministry director. "The program was designed for men and women who desire to grow in competence and confidence as they minister to others in their families, the Church and the marketplace," Sister Mary Timothy said. It is also a prerequisite for individuals who want to: enter the Permanent Diaconate; enter the Diocesan training program for spiritual directors; be upgraded in their certification as catechists and religion teachers, she added. As in years past, participants gave readily of their time during the twoyear training period. Groups met on the average one Saturday per month. Sessions were held at St. Gabriel in Charlotte, St. Barnabas in Arden, and Our Lady of Grace in Greensboro. Thirty-four parishes were represented by the graduating class.

See Lay

Ministry, page 3

visit

munion

the

to hospital

Originally form Lisse in the Netherlands,

Tony

is

a third

generation certified flower grower.

He and

1

volunteers follow the prescribed Catholic

of the sick and the

individual needs.

Although

illness

can sometimes bring

his brother started with tulips, irises, chry-

out the worst in people, Lefeber' s experience

santhemums and gladiolas, but eventually grew strictly gladiolas 300 acres of them

has convinced him that ministering to the sick usually brings out the best in both the

at

seven sites in the Hendersonville area. has been a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Church since 1948 and has seen the parish grow and develop. over the years. More than 65% of the approximately

volunteer and the recipient of the

He

"Having

3,000 parishioners are 65-years-old or older. Practically speaking, this is a retirement

community. These days Tony grows orchids as a hobby. He often takes them to the hospital and nursing homes where he ministers, but he says he grows them mainly for "mental therapy." When you've been seeing sick

visit.

on others produces gratitude more than resentment," he says. "Visiting the sick demands that you reach out, offering encouragement and assurance of your support and the prayers of the rest of the Catholic community." Lefeber is encouraged by the strong parish backing he receives at Immaculate Conception. "I have had the support of every priest who ever walked into the parish," he to rely

See

Living, next page


News

2 The Catholic

Living

The

& Herald

Faith, from

Faith Lives

May

page

31, 1996

1

Priesthood Ordinations Scheduled For June

Through Ministry To The Sick

said.

He was first drawn to this form of service when his own mother was suffering with an extended illness. The sensitivity Monsignor William Pharr, then pastor of Immaculate Conception, showed in her regard impressed Tony. "I felt it would be a great honor and a privilege to be there for people in need of a visit and Holy Communion," Lefeber said. He became coordinator for the ministry to the sick and homebound in 1984. He educated himself in the ministry and became a certified chaplain at Pardee Hospital in the process. He developed a format for others to use in their approach to this sensitive

Two

ministry.

The challenges Tony

as a chaplain have helped to

develop

skills

Two seminarians will be ordained

in Photo by

PAUL FREDETTE

Lefeber checks the patient roster at the front desk at Cardinal Care Center.

support you' 11 be able to offer a

Some

people are easy to talk

pastor of Immaculate Conception, said

with but others become very withdrawn.

the ministry Lefeber helps coordinate

Some

a

are angry

— perhaps

their child

much needed

spitual gift. "I believe

is it

the greatest blessing to the parish

to the priesthood for service to the

Diocese of Charlotte in the next few weeks. Thomas Williamson, who attended St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Ind., will be ordained June 1 at St. Patrick Cathedral, and Fidel Melo, who attended St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boyton Beach, Fla., will be ordained June 15 at his home parish in Mexico.

has been injured in an accident. There is

is

way to console them despite your best efforts. There are no explanations. Just being there is all you

community. Our environment seems to be enriched by the ministry," he said. "We have many elderly people and this

can do."

way of reaching them." "This experience has given me a tremendous gratitude," said Lefeber.

Thomas Williamson has recently completed his fifth and final year at

He's grateful that his visit can bring a smile to the face of someone who knows

ordained a deacon on Nov. 4 and will be ordained to the priesthood for

hardly a

is

The caring

efforts

of parishioners

like Lefeber have led to the development of the Lazarus Ministry, a group that serves the needs of the bereaved and an outreach ministry comprised of 35 volunteers who offer a range of helpful

"in the

home"

services for the elderly

and people with disabilities. Members of Immaculate Conception are also laying the groundwork for a

new parish

the only

He

that death is near.

grateful for the

is

St.

that faith healthy in the

much

illness is

what makes

his ministry such a valued aspect of

care ministry even further.

pastoral care for the entire

community.

service to this diocese

on June

1

at St.

The 32-year-old Williamson was children, and attended college at

George Mason University. He majored in business administration and then worked for several years before enrolling in the seminary. "I was called

Capuchin Father John Aurilia,

to the priesthood in college, a result of

Norbert

the prayer life

fairings for

|une 1

Sunday:

the -

MuM] B^gj

teek of

8

Exodus 34: 4-6, 8-9 2 Corinthians 13: 11-13 John 3: 16-18

I

developed

2 Peter

Mark Norbert was a monk and became known for his great preaching. In 1121 he founded the Canons Regular of Premontre, an order which kept the rule of St. Augustine. Norbert eventually

became Archbishop of Magdeburg, where he arrived for duty meanly clad and barefoot. Many tried to assassinate the bishop as he instituted strict reforms Italy in

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

12: 13-17

2 Timothy 1: 1-3. 6-12 Mark 12: 18-27

Friday:

2 Timothy

He was named chancellor of

Mark Saturday: C 1996 CNS Graphics

12-15,

2 Timothy 2: 8-15 Mark 12: 28-34

Norbert was canonized in 1582. His feast is J UIle

3:

Thursday:

1133 and died

the following year.

2-7

12: 1-12

2 Peter 17-18

Mark

1:

10-17 12: 35-37 3:

2 Timothy 4: 1-8 Mark 12: 38-44

in

high

school," he said. "It was a big decision for

me

wanted

to enter the seminary, to

make

sure

it

was

and

I

the right

decision."

He has had a great deal of ministry experience both in this diocese and in other parts of the world.

Monday:

1

Bishop William G. Curlin invites to the June

members of the diocese

ordination at

St.

Patrick Cathedral at

10 a.m.

He worked at

Sacred Heart Church in Brevard, studied hospital ministry at Carolinas

Medical Center and worked with Father Joe Waters and the Hispanic ministry in the diocese.

Two years ago, Williamson spent weeks in Puebla, Mexico, where he studied Spanish and lived in a mission in the mountains. He began learning Spanish while immersed in the Hispanic culture. "Learning Spanish is an ongoing process," Williamson said with a laugh. "I'm still learning today. I'm not great, but I got a good background in Mexico." In February 1995, Williamson eight

Melo

will

be ordained for service to

this

diocese.

Meinrad Seminary. He was

raised in Virginia, the oldest of three

Keeping

all

Fidel

of all, he is grateful for the common faith they rely on to see them through the hard midst of so

Prophets.

Later in June another seminarian

Patrick Cathedral.

times.

became an exchange student and spent almost four months in Jerusalem. Once there, he lived in the church where John the Baptist was born and studied topics ranging from Jewish Prayer to the

Thomas Williamson

confidences people share with him. Most

nursing program to extend their health

in his see.

l-r

him

he also uses

demanding situations. "You get a sudden call and you don't know what is waiting for you. You wonder what kind of family.

seminarians will be ordained to the priesthood this June. Pictured Bishop William G. Curlin, Thomas Williamson.

are: Fidel Melo,

faces

Born

in

1961 in the Mexican state

of Queretaro, Fidel Melo was the

first

person from his parish to enter the seminary. He began his studies at a seminary in Mexico, but took some time off to be certain of his call. He felt drawn to mission work, but decided that he would continue as a diocesan priest in another diocese. In 1993, he enrolled in second theology classes at

Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary and began learning English. A few months later, he met Father Frank O'Rourke, vocations director for the Diocese of Charlotte. "Father Frank asked me to come up and visit North Carolina and I decided this was where I wanted to stay," Melo said. Melo's work experience in the diocese has been varied. During the summer of 1994 he interned at The Catholic News & Herald working to improve his English and assisting with the paper's Hispanic supplement, Comuniquemonos. In 1995, he was assigned to Carolinas Medical Center St.

for hospital ministry education.

Melo

recently completed his final

semester of classes at St. Vincent de Paul. His ordination to the deaconate on November 19, 1995 drew a record number of people to St. Patrick Cathedral. His ordination to the priesthood, to be celebrated in front of

family and friends in Mexico, scheduled for June 15.

is


May

The Catholic News

1996

31,

Lay Ministry Graduates Celebrate Closing Ceremony, from page

& Herald

3

1

John and Jane Malmfelt have been involved in the Rite of

Of

Christian Initiation

Adults (RCIA) program at St.

Paul the Apostle

Church

Greensboro Mr.

in

for nearly 10 years.

Malmfelt

said the continuing education the couple desired was the main reason for getting involved in the lay ministry program.

"We needed more information as lay Mr. Catholics," Malmfelt said. "This seemed like a logical

Lay Ministry graduates attended the closing ceremony May

procession of RCIA."

"We

effective job in

than

we

do an RCIA, we needed more

realized in order to

had," he added. "I think this

would be an ideal program for Catholics who want to be more informed." Courses offered included:

&

Church

to Scripture; Jesus;

Gabriel Church

Curlin said,

lay ministers. That

said. "It has

it

will take the

Charlotte.

in

work of these Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexei in a May 24 ceremony in Moscow marking the anniversary of the

work includes

takes part

evangelizing and letting Jesus be the center piece of their ministry. "You will

creation of the Cyrillic alphabet.

say things you never said and understand

you never did if you let Jesus guide your lives," the bishop said. things

Sacraments; Prayer; Christian Morality; and AIDS

the Lord," she added.

Education. The classes totaled more

sense of reverence

If the

Church

has

it

And

lost,

created the alphabet.

Reuters

CNS photo from

ike Priests of ike Diocese of Ckarlolle

Cordially invite you to attend ike

Annual Jukilee

The

At Last, Assisted Living

Little

priced

Flower

—

assisted living

residence

Designed Around Your Freedom, Vm ir Eamih nnrl rdll Illy LULU IUUI

Lcleoralion

a moderately

is

community providing

Reverend Lawrence

\^\Hf IUL11

"Enit'ln

L

JTCUtl

mind

to the family

Little

Flower

40 fears Reverend Monsignor Rickard Allen Reverend Conall McHugk.

Uwyers Road

specific level of assistance

or her own.

is

to give unparalleled

and friends of each

And

peace of

resident.

thoughtfully planned to provide the

each resident desires

The wide range

manage on

to

of services includes a

Conv.

Ramon

recognition of service

For tkose retiring from active ministry Reverend Monsignor Tkomas Burlce Berg Reverend Bernard Manley

Reverend Pius Kealing. S.A.

Reverend Tkomas Walsk Reverend Monsignor Anlkony Kovaclc Reverend Mo nslgnor William Wellein

his

comprehensive

wellness program, all

OFM

Reverend Josepk Waters

Reverend

Freedom. The

Reverend Pius Kealing. S.A.

Catholic-oriented

in Charlotte, this

was created

Ord inalion

— 50 years

j

residence

honoring

OSB

Willis.

about 45 senior adults. Situated on

nearly four acres on

A

Prieslly

30 yrars

a

comfortable, secure, residential lifestyle for

ol

Tkursday, June 13.

meals, scheduled

3:00

transportation, a stateof-the-art security

emergency

call

Si.

1996

p.m.

Patrick Calkedral

1621 Dilworlk Road

and

Ckarlolle.

system,

NC

regular housekeeping

and much more. Family.

Residents as

Remember

well as their families will

knowledge clock.

The

that assistance, as needed, Little

Flower

Named is

the

there for

in

first

to

HisWll

the

team

will

The

Little

the

be

needs of each resident.

honor of Saint Therese of

Lisieux,

make

the residence their

all

Adams

at (704)

faiths are

home.

"I leave to the

568-2972.

Charlotte (or (or

Roman

Loving Eldercare In The Catholic Tradition 681 7 Van De

Rone

Drive, Charlotte,

NC 2821

Equal Housing Opportunity

well as an ongoing commit-

ment to the Church and the community in which we live." Bishop William G. Curlin

Catholic Diocese of

parish, city) the

sum of$

percent of the residue of my estate) for

religious, educational

The Little Flower

a

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:

To receive a free brochure or for more information, contact Keith

"A valid Will stands as

continuing expression of our concern for loved ones, as

In Yours.

Catholic-oriented assisted living residence in

the Diocese of Charlotte. However, senior adults of

welcome

in

them around

Flower's professionally trained care

attentive to the individual

Faith.

is

be secure

the

Cyril

His Excellency. Trie Most Reveren J Will lam G. Curlin

back the Bishop

to bring

is

In

background is a monument to Sts. and Methodius, the brothers

parts of the diocese interested in serving

II

&

Documents; Liturgy

St.

Judy Tanner, a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville, said she was drawn to the program by a friend in the seminary. "I wanted to learn more about the been very inspiring learning about the Church." "I got to know people from other

Social

History; Social Ministry; Vatican

8 at

than 100 hours of lay ministry training.

Church," she

Introduction to Ministry; Introduction

1

its

and charitable works."

For more information on how to make 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.

who


4 The Catholic News

& Herald

May

31, 1996

The Pope Speaks

Tro-Life Corner

Pope John Paul II

Pope Says Ex-Communist Countries Must Keep Christianity Alive

VATICAN CITY

(CNS) Here is the Vatican Pope JohnPaul IPs remarks in English at his

text of

weekly general audience

May

22.

church, in spiritual

union with Mary and the Apostles in the

Upper Dear brothers and

Our society is hypocritical in its

My

attitude toward handicapped children. We are touched when we see the telethons. We sponsor the

The Respect

the civil and church authorities and to

all

weekend

grateful to

those

who

acceptance of Christianity. Brought by missionaries from Rome, the Christian faith has shaped the character and culture of the Slovenian people. The church in Slovenia today consists of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Ljubljana and the two dioceses of Maribor and Koper, and the church's life there is still influenced by the great 1 9th-century bishop of Maribor, Anthony Martin Slomsek, who promoted the spread of the Gospel and the growth of Slovenian culture. During these final days of the Easter season, the

born."

it is

am

its

we say, before

I

helped in its organization. Although Slovenia has been an independent state for only five years, the history of the Slovenian people began over 12 centuries ago with

and cheer for the competitors and speak of the joy and inspiration they bring to us. But, when we hear that a woman is carrying one of these very children, it

pastoral visit to Slovenia this past

was a joyful celebration of faith, and

Special Olympics

"Kill

sisters,

Room,

is

preparing for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. These days spent with the church in Slovenia were an experience of prayer and hope with that same expectation. I thank my Slovenian brothers and sisters for their kindness, especially in remembering my birthday, and for their prayers that the successor of Peter may continue to serve the church for as long as

God's providence

wills.

am pleased to greet the group of officers and their families from the NATO Defense College. May your I

on behalf of international security serve the advancement of peace and cooperation among peoples.

efforts

Upon all

the English-speaking visitors, especially the

pilgrims from England, Ireland, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Canada and the United States, I cordially invoke the joy and peace of the risen Christ.

Diocese of Charlotte

Life Office

(704) 377-6871

Guest Column

B

Father James Hawker

piscopal Calendar

June

The Age Of Confirmation In The Diocese Of Charlotte

Bishop Curlinw will take part in the follwing:

June 5

1

10 a.m.

7:30 p.m.

Thomas Williamson

Baccalaureate Mass Charlotte Catholic

Ordination St. Patrick Cathedral Charlotte

within a relatively

Charlotte

the parishes of the diocese during the eighth grade.

the sacrament of confirmation

St.

would be celebrated

in

Prior to formulating his decision, the bishop invited

deacons, school principals and the leadership in parish faith formation to share their views with him. In a number of instances, the latter discussed the priests,

Bishop McGuinness High School

matter with parents as well.

Leo Church

The respondents

to the

Middle Holy School Graduation

Winston-Salem

bishop's survey were asked whether they favored

Gabriel Church Charlotte

June 8

confirmation being celebrated at the age of discretion (about seven years of age), within the period of junior

7:30 p.m.

high school or during high school. After he reviewed the responses, it was apparent that there was no

Guest Speaker United Methodist Church Conference Lake Junaluska

unanimity among the respondents. However, it was obvious that the largest number favored the sacrament being conferred during junior high school, while the minority supported the present practice of celebrating the sacrament during high school.

Ultimately, Bishop Curlin' s decision on the matter

a The Catholic

/T\ cpa)

^ News & Herald May Volume

5

31, •

was based upon the following reasons: • At 12 or 13 years of age, a young person begins .

even as he or she enters into the emotional turbulence of adolescence. From one point of view, the youngsters can understand more maturely the meaning and significance of the sacrament; from another perspective, he or she can be assisted during the time ahead, including this period of adolescent growth, by the grace of the sacrament. • At this age, the young person initiates what is referred to as the rite of passage from childhood to

to think as an adult

1996

Number 35

Reverend William G. Curlin Editor: Michael Krokos Associate Editor: Joann Keane Publisher: Most

Staff Writer: Elizabeth

Maybach

Hispanic Editor: Luis Wolf Advertising Manager: Gene Sullivan Editorial Assistant:

Sheree McDermott

1524 East Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28207 Mail: PO Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237 Phone: (704) 331-1713 FAX: (704) 377-0842 The Catholic News & Herald, USPC 007-393, is published by Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1524 East Morehead Charlotte,

NC

for

$15 per year for enrollees

in parishes

Catholic Diocese of Charlotte and $ 1 8 per year for ers.

Second-class postage paid

at

Charlotte

NC

POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to The PO Box 37267. Charlotte, NC 28237.

Herald,

adult maturity. Psychologists contend that in contemporary culture, the way toward adulthood is a

long and winding road not being completed in most instances until 25 or 30 years of age. Adolescence, then, in our society, is extended appreciably in the St.,

28207, 44 times a year, weekly except for Christmas

week and Easter week and every two weeks during June, August

and

confirmation) brief period of time.

Baccalaureate Mass

St.

first

In a letter printed in a recent edition of The Catholic

7 p.m.

Trinity

penance,

Eucharist

News & Herald, Bishop Curlin stated that in 1998-99,

June 7

Tune 4 7 p.m.

(first

High School St. Gabriel Church

June 2 Homilist Priests' Jubilee Camden, New Jersey

three sacraments

all

July and

of the

Roman

other subscrib-

and other Catholic

comparison

Such being the case, preparing for and

celebrating the sacrament during junior high school would be pastorally sensitive to those involved in its preparation and celebration.

must be remembered that each of the sacraments moment of encounter within which God shares His life and love. The sacrament of baptism is celebrated when infants have no awareness of the gift. At the time of the celebration of first penance and first Eucharist, the recipient is at a stage of growth within which he or she can understand as a child the meaning and significance of the sacraments. Yet, as at • It

is

a gift of God, a

the time of baptism, these celebrations of encounter with the Lord are primarily manifestations of the love

of God to which the recipient is invited and enabled to respond. As far as the sacrament of confirmation is concerned, some may prefer that it be celebrated at the age when one has achieved adulthood. Were that view to be implemented, the sacrament would be delayed appreciably. As has been observed previously, however,

Holy Spirit which is celebrated and shared within the sacrament of confirmation during the junior high school years would be a source of strength for the recipient as he or she enters into and lives the extended period of adolescent growth, as well the gift of the

as throughout his or her

life.

Although there was no consensus, the largest number of responses to the bishop's survey were in •

harmony with his decision. The rationale contained herein is intended to assist the reader in understanding the reasons that support Bishop Curlin' s position. Although it was not feasible

to earlier periods in history. appears that the age for the celebration of confirmation is being lowered in various other dioceses

to include the contents of this

throughout the United States. Realistically, however, one of the difficulties of celebrating confirmation at

preceded the announcement.

It

important for

all

column

in his letter,

it is

in the diocese to appreciate the

process of consultation, deliberation and prayer that

cities.

News &

the age of discretion

teachers

is

that parents, children

would be preparing

and

for the celebration of

Father James F. Hawker is Vicar of Education for the Diocese of Charlotte.


May

& Herald

The Catholic News

1996

31,

Light

5

One Candle

Father John Catoir

A Formula

For Coping With

Problems

Life's

If you' re

up to your ears in problems,

to solve.

like painting a bridge

;

you finish

one side and the other side needs tending. Problems will always be with us, one

more

difficult than the next.

They

how

we

God

looked on life as the athlete looks on the game, we might be better off. You win some, you lose some, but you keep working at it. If things go bad one season, there's always next year. "The world around us is God's best idea for helping us grow into His sons (and daughters). It isn't perfect because it needed to be imperfect so that we would have something to work on. Its

of problems in life and many of them are It' s

The problems of life are the seas we sail. St. Paul once compared the spiritual struggle to an athlete's training. If

don' t panic. You' ve been through worse and survived. There is an endless variety

beyond our power

No

farther sail!

are

given, not to dismay us, but to challenge us.

In the poem, Passages to India, Walt Whitman expressed it this way.

imperfection makes

it

a perfect place as

gymnasium in which to develop our muscles and become strong." (Frank C. Lurbach, Channels of Spiritual Power)

O my brave soul! Ofarther, farther sail! O daring joy, but safe! Are they not all the seas of God? O farther, farther,

a

on the Mount He told us how: If you have enemies, overcome hate with love. If others do you harm, return it by doing good to them.

matter

great the

responsibility places on our shoulder, He wants us to

Jesus wants us to

develop complete

and

dependability

we

faithfulness. Either

rise

like

Tackle your problems with courage.

to the

challenge or we give up and go our own

God wants us to develop the same loyalty and cooperation He found in

You

Christ.

Jesus wants to give us His

"Be Sons of your Father who is in heaven." (Mt. 4: 44-45) In His Sermon sonship.

are not alone.

For a free copy of the Christopher

way.

And

become

Him. He prays to the Father, "The glory which You gave Me, I am giving to them. They shall be with Me where I am; the love which You have for Me will be in them and I will be in them."

Note, "Hard Times, Hard Choices, " send a stamped, selfaddressed envelope to The Christophers, 12 East 48th Street, New York, N.Y.

News

10017.

Question Box Father John Dietzen

Baptisms After Death? What is the thinking ofthe CathoChurch on the destination of a child

Infant

fundamental conviction seems

lic

who

to

it can be baptized? be baptized after death in any way? (Iowa)

Obviously, that would include children who die too young to have consciously chosen any obstacle to God's love. St. Augustine, in fact, uses

it

A. The death of a child before baptism is always a hurtful and confusing experience for believing Christian parents. It may help to keep in mind a few matters about our faith.

precisely this principle to support his

teaching that

God

gives the grace of

baptism, and therefore salvation, to such

by someone who has already died. If death is in any way doubtful, of course,

another direction. Baptism

baptism could be administered

the Gospel has been proclaimed

necessary for salvation, it says, "for those to whom

in case

who have had

is still alive.

That is not the whole story, however. is

is

and

the possibility of asking

Little children,

ways

considered a

(Page 134).

member of the

Christian

As the catechism teaches, "God has bound salvation to the sacrament

with a

of baptism, but he himself is not bound

right to full

by his sacraments" (Paragraph 1 257).

faithful,

of the sacraments, the sharing of God's

helps to

remember that

happen

God or of Jesus. If God loves all people and wishes them to be saved, how does that happen? children, theologians have offered

example, that the grace of holy orders or matrimony is at work not only after ordination or exchange of vows but also before, as the individuals prepare themselves to be fit candidates for those

numerous possible explanations through

sacraments.

they bring us, does not

moment the sacrament

all

children

who

die before their parents

can have them baptized (Canon 1 183). In other words, God has told us much about his plan for salvation, and he obviously expects us to believe and follow what he says.

young

is

also

much he

has not

similar about baptism.

A Spiritual

Reflection

Editor's Note: The following re-

welcomes

letters from readers.

be signed originals of 250 words or

for us through the service of our deceased

To be considered for publication, your

letter

man who

lays

down

his

Send

salute

them and

offer our

provides an appropriate verse, from the Book of Revelation, to express our

(John 15:13)

In a spiritual context, a tribute to

thoughts: the Lord;

The brave men and women who

for their

sacrificed their lives in service to our

14:13).

Perhaps too

"Happy

are those

who have died

in

them rest from their labors good deeds with them" (Rev. let

Father Ronald A. Marecki

many

citizens in our

nation take for granted the peace and

we enjoy as a result of the great sacrifices made by our veterans. Our security

and

As we

prayers for them this day, the Bible

our deceased veterans on Memorial Day brings to mind this Scriptural passage.

the address

writer for purposes of verification.

be condensed because of space limitations

On this Memorial Day we God for communicating his love

veterans.

thank

country truly displayed this level of

less.

must include

the self-sacrifice of our deceased

veterans.

has greater love, says the

loving dedication.

and daytime phone number of the

special

publication.

life for his friends."

The Catholic News <^ Herald

Memorial Day gives us the

opportunity to remember with gratitude

Write a Letter to the Editor

and

St., Bloomington, III. 61701. Questions should be sent to Father Dietzen at the same address.

was published in the Department of Veteran Affairs Employee Newsletter in Bath, N. Y. It was also submitted to The Catholic News & Herald for

By church law, a

Express Yourself:

may

Main

On Memorial Day

flection

Lord, than the

clarity, style

addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Holy Trinity Church, 704 N.

Letters

"No one

Letters

A free brochure outlining basic Catholic prayers, beliefs and practices is available by sending a stamped, self-

administered.

The church recognizes something

Whatever the theory, however, one

letters

is

at

Christian writers often note, for

the centuries.

ask that

him alone"

once, like a clap of thunder, at the

heard of

We

to

the grace

life

& Herald

known

that possibility. It

Christians have always pondered what exactly this means, since billions of people die without baptism. Multitudes of these have never even

The Catholic News

that are

Christian burial, including Mass.

But there

of

the question applies to very

the sacraments, "as well as in other

is

already

of course, have not

had

faith.

As Pope John Paul II put it in book "Crossing the Threshold of Hope," God is unendingly at work in

before

for this sacrament."

the

sacramental or "sign" way by which people enter into his life, his community

As

his

dies

The bishop may permit the same for

The Catechism of the Catholic Church approaches the same idea from

are for the living; they cannot be received

Jesus clearly told us that baptism

told us.

who

children.

All sacraments, including baptism,

the person

catechumen

baptism

deliberate obstacle to that grace.

dies before

Could

to

God offers the grace of salvation everyone who does not place a

remain:

Q.

edited for

country needs to remember these heroic

taste.

men and women who

letters to:

The Catholic News ^Herald, P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte,

NC 28237

lives to protect the

that

make our

laid

down

freedom and

nation great.

their

rights

Father Ronald A. Marecki is a priest of the Diocese of Charlotte currently serving as Catholic chaplain for the Archdiocese for Military Services at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bath., N. Y. '


6 The Catholic

News

& Herald

May

Shades Of

Vocations Update Father Frank

By PATRICIA Seminarians' Summer Plans Summertime offers seminarians an

Catholic

their faith. This year, our seminarians

can be found working in parishes, ministries, diocesan hospitals, universities and enrichment programs that equip them for special ministries. The following appointments are

made with

the approval of Bishop William G. Curlin:

John Bonar marketplace ministry living at home Dean Cesa and Peter Phan

clinical pastoral education at in Asheville

V A Hospital

living at St. Margaret

s-JISurtkCt&k

up Parish in

Swannanoa

BEAUTIFUL YARDS

START HERE

Center

— —

living at St. Vincent Parish in

Charlotte

Tien Duong

Belmont Abbey College living at Queen of the Apostles Parish in Belmont Belmont Abbey Due Duong

College

living at St. Patrick Cathedral

in Charlotte

— continued Europe Bryan Lamberson — The Catholic Ann News & Herald — Parish Charlotte Matthew Leonard — clinical education Carolinas Medical Patrick Cathedral Center — Charlotte Vincent Seminary Luis Osorio — Latrobe, summer session Ray Williams — The Franciscan Pius X Church — Center and studies in

•AZALEAS

pastoral

at

living at St.

parish in

ACRES OF HEALTHY SHRUBS & TREES GROWN HERE ON OUR OWN NURSERY

Pa.

in

living at

St.

St.

•HOLLIES •TREES OVER 25

Pius

X

Parish in Greensboro

SEE YOUR YELLOW PAGES

three

morning

light,

a pastor and

cluster of parishioners gather to survey

the smoldering ruins, trying to figure out

what to do next and why on earth someone

would set fire to their church. Sound like a civil rights-era scene of the 1960s rural South?

strike out in hate.

At a May 21 congressional hearing on church fires, witnesses from one state and four federal law enforcement agencies and several church organizations painted somewhat contrasting pictures

of what the rash of fires means. Witnesses from the FBI, the Treasury and Justice departments and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms described the extent of their

Yes, but it' s also been an increasingly

investigations and the legal restrictions

common sequence of events in the 1 990s.

under which they operate. John Magaw, director of the ATF,

In the past six years, federal

have investigated arson fires as 60 predominantly black churches, 25 of them since the beginning

uncovered

of 1995. Five of the suspicious fires in 1995 and five in 1996 were set on or around Jan. 15, Martin Luther King Jr.

conspiracy.

authorities

many

at as

Majority Rule

was

said a race-motivated conspiracy

two

South Carolina, but that there has been no evidence of an interstate or nationwide in at least

fires in

Cannot Violate Inalienable Rights, from page

the Constitution and Bill of Rights "a specific limitation

He

former editor of Philadelphia's archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Standard & Times, Archbishop Foley

home

described the Catholic press as

medium by which the pope and bishops "can communicate the

the principle

A

returned to his

1

faith."

on the majoritarian

whim of this moment."

fullness of Christ' s love to a world looking

for direction, for

and Canada. are "more than journalists," he

hope and for love."

Philadelphia Cardinal Anthony

diocese to address

Catholic journalists from the United States

J.

Bevilacqua also addressed convention delegates. In his homily during Mass

May 23 at the cathedral, the cardinal said

&

said.

if

Jesus

in

evangelizers, religious educators and, in

a

home page on

supporting the seminarians of our diocese.

a very real sense, ministers of the word."

Your support, offered through prayers and words of encouragement, goes a

In his homily, the archbishop said

"He'd use everything that can be used to spread the good news," he added, including newspapers, television, radio

The readers of The Catholic News Herald have been most responsive

long

way

in helping

our

men

to the

priesthood. I

hope

many of you have an to meet these men who look

opportunity

"We

are,

at

the

same

time,

the Catholic press exemplifies both

freedom of speech and of the press and freedom of religion.

"We

that

are free

— indeed eager —

to

was

living today he

would have

the Internet.

and computers.

The Paul

II

cardinal noted that

Pope John

has called for renewal and a

new

evangelization to prepare for the third

of service as priests in

publish news which other media are reluctant to report," he said, "news about

As you continue

the religious and spiritual dimension of

"You are a most important instrument

them, I encourage you to look within your family and your parish

the human person, news about the origin,

of Jesus Christ," he told journalists. Every individual in the church "has that

forward to a

life

to pray for

CALL FOR DIRECTIONS OR

two or

We

the diocese of Charlotte.

LOCATED BETWEEN MOORESVILLE & CONCORD ON HWY. 136

What was a common tactic of opponents of civil rights in the 1960s seems to again be in vogue as a way to

living at St.

in

St.

•DOGWOODS

Day.

Service

in flames, silhouetting

In the

David Brzoska, Christopher Davis, Shawn O'Neal, Frank Seabo and language training Arturo DeAgular and cultural exposure in Mexico Diocesan Media Joseph Dinh

Common

ZAPOR

figures running for the woods.

Mary

Brad Jones

(704) 663-5044 MON-SAT 9-5

News

There's a sudden crack glass breaking in a quiet, rural night. It's followed moments later by the whoosh of spreading fire as a small church goes

opportunity to expand their horizons, deepen their skills for ministry and share

1996

The'60's:

Church Firebombings Becoming

O 'Rourke

31,

community

for

men who you

destiny and sacredness of

believe

human

life."

Catholic journalists are "free from

millennium.

obligation to bring Christ and his

good

have gifts for priesthood and encourage them to call me so that together we might

the pressure of prevailing political correctness ... (and) from the prejudice

news"

discern the Lord's call.

against mentioning God," he said. "We are free ... to tell our government when it is wrong," he added, referring

choice, social responsibility and tax

worldwide, 99.9 percent are lay persons, Cardinal Bevilacqua said. "That's a powerful force." He urged journalists to challenge and encourage the laity to evangelize. "We must be people of buoyancy and

policy.

zeal,"

"Thank God that in this city we have been guaranteed the freedom to speak out in defense of God's law and of the rights of God's children," he said, noting

fatigue" caused by frustration with evil

that Catholic journalists should use the

both reflecting and defending the teachings and policies of the church. "There must be relevancy ... comprehensiveness ... objectivity," he

specifically to abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, sexual mores, school

IThe Rich Sound of a Pipe Organ competetively priced

JOHANNUS World's Finest Church Organs

freedom "with courage and with prudence."

"Sound of Pipes" Sampled from European Pipe Organs.

For information

Archbishop Foley said the Catholic

call or

write

FIJusip^ElectponiGs.lnG.

1337 Central Ave. Charlotte, N.C. 28205 (704) 375-8108 (800) 331-0768

to others.

Of almost

1

billion Catholics

he said, to combat "evangelization

in the world.

The

cardinal

said

Catholic

publications "must always be Catholic,"

press exemplifies freedom of religion

said.

"not only in fearlessly proclaiming the law of God but also in faithfully

Opponents of evangelization are "jamming the signals of Christ," he warned. Secular humanism and moral

nourishing the flock of Christ." "In a world forgetful of the spiritual

and

indeed eternal dimensions of human

he said, "the Catholic press will often be the only medium through which on an ongoing basis believers will be informed, formed and inspired in their life,"

relativism are powerful forces, but they

can be conquered. "Don't be frustrated; don't become mission-fatigued," he counseled. "Be filled with hope. You are the eyes, ears and lips of Jesus Christ."


May

The Catholic News

31, 1996

& Herald

Enterta in men "Dunston Checks In" (1996) Goofy comedy in which chaos threatens to overtake a swanky Manhattan hotel when an orangutan trained to steal escapes his odious owner

and is hidden by the mischievous son of

manager (Jason Ken Kwapis makes screwball show business out of manic monkey business. Slapstick

the frazzled hotel

Actor

Tom

Cruise

Alexander). Director

portrays spy Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible," which the U.S. Catholic

Conference

calls "high-

violence, mild sexual innuendo and a

vulgar expression.

style escapist

is A-II adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating

entertainment."

is

CNS

The U.S. Catholic

Conference classification

PG — parental guidance suggested.

"Frankie Starlight" (1995) Quirky drama set in Ireland, where a lonely adult dwarf (Corban Walker) recalls the story of how his French World War II refugee mother (Anne

photo from Paramount

him with the help of an Irish family whose oldest daughter finds unexpected romance with him later. Director Michael Lindsay-Hogg's bittersweet tale of offbeat romances over two generations is full of charm and pathos. Brief violence including suicides, a bedroom scene and occasional rough language. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A- III adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R Parillaud) raised

Mission: Impossible

High Tech Effects Give Spy Flick Action Appeal NEW YORK

(CNS)

— With

its

impossible-to-forget theme music and a

head-spinning plot, Paramount's "Mission: Impossible" seems unlikely to self-destruct

next to muscle out

at least until the

summer blockbuster tries this one.

Commanding

center stage as star

and first-time producer, Tom Cruise carries the 1960s TV-series-turnedaction-thriller, despite an overly complicated narrative some viewers may elect to give up on and just go along for the chase.

With

its

lightning pacing

editing to match

and

the audience is zipped

from Kiev to Prague to Virginia to London and hurtled on toward Paris after the trap is set for our hero, Impossible Missions Forces spy Ethan Hunt (Cruise). The only character preserved from the series is the covert operation's team leader, Jim Phelps (Jon Voight). With his spy- spouse Claire

(Emanuelle Beart) and colleagues Cruise, Emilio Estevez, Kristin Scott- Thomas and Ingeborga Dapkunaite, their mission is to apprehend a traitor about to sell a computer disk listing all the CIA operatives around the world and their locations. The team's dazzling, split-second snatch scenario goes terribly awry, and

becomes very acquisitive about the list while two other disavowed spies (Ving Rhames and Jean Reno) join forces with Hunt to get it as well. Also cheering Hunt on is Claire Phelps, who as it turns out was not killed and wants her husband avenged. She is also supposed to provide romantic sparks with Cruise, but gorgeous as she is,

he's too fiercely focused to notice.

Under Brian De Palma's direction, David Koepp and Robert Towne's screenplay

is

so dense with wild action

sophisticated wit haven't got a chance.

toys that

All the sophistication

seems to reside

in

the wizardry of the high-tech gizmos,

without which this espionage

thriller

would never get off the ground. And get off the ground it does in perhaps the most memorable scene in which Cruise hangs suspended from a wire inside the Langley, Va., CIA headquarters where even one drop of sweat will betray his presence and ensure

his arrest.

At times the familiar theme music is more pulse-pounding than the byzantine story line. But De Palma pulls out

all

climax

the stops with a high-firepower set atop a train inside the

England-France chunnel as the seemingly unstoppable Hunt takes on the finally revealed villains for literally

minutes of taut suspense extremely

fingers

reminiscent of Hitchcock.

In

Ever visually sleek, and with expensive production values very much

their midst all along.

Unwilling to take the fall, Hunt goes on the run, a hunted man still determined to capture the coveted list and expose

in evidence, this

the true killer.

narrative murkiness

would be unfair to further describe more twists than a French braid and is just as hairy given its

the pieces of the puzzle for

It

the plot which has

danger- laden set pieces. Suffice it to add that a wily Vanessa Redgrave

deserving star billing are

with Hunt as the only apparent survivor,

him as the obviously guilty party. fact, Kittridge suspected a mole in

not want to work that hard keeping up with the plot while others won't care as long as everything keeps moving at breakneck speed and that it does. Cruise is at his cocky best and buffed to perfection as a male action hero who knows he must use his brain muscle more than any other to survive. Except for the cagey Redgrave character, the women are mostly window dressing. Voight, Czerny, Rhames and Reno give appropriately ambiguous shadings to their characters to keep us all guessing. Also

scenes that character development and

CIA honcho

Kittridge (Henry Czerny),

may

all

pump up the fun factor in watching the all the spies out to outdo each other. Playing heavily on the nostalgia element for older viewers and computer wizardry for the younger audience, "Mission: Impossible" covers its bases and its complexity might actually

work

in its favor, spurring those

now

that they

know what was

hurt

escapist entertainment.

is

Some

glossy

viewers

"Get Shorty" (1995) Black comedy finds parallels between movie-making and racketeering

when

a gangster (John

Travolta) tries to collect a debt owed by

an inept movie producer (Gene Hackman), then decides to produce movies with him instead. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld from Elmore Leonard's novel, the fast-paced, wickedly funny satire lampoons the Hollywood world of unabashedly greedy, would-be movers and shakers. Brief violence, restrained bedroom scenes and recurring rough language.

The U.S. Catholic Conference

— R — restricted.

adults. The is A-III Motion Picture Association of classification

America rating

is

"Les Miserables" (1995) Updated version of Victor Hugo's epic novel follows the attempts of a

French laborer (Jean-Paul Belmondo) to spirit a Jewish family out of Nazioccupied France, punctuated by periodic readings from the novel paralleling Jean Valjean's struggles with those of the laborer. Director Claude Lelouch' s adaptation retains the humanist themes of the original work but proves unwieldy in straining to

World War

'

s

II.

characters with those Subtitles.

Recurring

intense violence including suicides and

when the audience has to reassemble all

The movie undeniably

restricted.

in

until the end,

comprehension.

mirror the novel

by too much

maximum

really

going on. Because of some stylized violence and occasional profanity, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is AIII adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

spy flick gets by on is

who

enjoyed it to return for an encore viewing

spectacular special effects and exciting action scenes, but

the techno-

The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R a brief sexual encounter.

THE CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION

CAMPAIGN

restricted.

7


8

The Catholic News

& Herald

May

1996

31,

Meeting the pilgrim

God

in

By Dan Luby News Service

Catholic

had been fine when these people visited, coming into the country with a small delegation to buy food. But now they were actually moving in. Leaving their land behind, they were bringing It

their worldly possessions on their

all

backs,

my U and

tent. It

^w-

embraced both:

For Catholics, a time of year people honor the origins of their country and reflect on their roots as a

disciples of Jesus, the teacher

squalling ba-

and fearful grandmas and noisy animals and a hungry look that made the natives

the end had no place to lay his

(a

head.

Like

be very welcoming toward them. It is the story of the to

wanderers. For we are refugees in search of a final home and a per-

manent

we who remember our own

had no

how

they

fam-

left

place to lay his head."

experience as newstrangers in a foreign

comers

and

and tolerance, and recognize a extend the same to those among us whose language is different and whose ways are unfamiliar. Our stories, at their core, are the same. God, who calls us to go on pilgrimage through this world and this life, calls us all. Deeper than the differences that make us strange and even threatening to each other is our bond as beloved children of the one God, who calls us to recognize our kinship. To feel patriotic is to be grateful for the gifts God bestowed on us as a napitality call to

spirituality of these our ancestors in

As refugees and

exiles

ers, the Israelites

came

and wander-

to recognize traveled with them. The pilgrim God, who traveled with Israel into wastelands and wilds, is not confined to one place. They came to know that God was mighty enough and loving enough to be with them wherever

God

they went. In the Exodus journey in particular, the commitment and presence of God was manifested in the fact that Israel built not a temple of stone, but a tent of sticks and hides to house the divine presence. The people had to be ready to

move on. The pattern of wandering was etched so deeply into the Israelite spirit that even at the height of their powers, with great armies and mighty kings and a glorious temple, they did not forget their roots. They recognized themselves as aliens in God's land, abiding there by divine generosity. And their law made allowances for the just treatment of foreigners in their midst, including them in the Sabrest.

The prophets continually called Israel to "remember and not forget" that their father Abraham was a "wandering Aramean" and that their God is a God of the journey. Israel was a people of both temple

priorities sur-

rounding us were often different and sometimes hostile to our own. We recall with gratitude expressions of hos-

faith.

bath

land where the language and customs, the values

ine in their homeland and moved to Egypt in search of greater opportunity. And it is a story that echoes throughout Israel's history: The people wandered in the desert for the 40 years of the Exodus; for 50 years they were exiled in the civilized "wilderness" of Babylon; and they experienced endless deportations to countries strange and hostile to their religion and customs. All these experiences shaped the

that

best,

are a people

the

story of

peace.

At our

ancient Israelites I'm tell-

ing

we

follow Christ are all essentially

streets of ...

an-

who

'wandering

wandered the Palestine and

inclined

the

cient Israelites,

Aramean') and disciples of Jesus, the teacher who

Nobody

the

streets of Palestine and who in

Abraham

anxious.

who

wandered

"Our identity as people of one country (where we love our land) intermeshes with our identity as children of

with

©1996 by CNS

one country intermeshes with our identity as children of Abraham and

gration issues. Many citizens find themselves resenting the influx of

when

contents copyright

addition, have needs like the rest of us. It seems important in these times to consider how our identity as people of

Today, passions in my part of the world tend to run high around immi-

and dependence.

ability

All

and allow room for the higher loyalty the Gospel commands?

—Temple worship's stable permanence and glory, and. —Tent spirituality's simple vulner-

bies

was

*s

The challenge is to commit ourselves to sharing those gifts as generously as God shares them.

tion.

CNS

photos,

IN

Does

by Sunrise/Trinity. Mimi Forsyth and Mary

T

Ellert

(Luby is the director of the Division of Christian Formation for the Diocese of Forth Worth, Texas, and a free-lance

people from other countries people whose language and customs and outlook seem alien, and who, in

is

FAITH

to right,

a time to reflect on how faith shapes and transforms patriotism. How does love of country acknowledge people

left

writer.)

THE MARKETPLACE Christ ask too

much when

it

comes

"He only asks us to do what he did: to Esper, Traverse City, Mich.

to caring for people

welcome

all

and

turn

who

no one away.

are different from us? I

don't think that's asking too much."

— Mark

believe the Christian message is about inclusion because we're all reconciled in Christ. It's not about taking care only have to be convinced in our own minds of what needs to be done and then do it." don't think it's easy.... William Messenger, Los Angeles, Calif.

"I

of our own....

— in

We

I

"Absolutely not. He asks us to take care of each other, and Bobbi Kenny, Oxford, Ohio the world."

if

we

all

acted that out there would be a whole

lot

less trouble

"No.... Whatever he asks of us we need to do. Sometimes we don't think we're able to help someone different from that we're not qualified, or that we just don't know what to do, but we should be open to helping others." ourselves Coppinger, Parkville, Md.

"No.

Because

all

much

people are made in the likeness of God, and we have to seek that likeness in others. Once we have, Pam Baker, Leavenworth, Kan. easier to care for ... even those we may view as different."

An upcoming like to

Liz

edition asks: Tell of a time

respond

you thought you did your best

to

pass

What did you do? If you would Washington, D.C. 20017-1100.

faith on.

for possible publication, please write: Faith Alive! 3211 Fourth St. N.E.,

it's


May

31, 1996

The Catholic News

FAITH

patriotism look like? pel" (No. 2242).

By Father Paul J. Schmidt Catholic News Service

The catechism uses a word that is dear to the pope when describing the boundaries of patriotism: "solidarity."

a sad fact that "the world has yet how to live with diversity," Pope John Paul II said when he spoke to the U.N. General Assembly in New York in October 1995. That which makes the world's peoples different "can sometimes be felt as a burden or even as a threat," he explained. What the pope told us that day is not to fear our differences. He said that, yes, every nation "has the right to shape its life according to its own traditions," though this does not

In simplest terms, to exercise solidarity means to exercise our individual rights in a context: the context of the common good. We are called always to be aware of the needs of others and, in response to those needs, to adjust our self-interest.

It is

to learn

include any right to abuse basic human rights or, in particular, to

oppress mi-

Every nation has a right to

its culture,

he said. But, he added, "we need to

own

between

an unhealthy form of nationalism, which teaches contempt for

keep them

photo by Michael

J.

Okoniewski

Solidarity goes beyond self-interest. Solidarity motivates a wealthy country to aid a poor country, a strong country to defend a helpless country from aggression. Solidarity moves citizens to welcome refugees from places devastated by war. Of course, immigrants have obligations toward their host country too, says

the catechism. Ethnic groups have obligations to work for unity with their fellow citizens. A minority group can become divisive by clinging excessively

and exclusively

to its prerogatives.

Catholics celebrate the Eucharist, the sacrament of unity. At the "Exchange of Peace" we declare that we are at peace with one another in the Spirit of Christ.

We

are true patriots and loyal citiwe hold that peace in our hearts and are able to share it. We need to be able to say "Peace be with you" and

zens

if

mean

is

and rejection

strong enough to is high, Pastor

Israel's love of the land it

called

home mission to take some of the land of Israel back to Syria with him: "Please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth, for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other God except to the Lord" (2 Kings 5:17). How sacred the land was in Israel is illustrated also by the celebration every 50th year of a great jubilee, a year of general liberation. Then, if a person had lost his land because of debt and foreclosure, it was to be returned to him.

By Father John J. Castelot Catholic News Service

Naboth had a vineyard close to King Ahab's property. The king decided it would make a nice addition to his own real-estate holdings and offered to buy it. Naboth answered, "I will not give you my ancestral heritage" (1 Kings

The

people's traditional stories told

God promising Abraham a land of his

over and over again of their forefather

own: give to your descendants afyou the land in which you are now staying, the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent possession, and I will be their God" (Genesis 17:8). So the Israelites were possessive of "I will

ter

their land.

But

this possessiveness

made them sensitive to the plight of people who were refugees from their own homelands. In fact, the law urged

The land was a sacred

CNS

— they are weakened —

Barndt believes.

trust, as God's as theirs. A fascinating story about love for the land involved the Syrian general Naaman. He had been cured of leprosy by the prophet Elisha. Naaman was so impressed that he was determined to worship Israel's God. But Naaman felt there would be a problem about doing this back in Syria which he didn't think was God's land. So he asked per-

much

cause it "can lead to a true nightmare of

common good make morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote and to defend one's country" (No. 2240). But the catechism says there are limits to this obedience. "The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they be contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gos-

separated. The cost of isolation

truly

years; selling it would have been an affront to all his ancestors. This attitude toward the land was typical among the Israelites. They looked upon the land as a gift from God, a national and sacred heritage.

comments. He decried "a narrow and exclusive nationalism which denies any rights to the other." Why? Be-

it

of society suffer deprivation

So the queen, Jezebel, who considered her husband a spineless wimp, took matters into her own hands. She trumped up false charges against Naboth, had him executed and appropriated his vineyard. Naboth had regarded his land as a sort of extension of himself and would not have parted with it at any price. The land had been in the family for

tion in his

The Catechism of the Catholic Church discusses the duties of citizens in its treatment of the Fourth Commandment. "Submission to authority and co-re-

members

the "cultural curtain" dividing different cultural groups

21:4).

other nations or cultures, and patriotism, which is a proper love of one's country. "True patriotism never seeks to advance the well-being of one's own nation at the expense of others," the pope said. Patriotism of the kind the pope described is a virtue. The pope included a strong note of cau-

sponsibility for the

when

nation at the

expense of others,' the pope said" when he spoke to the U.N. General Assembly.

violence and terror." Recent events in Central Africa and in the former Yugoslavia further illustrate his point.

possible for growth to occur

Reflection: All

"True patriotism never seeks to advance

clarify the essential

difference

is

into

The catechism says: "The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin" (No 2241).

the well-being of one's

norities.

ACTION

in society when different cultural groups "come extended contact with each other," but it is also possible to prevent cultural interaction by allowing an impenetrable "cultural curtain" to descend between cultural groups, writes Pastor Joseph Barndt in Dismantling Racism, The Continuing Challenge to White America (Augsburg Fortress, 426 S. Fifth St., Minneapolis, Minn. 55440. 1991. Paperback, $15.99). Mr. Barndt, a Lutheran pastor, describes the effects of the isolation created by this cultural curtain. Cultural isolation "prevents us from sharing in the riches of other cultures" and drains us in other important ways, he believes. It

What does

IN

& Herald

concern for such people: "You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 22:20).

The Israelites were never to forget where their own ancestors came from. (Father Castelot

is

scholar, author, teacher

a Scripture

and

lecturer.)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Frightening

consequences flow from a "fear of Pope John Paul insisted

nations and cultures,

II

'difference'" directed at other at U.N.

headquarters Oct.

5,

1995.

a loss for everyone is attached to the fear of these differences. "To cut from the reality of difference or worse, to attempt to stamp out that difference is to cut oneself off from the possibility of sounding the depths of the mystery of human life," he said. If nationalism cuts people off this way, it must not be confused with patriotism, he stressed. But what strikes real terror is the violence that erupts when fear of nations and cultures that are different prevails. It can mean denying- the other's humanity. The result is "that people fall into a cycle of violence in which no one is spared, not First,

oneself

off

even the children." People are not simply

different, the pope said. There is a "fundamental commonality." For "different cultures are but different ways of facing the question of the meaning of personal existence." Which leads us to the whole matter of respect. The pope explained that "respect for the culture of others is ... rooted in our respect for each community's attempt to answer the question of human life."

it.

(Father Schmidt is director of Priests Personnel for the Diocese of Oakland, Calif, and a free-lance writer.)

David Gibson 24

Editor, Faith Alive!

9


10 The Catholic

News

& Herald

May

People Father Brummel Wins CPA's St. Francis De Sales Award

PHILADELPHIA Claretian Father Mark J.

and publisher

at

(CNS)

In

was announced

programs founded by Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton are polling his supporters to see whether they should pursue a

24,

CPA's annual

The winner of

sainthood cause for the "rosary priest." who died in 1992, coined the slogans "The family that prays

the award,

Father Peyton,

named for the patron saint of journalists, selected by mail-in ballot of CPA members. Candidates are nominated for their "outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism. Father Brummel was nominated as "a shining example of how mutual respect and trust can lead to great

and "A world at Born in Ireland in 1909, he came to the United States at age 1 9 and entered the seminary, but advanced tuberculosis threatened his life. He eventually recovered from the disease and a lung hemorrhage and in 1941 was ordained a priest. He always credited his recovery to Mary and out of gratitude to her founded the Family Rosary Crusade in Albany in 1942. together, stays together"

is

prayer

achievements" in his 26-year career with Claretian Publications. Among its publications are U.S. Catholic, Salt of the Earth, Context and U.S. Parish.

is

a world at peace."

Dole Preaches Traditional Values To Catholic Press Convention PHILADELPHIA (CNS) Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole preached the

Lech Walesa Honored At Special Mass At New York Cathedral

gospel of traditional values to the Catholic

the former Solidarity leader and president

Press Association, telling church

of Poland, was honored

journalists the fall presidential election

May 21

will

NEW YORK (CNS) — Lech Walesa,

"We (public officials) must

speak not just for innovative policies but for enduring values like family, work, responsibility and tolerance," said Dole,

nominee for He spoke in Philadelphia May

23, at the convention.

annual

CPA

national

communism, was defeated for re-election last November by a former communist,

Commissioner Asks Press For More News

U.N. Refugee

Aleksander Kwasniewski. At an evening ceremony May 22, he was to receive the annual award of the Path to Peace Foundation, an agency established by the Vatican nuncio to the United Nations to carry out projects related to the Vatican's U.N. role

WASHINGTON (CNS) Sadako Ogata wants the world's journalists to pay more attention to wars and their victims. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees understands that much of the world has no idea that it' s someone' job

New

'

.

the likely Republican president.

Mass

at a special

Cathedral in

at St. Patrick's

York. Although many of those attending were Polish-Americans, Cardinal John J O Connor, celebrant and homilist, said all Americans were indebted to Walesa for "helping bring down the monster of communism." Walesa, who was elected in 1990 as Poland's first democraticallychosen president after the fall of

be a referendum on the country's

basic values.

hers, to be specific

Salford Bishop Patrick Kelly Liverpool LIVERPOOL, England (CNS) Bishop Patrick A. Kelly of Salford has been named the new archbishop of Liverpool, succeeding Archbishop Derek Worlock, who died in February. The announcement of his appointment was made May 21 in Liverpool and Rome. Archbishop Kelly pledged to continue

to see to the

care of more than 27 million people

Two Of Top Three Essay Awards

of the Family Rosary and Family Theater

Chicago, received the Catholic Press Association's highest honor, the annual St. Francis de Sales Award. The award

convention.

Students Win

Possible Sainthood Cause For Famed 'Rosary Priest' ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) Leaders

in

May

The News St. Patrick

Brummel, editor

in Philadelphia

1996

million others "of concern" to the agency.

Claretian Publications

the final day of the

31,

Named Archbishop Of

who

have been uprooted from their homes by war, violence and human rights abuses. She told a National Press Club audience May 21 in Washington that without attention from the media, many of the world's "forgotten conflicts" could go on indefinitely, steadily adding to the toll of people that the U.N. agency must help protect, resettle and eventually return to

the

commitment

shown

by

his

Third graders Evan Thurbee, front left, and Kelley Hennessy, front right, were recent first and third place Winners in the Lucretia Shaffer Lynch Memorial Creative Award Carolinas Essay Contest. Behind Evan and Kelley are (from left) LSLM Foundation President Vincent Lynch, St. Patrick School third grade teacher Ellie Fagan and Public Relations Consultant Christine Wilkie.

CHARLOTTE — On May third grade students

11,

from the same

two

class

at St. Patrick Elementary School received honors in the Lucretia Shaffer Lynch Memorial Creative Award Carolinas Essay Contest. Evan Thurbee, 9, was awarded first place and a $ 1 000 U.S. Savings Bond for his essay, while Kelley Hennessy, 8, won third place and a $250 U.S. Savings Bond. Both Evan and Kelley wrote their essays about alternative land uses for tobacco farmers and submitted their entries to their teacher, Ellie Fagan. This was the first year for the contest, which is divided into three grade categories and has a first, second and third place winner for each category. Schools from North and South Carolina were invited to participate and 47 schools submitted essays. Overall, more than 1 85

essays were entered in the contest.

Evan

and Kelley won first and third place for grades one through four.

homelands. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees counts 14.5 million refugees from their home

justice.

Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral of

Contest guidelines requested that stu-

countries, 5.4 million people displaced

Christ the King, Archbishop Kelly spoke

dents write essays suggesting alternative

inside their own countries, 4 million people

of his friendship and admiration for the

land uses for tobacco farmers. Essays

who have recently returned home and 3.5

late

predecessor to ecumenism and social

their

During the press conference

at

were judged on

Archbishop Worlock.

practicality

and creative

was not the intent of those involved with the organization nor the participants, to criticize the industry, but thought. "It

to create a

new way

of thinking to allow

growth and prosperity for all," said Vincent P. Lynch, Foundation president. "I created this memorial in honor of my wife, a former educator and philanthropist, and it was meant to pay homage to her. However, today I realize it is as much a gift to me ... these students and educators have made me proud. We look forward to hosting the program again next year."

\

/

THE ORATORY 434 Charlotte Avenue P.O. Box 11586 Rock Hill, SC 29731 (803) 327-2097

Visions In Faith June 16 - 19 1996 Richard Gula, SS Richard Gula returns to Visions in

Joseph

TheFmnclscan Center &

Charlotte,

& GIFTS for ALL occasions! Confirmation, Bibles, 1st Communion,

BOOKS

Statues,

Medals

&

more

!

[9101 273-2551

233 N. Greene St.

Greensboro. NC

27101

O'Rourke

Accountant 4921 Albemarle Road, Suite 116

Catholic Gifts Book Store PROGRAMS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Rosaries,

P.

Certified Public

n

NC 28205

Tax

consultation, planning, and preparation for individuals and small businesses. Accounting services available.

(704) 568-7886

Faith from teaching and writing at St. Patrick seminary. He will guide us

through ethical issues and questions on euthanasia and care of the dying. He is currently publishing books on

both topics. Visions in faith is designed for renewal in theology and pastoral questions for laity, religious, teachers and clergy. Sessions are in late afternoon and evening. Overnight provisions are available, while the schedule encourages commuters.


May

31,

1996

& Herald

The Catholic News

Family Theater

1

Names

Graduate Prepares For Three To Latino Radio Show Internship In Washington — HOLLYWOOD (CNS) Family Theater Productions has hired three award-winning Latino playwrights to

whose lives parallel most of what U.S. Latinos face today. The second half will

new Spanish-language

feature a live call-in discussion moderated

dramatic radio series, "La Historia de Quien Soy" ("The Story of Who I Am") slated to be available for national

by a journalist and featuring specialists. Solano's credits include PBS' "Reading Rainbow" and "The Puzzle Place" as well as the Warner Brothers Network drama "Savannah."

develop

a

syndication in the winter.

and

Playwright

television

screenwriter Bernardo Solano

multigenerational Catholic Latino family

head

Castillo's play "Triptico Perverso"

He will be assisted by novelist and playwright Alberto Castillo and Olivia Chumacero, a writer, actress and director, in writing 48 episodes. They will be working in conjunction

("Perverse Triptych") was playing on stage in Mexico City. He has also had a

is

writer.

with Cecilia Gonzalez, director of Latino radio

programming

The show's feature

the

Family Theater. half-hour will experiences of a for

first

novel, "Letargo de Bahia" ("Bay Lethargy") published.

Chumacero

has

written

the

documentary "Mbamba," the plays "Vision Hunters" and "Cubuliando in Motion," and the stage adaptation of the novel "Bless Me Ultima."

MARY COYNE WESSLING WINSTON-SALEM — Like most

By

graduates, Yesenia Ayala has her summer plans set in place. First comes graduation

from Bishop .McGuinness High

School. Next, a

summer

internship in

Washington, D.C. Lastly, ajourney back to her native Puerto

Rico to begin her

college career.

Yesenia, or Yessie (pronounced Jessie) as her friends call her,

energetic

17 year-old

is

a bright,

who came

to

Winston-Salem five years ago from Puerto Rico. She was shy at first, but Yessie learned to open up to the world and, in turn, the possibilities in

life

opened up for her. Today, she is an excellent student, active in several volunteer activities at

school and her parish,

Displaced People

3.83

Mercy.

mill ion in Iran,

Pakistan, India and former Soviet Republics and internally displaced

Largest refugee populations by country of origin or nationality

2.05

million in Zaire,

Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda and internally displaced

Attending the Hispanic Mass at Our Lady of Mercy brought Yessie in touch with other Hispanic people. It didn't take long for Yessie to discover that the immi-

million in Croatia,

displaced

1.73

million in Guinea,

Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Ivory Coast,

internally displaced

peers challenge their commitment.

to

do what she could

to help the

immigrants. at

©1996 CNS

Graphics

them. As president of the Bishop

Yessie gets

-MORE THAN JUST A CAMP"

much

SUMMER OF FUN, BUILDING CONFIDENCE & MOTIVATION"

"A

"When I first came here to live with my mom, I wouldn't go out of the apartment.

to get involved at church," she said.

I hated to see her go." Yessie said there are many things

she hates to see

like the poverty

and

many Hispanics face. "A lot of people want to believe that

discrimination

Hispanics take advantage of things

American culture. But the people I have met work very hard

that they don't respect

and they give back to their communities," she said. " I know

1

8-year-olds who work

poor working conditions for long hours and send the money they earn home to in

their families."

Yessie said the Hispanics she meets are very Christian people

In the

Girls

Ages 6-15

and they have so much more

Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina

trust in

For brochure and inlcmation write or call Spencer or Dorothy Boyd 1229 Montreal. Road • Black Mountain, N.C. 28711

V

(704) 669-8766

who have

helped deepen her own faith. "These are people who have it much worse than I

A Summer Camp For Boys

God

It is

is

faith.

Their

strong."

evident that Yessie takes her

Perhaps mature beyond her years, Yessie takes great comfort in praying and meditating daily. When she faith seriously.

J

it."

Yessie' s self-confidence has brought

other rewards besides a deepening faith. Recently, she learned she was among a select group of 30 high school students chosen to intern with the Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington. The Insti-

ership skills of Hispanics living in the

her culture.

A Summer Camp For Ages 6-16

many young

tute is dedicated to cultivating the lead-

In the past five years, Yessie and her mother have opened their home to people in need. "One woman from Guatemala was like a grandmother to me," Yessie said. "She taught us so many things about

TIAilWRLAICK

think

of her inspiration

me

iiicrri-msic

in. I

from her mother, chairperson of the Hispanic League of Piedmont.

to help others

was tough adjusting. I stayed inside for about three weeks. Then my mom urged

c:iui|»

believe

show

It

f

I

immigrants. In the course of translating for them, she learned about their struggles and needs. Soon she began to help raise funds and collect food and clothing for

million in

Source: World Refugee Survey 1996

what

people are spiritual but they're afraid to

bers involved in the cause as well.

West Bank/Gaza Strip, Jordon

Some

of my friends question my religious habits. They're likely to think that because I pray I'm some kind of saint. I tell them anybody can pray. I'm not afraid to say

Baptist Hospital interpreting for Hispanic

McGuinness Spanish Club, she got mem-

3.29

are true to their

shelter, clothing and decent jobs. Like her mother, Betsy Silva, Yessie chose to reach out through the Hispanic ministry

Every week Yessie volunteered

internally

"Young people who

religion have problems because their

Yugoslavia, Slovenia,

Macedonia and

not busy with school or volunteering, Yessie likes to read, listen to gospel music and pray the rosary. is

grants lacked many basic needs like food,

and

2.21

Yesenia Ayala

Our Lady of

United States. Yessie will experience a work environments there, including the House of Representatives, and attend seminars featuring Hispanic community, political and business leaders. Yessie hopes to include volunteering as an interpreter in her internship. Yessie admits the summer internship sounds challenging but, she quickly adds, "I am looking forward to it." While in Washington she will live on the campus of George Washington University. variety of

When the internship ends Aug. 13, Yessie will have just a week to get ready to leave for college in Puerto Rico. Though it saddens her that she will not be living with her mother for the next four years, Yessie is happy to be going. She will attend the University of Sacred Heart in San Turce and major in Public Relations.

Wherever she goes, Yessie

said she

will never forget her five years in

Win-

ston-Salem and her time at Bishop McGuinness High School. "I love this school," she said. "It helps

and challenges

me

me spiritually

intellectually."

Mostly, she will miss the people in Winston-Salem. "They're the best thing about this city," she said. "Even though

some

are not tolerant of other people's

cultures, there are

are ready to help."

many more

here

who


12 The Catholic

News

& Herald

May

CCHS Graduates Awarded

Egan Reflects On Lifelong Commitment To Peace Eileen

Scholarships For Study

All of these are

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic

interrelated,

Egan

High School recently announced the

told Catholic

News

following scholarship winners: Rebecca Amar received a $4,500 per year scholarship to Elon College, a $2,000 scholarship to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Service during a May interview at her upper East Side apartment in New York.

"Peace

a

is

constituent element

of the Gospel," she

"And

said.

think

I

of us, as an expression of our all

should be working for peace. It's just a simple expression of our faith,

To honor Egan, last

year

announced

the

Egan

Eileen

Journalism Awards. The

two

first

recipients

journalists writing

Catholic

for

CNS

photo by Nancy Wiechec

Catholic

Worker and Pax

Christi

NANCY HARTNAGEL NEW YORK (CNS) — In Eileen By

Egan's

life

and work, peace has been the

For nearly four decades, she

that

overseas aid agency of the U.S. Catholic

CRS

community, to people made homeless and poor by wars and disasters. As one of the Catholic Worker family in New York, she served up soup, hospitality and, at the Worker's Friday night meetings, talks on the needs she saw abroad. She lobbied bishops on war and peace issues at the Second Vatican Council and U.S. bishops' meetings. In the 1960s, she

founded the American PAX became Pax Christi

Association, which

U.S.A., a branch of the international peace organization.

She Rights

first

pressed the U.N.

Commission

to

Human declare

is

22-24. trip to tour

written extensively: numerous essays and articles for The Catholic Worker newspaper and other publications; books about CRS, refugees and the works of mercy as works of peace; biographies of her peaceable friends a book on Mother Teresa, a booklet on Dorothy Day. Currently, she is completing another book "The First Generation Since Genesis" entirely on peace. It will include a theology of peace based on the Sermon on the Mount, the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the Our Father as the ultimate peace prayer.

has

South Carolina. Christine Diaz received a $6,500 per

Natacha Dockery

received

a

Suzanne DuBose received a $ 1 5,000 per year scholarship to the college of her choice in North or South Carolina and a

doing."

for four years.

what made her happiest "is knowledge of what

"Because

they'll base the articles

on

reports of human need and the

wounds of

"And

that will

the world," she said.

increase compassion in the world."

Egan,

now in her 80s, is the oldest of

couple in Wales. Her father was a timber man who propped up coal mines. She identified early with "workers who had dangerous lives, but who were very good living, very honest and fine people." From her mother, Egan learned ecumenism and Gandhian nonviolence. Her own "primal identity ... as a Catholic, as a child of God" began "in embryo." "I got it from my mother really," she six children

born to an

Irish

remember when I was

and I was taken over (to Ireland) to make my First Communion. And I went into a store with her and there was a rosary hanging up on the wall." The child wanted the colorful beads, but her mother said no. "It was a rosary in the Sinn Fein colors, Egan said. "Now, my mother was for the freedom of Ireland, but not by the

She

Demert was awarded a $1,500

will spread

tribute,

said. "I

finally passed.

April

per year scholarship to The University of

scholarship to East Carolina University.

in

1970, and 17 years

resolution

Lisa Cicchillo received a $4,000 per

year scholarship to Lees-McRae College.

Association

conscientious objection a human right in later, the

awarded a $500-2000

$5,500 grant to study abroad. Mike Falencki received the Yale Scholarship, presented by Yale University, valued at $16,299 per year

said

it

also

scholarship to the college he chooses.

$11,000 per year. Nina Dry received a $1,500 per year

projects.

Egan

He was

Press

"Happily surprised" by the

represented Catholic Relief Services, the

Foundation, a part of the

National Merit Scholarship Competition.

scholarship to Boston College valued at

Their prize is an overseas

CRS

constant.

co-

May

Carroll received a $1,000

year scholarship to Queens College.

convention Philadelphia,

Matthew

per year scholarship from the National

developing the world were to be named at the Catholic

USA.

College.

publications about

Promoting peace has been a life-long constant for Eileen Egan and has included work with Catholic Relief Services, the

and an $800 scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Molly Beam received a $6,000 per year scholarship to Mary Baldwin College and a $ 1 ,500 per year scholarship to Elon College. Angela Blanken received a $2,500 per year scholarship to Lees-McRae

Gypsum

faith."

CRS

a

little girl

.

use of violence.

And

also, she didn't

want the church and the state ... to be united in that way or to have the rosary, which is a religious symbol, being used for a national cause.

"She gave

me

that very early, that

See Egan, page 16

31, 1996

Mike also received a $500

Hood Scholarship from Hood Hargett & Associates as a Hood Hargett Carolina Panthers Student Athlete of the Week. Celeste Gunning was chosen for a $4,500 per year scholarship to Loyola

University in

New

Orleans.

Annie Lenhart was awarded a $250 scholarship to the college of her choice.

Amy

Bucknell University and a $10,000 per year scholarship from Randolph-Macon

Women's

College.

Nicole Rademacher was chosen for a $6,308 per year scholarship to Clemson University.

Jennifer Schexnayder received a $3,256 scholarship from Winthrop University.

Andrea Schiefer was chosen for a $2,000 per year scholarship to Ohio University.

Lynn Scholtz was named a recipient of the Caroline Hodges Sparkman Leadership Scholarship at Saint Mary's College in Raleigh. The total award is valued at $4,250 per year. Christine Shearer received a $8,760 per year scholarship to Villanova University and was also chosen for two scholarships from The Catholic University of America, one valued at $7,500 per year and the other valued at $3,000 per year. Tom Shimshock received the Rensselaer Medal Math and Science Award of $10,00 per year to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. Andrea Simcox received the President's Scholar Award from

Winthrop University. The scholarship is worth $5,174 per year for four years. Andrea was also awarded a $1,500 scholarship to Elon College and a $7,000 per year scholarship from Belmont Abbey College. Julie Southern was chosen to receive The Catholic University of America's Cardinal Gibbons Scholarship. This

award is a $7,500 per year award based on academic merit, recommendations, extracurricular activities and outstanding leadership. Julie was also awarded a $500 scholarship from Appalachian State University. C.J.

Thomas was awarded

a $5,000

per year scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Asheville as part of the

Teaching Fellows Program.

received a $4,000 per year scholarship to Chowan College.

Brad Timmers was awarded a Cameron Morris Scholarship to attend

Littrell

$500

the University of North Carolina at

per year scholarship from Appalachian

Chapel Hill. The award is valued at $5,000

State University.

per year for four years. He was also awarded a $2,000 per year scholarship from North Carolina State University, a $750 scholarship to the college of his

Christina Lundgren received a

Brooks Luquire received a $3,000 per year scholarship to Wofford College. Jennifer McWilliams received two scholarships from Meredith College, one for $4,000 per year and one for $1,000 per year. Patrick Milligan

was awarded a

$12,000 scholarship from Oglethorpe University, a $6,250 scholarship from Roanoke College and a $1,500 per year scholarship from Elon College. Colleen Puceta received at $6,500 per year scholarship to Greensboro College and a $500 scholarship from

High Point University. Danielle Puceta was a recipient of the Dean's Scholars Program at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. The award includes a scholarship of $7,000 per year for four years. Puceta also received a

choice and a $500 scholarship to the college of his choice.

Carolyn Zawadski was chosen for a $500 scholarship to the college of her choice.

In addition to scholarships, three

CCHS

seniors have been chosen for

special honors:

an received Bosse Shane appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He will report to the academy in July. Molly Putman and Melissa Putman were invited to participate in the Honors Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

$13,000 per year scholarship from

1


May

The Catholic News

31, 1996

What Your Textbook Didn't

How A Bill

Really

MARK PATTISON

By

Catholic Class,

News

Service

time to review

it's

becomes law. ut away your because

P,you

it's

how

a

bill

civics textbook

not going to help

much. And the

that

squeamish can close

Tell

because

their eyes

You

Diocese And Forum

Becomes A Law

Sponsor

year's proposed welfare reform

with teen-age mothers, saw

an old saw applies: the two things you made are sausage

meaning

immigration to the United States would

and law.

stop.

a certain time,

that, after

all

on the Catechumenate sponsor an Aug.

when

at

pro-lifers

saw a provision

that cut

off benefits for teen-age mothers, they

predicted abortion rates

"Groups

would

like Birthright,

rise.

who

are

continually working with this every day, this,

but not

provision. after the

in its final written form.

different" with welfare.

was like a time bomb," Hill "Once it was written, we leaked it to the media. We let the media do the dirty work for us," Hill said. The media

"Sometimes," Hill noted, "gridlock can be a good thing."

to the telecommunications

that prohibited speech over the

bill

on how

Internet

to procure

and provide

abortions?

No

cried those opposed to the

fair,

They were unaware of it until bill had become law. Nobody

ever voted on

it,

they contended, so

how

did the amendment' s sponsor, Rep. Henry

Hyde,

manage

R-Ill.,

to tack

it

on

to the

bill?

happens

The amendment was caught by

the time, says Micheal

"reading the

by

line," Hill said.

"It

recalled.

Supporters of legal abortion, Hill

bill "extremist," he added, and the amendment went down to defeat. said interest groups draft most of the legislation debated on Capitol Hill. Special-interest groups are "far more expert than Congress can be," he said. A member of Congress might consult with up to five interest groups before sponsoring a bill. It can be a two-way

wouldn' t ordinarily think of looking telecommunications bill for an

idea and asks the interest group to write

It

all

a lobbyist on the staff of the U.S.

Hill,

Conference's Office of Government Liaison. "When you have a bill that's thick, Catholic

and lots of pages, it's easy to put something in a bill that escapes notice," he said, "especially when you're not lots

looking for said,

in a

it."

amendment. "We've done it ourselves," Hill said. He was reluctant to state on the record just when because one bill where the USCC snuck in some favorable abortion- related

Congress and the amendment hasn't been found out yet. Has the USCC ever gotten caught napping on some arcane amendment? "We in the Office of Government Liai son never fall asleep," Hill chuckled. But "there are provisions in legislation you miss the importance of," he noted. example was the recent immigration reform bill. An legislation is

still

in

One

amendment

in

the

House

version would have permitted states to

undocumented from attending public schools. But

prohibit the children of aliens

the Senate version of the

amendment

labeled the

Hill

outright, not

keep

even giving

states

A lawmaker has

street, Hill advises:

Resource Center

Nine Choirs Asheville,

NC

740 Haywood Rd.

(704) 254-5905

cathoUc Books

&

(jijts

Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:30 a.m.-5 30p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m :

To register, contact Sheri Wilson, 1084 WhitakerRd., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106, (910) 765-3499.

rate.

John Honored As NC Nurse Of The Year

Sister

But Hill cautioned against the bill by neither interest groups nor Congress, but by congressional staff. On the immigration bill, a senatorial staffer added the word "a" to one amendment. Adding that one-letter word, Hill said, would have stripped judges from having any discretion when dealing with immigrants convicted of crimes, thus forcing their deportation.

"You go through

_

a bill this thick,"

holding his thumb and forefinger generously wide apart, "word by word, punctuation mark by Hill

said,

punctuation mark....

them?

I

Who's going to find

guess that's what

Nurse of the Year. in

Sharon

USA's

chief lobbyist, said the

— most on — an "informal" way

block legislation

recently

a

for a senator to address concerns

on a

health care bill

pending

bill

is

without having to resort to a

"sabotage" to block

existing conditions to get insurance,

eventually passed the Senate 100-0. But didn't happen until the bill's backers exposed that a rotating hold was being used by several senators to block it

consideration of the bill. Public pressure,

Daly said, forced those senators up their holds.

to give

Daly said citizen action is still important. As an example she cited last

Sister Loretta

John Meehan has been recognized as Nurse of the Year by the North Carolina Association for Home Care (NCAHC). Nominated by Good Shepherd Home Health and Hospice Agency where Sister John has worked the past 25 years, she accepted the award at the NCAHC Conference in Charlotte on

May

The health care bill, which would make it easier for Americans with pre-

John Meehan was honored

Tom Taaffe; Judy Wilson;

at

a

L

NCAHC

Sister John

Conference Meehan; Father

Mauricio West; Sister Mary Martin Meehan; and Sister Terry Martin.

HAYESVILLE Daly, Catholic Charities

Sister

Charlotte. Pictured are:

we get paid to

do."

filibuster or other

Catholic

and Easter seasons. Participation by parish teams is encouraged through a special team tuition

written

the legislation.

4^

how

an

"hold" used by senators to

Mountain

and have they have approached various issues that arise during the Lenten for implementing the vision

discuss

it.

it.

Your

The institute focus is on the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, the Easter Triduum and the Period of Mystagogy in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Participants will explore the vision of these steps in the initiation journey, develop practical skills

up in the form of a bill, or the interest group detects a problem, writes up a bill, and asks someone in Congress to sponsor

an option

"It slipped through the process in the subcommittee and in the full committee," Hill said. "We looked at it again and again and again" until yet another read-

the

16-18 mini-institute, The Ninety Days, The Catholic Conference Center.

it

would have forbidden the schooling to

bill line

The Diocese of

"It looked like welfare reform was going to be a done deal," Daly said. But

Rather than stir up an outcry right away, groups opposed to the amendment let it pass without comment through the subcommittee and committee process and "markup," the process of putting the bill

amendment

Charlotte and The North American Forum

bill.

Washington think tanks like the Heritage Foundation and the Family Research Council," Daly said. "People who've never before gotten involved on this issue got involved because it touched on the pro-life issue," she said. As a result, state legislators and governors are going to think a lot more carefully before they do something

the controversy over an

13

Institute

HICKORY

through of the bill unveiled the impact of the Senate version. "We got it changed," Hill said, but "only because the sponsor agreed to" make the change. Another amendment in the Senate version called for an eventual moratorium on immigration, a "sunset" provision

don't want to see being

Remember

& Herald

workers, "for all that they do for patients

and

2.

Nancy Temple, executive of the

backs ... Her efforts magnify the quality of care our patients receive each and every day. The agency receives many calls, donations and letters in her honor from patients and their families." "I am proud to accept this award on behalf of all nurses," said Sister John to an audience of about 500 health care

NCAHC,

read excerpts of the

their families."

Special guests for the awards

director

ceremony were her

sister, Sister

Mary

Ambassador of Good Will for the agency," wrote Mary Carol Campbell,

Martin Meehan of New York; Father Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte; Sister Terry Martin of Hayesville and

Good

Good Shepherd

nomination during the awards banquet. "Sister John is often called the

Shepherd's director of communications. "In our modern day of high-tech advances, she personifies the high-touch nursing skills that her patients so eagerly respond to

known

for holding

...

she

is

hands and rubbing

staff

members

Tom

Taaffe, Judy Wilson, Mary Carol Campbell and Sister Joanne Kuhlmann. Good Shepherd hosted a community celebration in honor of Sister John May 18.


& Herald

The Catholic News

14

May

31, 1996

Diocesan News Briefs Hopes Group Meets

BMHS

Soccer Coach Voted Coach Of The Year

WINSTON-SALEM

Bishop

McGuinness High School Soccer Coach Ben Korb was voted Coach of the Year by the Piedmont Athletic Conference for Independent Schools. Korb was selected by the other coaches of the conference for his

CHARLOTTE — "Hopes," a support group for friends and loved ones of people who have experienced a suicidal death, meets the second Tuesday each month at 7 p.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church. For information, call (704) 523-7724 or (704) 362-2604.

work as BMHS girls soccer coach.

Support For Families Of Aging

Korb is also Athletic Director and teaches history at Bishop McGuinness.

CHARLOTTE

— A support group

Margaret Church sponsors a Fun night the first Friday each month at 7:30 p.m. in Murphy Garland Hall. Bring a game and your own of

St.

and

Game

Be

in your

new home before school starts!

John Wagner Realtor

or Alzheimers meets the second

Vacation Bible School

ARDEN — Vacation

CCD HIGH POINT

Rally

at St.

Christ the King

Let the "Family Man" produce rewarding results for you!

Parishioner of St.

Luke Church

Payne, (704) 891-2920.

ASHEVILLE Vacation Bible School at St. Eugene Church is June 1721. Cost is $15 per child. Contact the church, (704) 254-5 193, for information. CHARLOTTE. Vacation Bible School at St. Vincent de Paul Church is June 24-28 from 9 a.m.- noon for children in grades K-5. Cost is $5 per child. Call Peggy Pohlheber, (704) 588-731 1. Vacation Bible School at St. Gabriel Church is June 17-21 from 9 a.m.-noon. For information, contact Mary Ellen Paine, (704) 366-2738. GREENSBORO Vacation Bible School at Our Lady of Grace Church is July 15-19 from 9 a.m. - 12 noon. Vacation Bible School at St. Paul the Apostle Church is June 17-21 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Call (910) 294-4696 for

(704) (p) 515-8717 (o) 334-6677 (h)

847-7673

f Lft

professional dancer will entertain. For

Carolina

mind, body and

Coolie

first

spirit is

Mclntyre, (704)

Single Catholics Meet

GREENSBORO — The Greensboro Single Catholics Group meets Monday, June 10 at 6:45 p.m at the Greensboro Bats ticket office to watch a baseball game. For information, call Jim Keaney, (910)454-4624.

June 5 and the

Wednesday each month at 7 :30 p.m.

at St.

Ann

Student Applications Accepted WINSTON-SALEM St. Leo

Mass

CHARLOTTE— AMassfor healing !

50+ Club of John Neumann Church meets Wednesday, June 12 at 11 a.m. A St.

is

Healing 1

50+ Club Meets

CHARLOTTE — The

545-5046.

Nocturnal Adoration DENVER June 7 and the first Friday each month at Holy Spirit Church. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament starts at 7 p.m. Friday evening and concludes Saturday morning at 8 a.m. with Benediction, followed by first Saturday rosary and Mass. For information, call Jack Sweeney, (704) 896-7757.

Peter Church.

information orto volunteer, contactLeslie

grounds after 10 a.m. Mass on Sundays for refreshments and a CCD rally.

information, call

Nocturnal Adoration

School is accepting applications for rising seventh graders for the 1996-97 school year. Call the school office, (910) 7488252, for information.

information.

Echoing God's Word

HICKORY

4410-F Monroe Rd. Charlotte, NC 28205 (704) 342-2878 Celebrating 15 years of serving the Carolinas

celebrated June 9 and the Second Sunday each month at 4 p.m. at St. Patrick

is

Cathedral. Healing service at 3 p.m. Pot

luck supper follows Mass.

Christian Leadership Institute

Monday

Friday 9:30-5:00 Saturday 9:30-1:30

ARDEN

-

&

Books Gift Items Special orders/Mail orders

Welcome

—A

institute for high

29

at St.

Christian leadership is June 24-

symposium

Barnabas Church. Cost

is

Franciscan Center Workshop

GREENSBORO

PUT YOUR GIFTS at the

Service of Others

Consider

PRIESTHOOD in

The Diocese of Charlotte Contact Father Frank O'Rourke Vocation Director

Poor Servant

Susan McGrath, Director of Emmaus Retreat House in Perth Amboy, Sister

28203 (704) 334-2283

St.

Paul the Apostle Church.

Holy Spirit Seminar

one-day workshop, "The Enneagram," Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. -4 p.m. at the Franciscan Center. Cost is $20 and includes lunch. To register or for information, call (9 1 0) 272-2554 or write The Franciscan Center, 233 North Greene Street, Greensboro, N.C. 27401.

Deacons Keith Kolodziej and Jim Hamrlik will facilitate a seminar on living in the Holy Spirit Mondays from June 3- July 29 from 7:309 p.m. at St. Matthew Church. Cost is $5 for books and materials. Call (704) 5416765 for information.

Foster Caregivers Needed Couples and

BREVARD

individuals are needed to help children in the

community by giving them

care. Call

Trend Mental Health

884-2027

to help.

at

foster

(704)

barbecue SWANNANOA lunch served by members of the Holy Name Men's Club of St. Margaret Mary Church is Sunday, June 9 after 1 1 a.m. Mass at Grovement Park.

A

Ultreya Meets

THOMASVILLE — Ultreya for the Thomasville, Greensboro and High Point areas meets the first Friday each month at

Highways

7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Church. Leaders' School follows.

Fun And Game Night MAGGIE VALLEY — Family Life

— The

St.

Patrick

Cathedral Amazing Grays will meet for a

covered-dish picnic at Lake Norman Thursday, June 6 at 11 a.m. For information, call Virginia Williams at

(7040 334-2733.

Sports

at

life.

Contact Sheri for

765-3499

(910)

information.

Summer Bible Seminar CHARLOTTE — Chapters 40-55 of Book of Isaiah are the focus of "Comfort, Comfort My People," the July 15-19 seminar presented by Susan Brady at St. John Newmann Church. Catechist

the

is

available. Call

864-2556

for

Linda Gibbons, (704) information and

registration.

Living Waters Retreats

MAGGIE

VALLEY

"Contemplation and the Prayer of the Heart" is a June 17-23 contemplative retreat in the spirit of Thomas Merton directed by Rev. Sidney Griffith, S.T. Cost is $225. "Come to the Quiet" is a June 24-30 retreat of silent prayer to deepen the relationship with the Spirit directed

Amazing Grays Picnic

CHARLOTTE

Barbecue Lunch

Wilson

certification credit is given. Babysitting

CHARLOTTE

N.J., is spiritual director at a

1621 Dilworth Road East Charlotte, M.C.

And

Solutions Speakers from GREENSBORO the Piedmont Triad Area Agency on Aging and American Health and Services present a forum to discuss the needs of seniors, "Services and Solutions," Wednesday, June 12 from 7-8:30 p.m. at

Senior Services

$1 10.

information.

that addresses the

Scriptures and daily

school youth

Call the church, (704) 684-6098, for

"Echoing God's Word: Catechesis and Preaching Based on the Liturgy of the Word" is a July 12 14

Charismatic Mass

CHARLOTTE — Charismatic Mass

Bible School Barnabas Church is July 22-26. For

parish children are invited to the picnic

Monday

each month through August from 1 :30-3 p.m. at St. Gabriel Church in the family room. For information, call (704) 3776871, extension 314.

9229.

refreshments.

to assist families struggling with dementia

Buy & Sell Now!

8 a.m.- 12 p.m. at St. Ann School. Cost is $50. For information, call (704) 541-

Camps

CHARLOTTE —

Volleyball

camp

by

Father William Fickel. Cost is $225. "Let Go, Let God" is a July 5-7 workshop for anyone interested in spiritual growth through the "twelve steps" directed by Rev.

Edward Flanagan,

O.F.M., Rev. Emmett Murphy, O.F.M. and Ken and Jacke Brinker. Cost is $85. To register, contact Living Waters

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

for rising sixth-ninth grade girls is June

24-28 at Holy Trinity Middle School. For information, call Bettie Berry, Charlotte Catholic High School coach, at (704) 521-0721

The Cougar Girls' Basketball Camp for girls in grades 6- 1 2 is July 15-19 from

The Catholic News & Herald welcomes parish newsfor the diocesan news briefs.

Good photographs,

preferably

black and white, also are welcome. Please submit news releases and photos at least

10 days before the date of publication.


May

The Catholic News

31, 1996

& Herald

15

World And National News Briefs New York, California Attempt Own Partial-Birth Abortion Bans WASHINGTON (CNS) — In the wake of President

Clinton's veto of the

Ban

Partial-Birth Abortion

two of

Act,

America's most populous states are trying to enact their own bans on the procedure. In California, a vote was scheduled for May 28 or May 29 in the state assembly on a measure that would make it a misdemeanor for a physician to perform that kind of late-term abortion. In New York, a partial-birth abortion ban was approved by the state Senate but a vote on the bill in the state Assembly has been blocked by Speaker Sheldon Silver, a longtime supporter of legal abortion.

Legislators Ask Administration To Fight Assisted Suicide

WASHINGTON

(CNS)

members of Congress have asked

the

cian-assisted suicide and to urge the U.S. to reverse

court decision that In a letter eral

May 23

Drew Days,

an appeals

would make

it

legal.

to U.S. Solicitor

Gen-

the legislators said the

Supreme Court should review and

FOUR GREAT NAMES to

KNOW MITSUBISHI

MITSUBISHI

6951

E.

April 2 that is

New

York's law against assisted suicide

unconstitutional.

New York petitioned the Supreme

Court May 16 to review and reverse that ruling. Briefs supporting or opposing such a petition to review a case are due within 30 days of the filing of the petition.

Attorney Apologizes For Having Taped Confession

District

PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) attorney

— The Oregon

district

who authorized taping a sacramental confes-

sion said May 22 he had made a mistake in doing so. The apology was welcomed by the Archdiocese of Portland, where the taping occurred, but church officials indicated that the apology alone was not enough. The archdiocese "remains committed to the destruc-

and the guarantee that never again will such a violation occur in the state of Oregon," said Auxiliary Bishop Kenneth D. Steiner, archdiocesan

tion of the tape

administrator, in a statement

May

23.

Forty

Clinton administration to oppose physi-

Supreme Court

verse the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling

Independence

re-

U.S. Bishop Pilla Calls Reform Campaign Divisive WASHINGTON (CNS) The head of the U.S. bishops said May 22 that a national signature campaign to bring changes in the church may cause confusion and division. "I appeal to the leaders of this referendum not to create new divisions in our own ecclesial family by continued challenges to the teachings and the authority of the church that has nurtured the faith of us all," said Bishop Anthony M. Pilla of Cleveland, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. "For it to be successful, dialogue needs to be honest; ... I do not believe that this referendum announced today contributes toward creating a spirit of dialogue," he said. "I ask those approached to sign this petition to reflect prayerfully and seriously on the confusion that may be created by a technique so inadequate and inappropriate to deal with these matters," he added.

After

CNS

Monks Reported Dead, Pope Asks Muslims To Stop Extremists

VATICAN CITY (CNS)

photo by Michael Ziegler

Cathedral Arches. Marianne Keough paints one of the vaulting arches of St. Joseph's Old Cathedral in Oklahoma City, which is scheduled to reopen in September after being nearly destroyed in the Oklahoma City bombing.

Pope John Paul II appealed to the world's Muslims to unite in an effort to stop extremists who claim their faith justifies taking the lives of others. The papal appeal came a day after the French Foreign Ministry said a document, signed by the Algerian Armed Islamic Group, claimed that seven Trappist monks kidnapped almost two months earlier had been killed. "News of the barbaric assassination of the seven monks of the Trappist monastery at Medea if confirmed would constitute one of the saddest chapters in the history of Algeria," said Vatican

531-3131

Employment Opportunities

spokesman Joaquin Navarro- Vails. Neither the French nor the Algerian govern-

ment publicly confirmed the report

May

as of

24.

Cardinal Says Joining State System Helped Catholic Schools

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — When New Zealand Catholic

(CNS)

schools became integrated with public St. 7001 E.Endependence

5354444

HYURDRI 41 00 E.Independence

5354455

Principal Position Available: If you are an experienced administrator, enthusiastic about Catholic schools, and able to work well with a highly qualified and dedicated staff, we would like to hear from you. Serving grades pre-3 through 6, St. Anne's is seeking a principal beginning with the 1996-97 school year. The candidate must be Catholic, have a master's degree and be certifiable in Virginia. Nestled in the mountains of southwest Virginia, St. Anne's is fully accredited and serves approximately 200 students. Salary negotiable according to experience and qualifications. Send resume and letter of introduction before June 30 to: Search Committee, St. Anne Catholic School, 300 Euclid Ave., Bristol, Virginia 24201.

THE

apoiNjE

Bookkeeper: work part-time in 500+ family size church with Rev. Carl DelGuidice, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4 Fortune Cove Rd., Brevard, NC 28712. Full charge

bookkeeper wanted

retirement benefits. Send resume

DEALERSHIPS SERVING CHARLOTTE WITH INTEGRITY FOR OVER 33 YEARS! Frank LaPointe, President

Member of

St. Gabriel

Church

deepened their Catholic charNew Zealand cardinal. Cardinal Thomas Williams of Wellington, schools,

Anne's School

to

to:

Youth Minister Director: Growing parish in western NC looking for staff member to oversee total youth program. Plan and coordinate catechetics, social programs and service programs for preparation. Prefer at least undergraduate training in youth ministry or experience.

Diocese offers generous benefits package. Send resume Parish, P.O. Box 8160, Asheville, NC 28814.

to:

YM Search, St. Eugene

it

acter, said a

New Zealand, told Catholic educators in Johannesburg

that education ministry

statistics "indicate that integrated lic

Catho-

schools are performing better in

areas.

The

all

ministry's measures are as

much for educational achievement as for the imparting of values." Cardinal Will-

iams is an executive member of the New Zealand Council of Proprietors of Integrated Schools and chairman of the New Zealand Board of Proprietors of the Catholic Education Fund. He was closely associated with the integration of Catholic schools into the state system in New Zealand about 20 years ago. He visited South Africa in May to advise Catholic educators, who face a proposed bill that

would make

come

all

state-aided schools be-

public schools.


16

The Catholic News

& Herald

May

31,

1996

Benedict Church

St.

GREENSBORO — St. Benedict Church is one of the oldest in the diocese. Established in

1 877 as St. Benedict parish was founded before there was a diocese in North Carolina. The cornerstone of the original church was laid by then-Bishop James Gibbons of Richmond who would go on to become Cardinal James Gibbons of Baltimore.

Agnes,

St.

As the years passed, the original church building oecame too small to accommodate the needs of the growing congregation. Therefore, the building was sold to the Greensboro Public School System and became the city's first high school. Today's church still stands where it did in 1899. At that time, the name of the parish was changed from St. Agnes to St. Benedict in honor of the father of

St.

Western Monasticism and the Benedictine Fathers of Belmont Abbey who staffed the parish. While the new church was being built, a wealthy

Benedict

109 West Smith Street Greensboro, N.C. 27455 (910) 272-0303

Philadelphia

woman, Katharine

Drexel, founder of

the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and

Colored People, was working to give away her fortune She heard about the building project and gave St. Benedict $1,500 for a new church with the condition that one of the four rows of pews be set aside for the use of African Americans. The church agreed. Drexel died March 3, 1955 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1988. Before World War II, several divisions of National Guardsmen came to Ft. Bragg for maneuvers. Many of the men would travel to Greensboro for the weekend and attend Mass at St. Benedict. Because of the large

to benefit African Americans.

Vicariate:

Greensboro

Pastor:

Monsignor Joseph S. Showfety

Mass schedule: Sat.: 5 p.m.; Sun.: 8 and 11 a.m.

Number

of parishioners:

number of participants, the -priest would celebrate Mass outdoors, leading from the parish hall porch, and the men would kneel in the grass and in the two-lane street, which was blocked off by the city.

263

Msgr. Joseph

S.

Showfety, former Chancellor of

became pastor of St. Benedict in 1993 and remains the parish pastor today. By 1994, the brickveneered church had weakened because of age and traffic. As a result, the church building got a facelift. The twin towers

the Diocese of Charlotte,

Number

of

is

were strengthened and parts were rebuilt. Msgr. Showfety said that, parishioners are involved in a large number of activities, including Vincent de Paul Society and SHARE, a food distribution program that benefits the needy.

Egan Recalls Years Of

Eileen religion

households: 150

above nationalism, above

becoming the

first

layperson and

first

woman on

she said.

In 1 945, she was at home recuperating from an operation when a plane crashed into CRS' s 79th floor office in the Empire State Building. Eleven people died. She likened it to a bombardment. "It was the same kind of thing, that one minute you're in full life and the next minute you're cremated," she said. "It was really strange and ironic ... that the one office in New York which was hit in that way was an office helping the war-

were a typical immigrant family," she said. "I became very aware of the needs of refugees and how you have to treat them," she added.

"When

CRS, I realized that

...

I

came with

refugees wanted to

be served by their own group or the group of their religion." After graduating from Cathedral

High School and Hunter College in New York, Egan assumed responsibility for her siblings

when both

parents died

suddenly a few years apart

She taught, then worked

in the '30s.

for a Catholic

organization providing social services for

war workers.

When

an uncle later took over

responsibility for the family, "I

down

went

Dorothy Day, Egan said. "I really wanted to do something that meant peace, peacemaking." "I was quite immature and I felt that Dorothy would say, 'Oh my, you're just the person we're waiting for,'" she recalled with a laugh. "But she didn't. She said, 'Why don't you come in every Wednesday and help with the mail.'" Egan did not do that, but instead joined the brand-new CRS in 1943, to see

the staff.

Over the next 35 years, Egan visited ongoing CRS aid projects and helped develop new ones throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America. She filled notebook after notebook, later using the details to flesh out the 12 books she has

Each described her work

Her worst memories

are tied to "the

hearts that

is

ministering to Jesus "in his distressing disguise," whatever

willing to

it

might be.

"We looked at people with the same Egan said. "And Dorothy Day, for me, brought in the most distressing disguise of all: Jesus in the enemy. If we see that ... then we'll have nothing to do with what the country tells us to do to the eyes,

Though she laments

the state of the

world today, in particular tribal and ethnic warfare in Africa and Bosnia, Egan said

some

things are better.

Catholic

Worker movement

— became

she said,

with 19 other women, Egan lobbied

prelates behind the scenes.

"Wasn't it wonderful that the one condemnation of the whole four years of Vatican II was the condemnation of

the chance to be the preserver of

all life:

Egan said her experience as a laywoman in the U.S. church has been "more than good, really. It's been

when

against

marvelous. Because

she said. "I feel that the church

it's

against abortion,

hope

I

now

it's

will

has

be against

war, and against a deterrent."

She called the

deterrent, stockpiles

deterrent, simply

such people Mother Teresa, founder of the Missionaries of Charity, and Dorothy Day, co-founder of the

stuff,"

it

indiscriminate warfare?" she remarked.

with not only great love, but great energy

Two

could feed in

had to be presented by a bishop." So while Dorothy Day went on a 10-day "but

some

think there has been

of bombs and weapons, "a great maw ... eating the resources of the country." An

works of love."

women

clarification of thought in the church,"

"I

condone the inflicting of suffering or killing on others." And her best memories are of the people who "have seen so much suffering, and yet they come out for the

St.

go to Rome for the final session of Vatican II in 1965. Taking herself off the CRS payroll for a month, she went to seek changes in the document that became "The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World." "In the council it was so obvious that

fast

enemy...."

euthanasia, and

written, co-written or edited.

human

great friends.

with the poor and outcast in terms of

afflicted."

evil in

work, the

Ministery, from page 12

everything, above patriotism and so on,"

The Egans emigrated to the United States in 1926, when Egan was 14. "We

pro-life

ongoing sadness for her "is that our bishops have not condemned the

condemned

it."

Other war and peace concerns, such as the indiscriminate bombing of civilians and citizens being asked to give

governments that have declared war an assumption of justice, prompted Egan to

I held to a view of Gospel nonviolence that is not the majority view in the church." "Wherever the church kind of closes you out, as it did at the council," she said, "there are always back doors. And I

entered the back door of lobbying."

The basis of her faith, she said, is that "we have to be transformed to be other Christs.

And that transformation can only

come by grace and

grace comes from

prayer and surrender to God."


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.