Sept 19, 2003

www.charlotfediocesc.ors

Roman

Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Sin of racism Indiana bishop calls Catholics to action .page

NEW^fERALD

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI

SEPTEMBER

SERVING CATHOLICS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA IN THE DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE

2003

19,

4

VOLUME

N? 44

12

Tacos, pizza

Diverse

and French fries:

cultures form one parish

Fast food and

immigration

-

patterns

New Holy Cross North Carolina is

Church dedicated

home to manycultures

forgrowing

community by

AGOSTINO BONO

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE by

KEVIN

E.

MURRAY

EDITOR

WASHINGTON

— With

—

KERNERSVILLE Hundreds of people gathered with Bishop William G. Curlin, bishop emeritus, in the vestibule of the new church.

After Oblate Father Joseph Tustin, pastor, and parishioner Virgil Parrett presented him with the blueprints, occupancy permits and keys to the church, Bishop Curlin knocked on the closed sanctuary doors with his crosier and then led the procession inside.

Bishop Curlin celebrated the dedication Mass of Holy Cross Church along with Father Tustin and other area priests Sept.

13.

The Mass was

as fast food,

it's

hard to forget

that the United States

and

still is

—

The

difference

now

that

changed direction. No longer is the primary flow from Europe.

Latin America, It's from mainly Mexico.

One

result

is

that people

across the country can

now

rush their lunch with a burrito

Photo by Kevin

cel-

Bishop William

G. Curlin, bishop emeritus; Oblate Father

E.

Murray

Joseph Tustin, pastor of Holy

Mr. Gene Gillif; and other area priests concelebrate the dedication new Holy Cross Church in Kernersville Sept. 13.

Cross Church; Rev.

Mass

of the

— not

just a

hamburger or a

hot dog. Another

is

that anti-

immigration groups have a large and easily identifiable target to aim at: Spanishspeaking immigrants,

whom may

A GROWING FAMILY

STEPHEN UZZELL

The church

bishop emeritus, concelebrated

CORRESPONDENT

the jubilee

CHARLOTTE — ParishChurch celebrated a 25-year milestone last weekend.

provincial of the Capuchin or-

Thomas Aquinas

Nearly 1,500 people gathered to proclaim their faith and Photo by Stephen Uzzell

games after the Mass celebrating the 25th Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte Sept. 14.

St.

1000-665^3 ON TIIH

13dW0

Mass with Capu-

Father Ignatius Zampino, pastor; Capuchin Father Vincent Fortunato,

ioners of St.

joy of community together in "25 Years of Giving Glory to

God"

chin

der;

of

attitude to-

ward immigrants is expressed by the title of a 2000 document by the U.S. bishops: 'Welcom-

celebrates silver anniversary by

many

be illegally in the

country.

St Thomas Aquinas Church

play

is

the immigration flows have

See HOLY CROSS, page 9

anniversary of

—

was

a nation of immi-

grants.

ebrated in English and Spanish, with

Children

(CNS)

empanadas joining pizza and French fries tacos and

Capuchin Father Stanley

Kobel, parochial vicar; Capu-

chin Father Martin Schratz,

ing the Stranger

Among

Us:

Unity in Diversity."

"For the church the only passport you need is your baptism," said Ronaldo Cruz, executive director of the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for His-

panic Affairs.

The

infusion of mostly

parochial vicar; Msgr. John

Catholic Latin Americans has

See ANNIVERSARY, page 7

See IMMIGRATION, page 6

Sept. 14.

Bishop William G. Curlin,

Foundation grants

Strength

Money helpsparishes, schools

Colombian bishop celebrates

Parishioners called to

cultures in Gastonia

form links in Life Chain

Fighting for

in faith

life

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...PAGE

5

...PAGE

6

...page

8

2

The Catholic News & Herald

September

Current and upcoming

Brief

topics from around the

world to your

own backyard

WOMEN CALL ATTENTION TO EFFECTS OF ABORTION AT

WASHINGTON months

SUPREME COURT

U.S.

after the

tial-Birth

(CNS)

—

Six

Senate approved the Par-

Abortion Ban Act by a 64-33 Committee on Pro-

vote, the U.S. bishops'

chairman urged senators to

Life Activities

move

the legislation on to President Bush

by eliminating what he

called

an "extrane-

ous" provision in support of Roe vs.

Cardinal

Anthony

J.

Wade.

Bevilacqua said

the "sense of die Senate" provision added as

2003

move

Cardinal urges Senate to

ban

partial-birth abortion

19,

to president wrote

dinal Bevilacqua

in a Sept. 12 letter

to the senators.

The Harkin amendment

the only

is

between the Senate version of the legislation and the version passed by the House June 4 by a 282-139 margin.

Usually differences are resolved in difference

conference committee, but

some

senators

have demanded further debate and a separate vote on sending the bill to conference

an amendment to the bill was "the one remaining obstacle to enactment of this

committee.

much-needed

cans and 30 state legislatures support end-

legislation."

Tom Harltin, D-Iowa,

Proposed by Sen.

amendment states the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision "was appropri-

the

and secures an important constitutional right" and "should not be overturned."

Cardinal Bevilacqua said most Ameri-

ing the partial-birth abortion procedure,

but they have been thwarted by court

As

ate

baby

the president, and has already delayed

killed.

fi-

lation, is

reason enough to remove

it,"

Car-

defined in the legislation, a partial-

birth abortion

'The fact that this provision is opposed by many members of Congress and nal passage of this widely supported legis-

•

decisions permitting such abortions.

the

is

any abortion

which the

in

delivered "past the navel

is

...

outside

body of the mother" before being

tions

The

bill

allows partial-birth abor-

when necessary

mother's

to

save the

life.

Diocesa n, CNS

—planner

photo by Paul Haring

CHARLOTTE —

Our Babies Remembered memorial prayer service for babies lost through

Actress Jennifer O'Neill, spokeswoman for the "Silent No More" campaign, speaks out against abortion

in

front of the U.S.

Supreme Court

and other women who have had abortions gathered

in

ASHEVILLE

Washington Sept. 10. She

The campaign and Priests

families.

Episcopalians for

Life

is

a joint effort by the National Organization of

for Life.

ASHEVILLE

Catholic-Episcopal campaign asks

women to by

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON women, including

(CNS)

—

Ten

actresses Jennifer

Melba Moore, stood in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Sept. 10 to urge women who are thinking about having an abortion to reconsider.

All 10 women had undergone an abortion some of them multiple abortions and testified to their post-abor-

—

she suffered nine miscarriages after the

asks pastors to conduct services in their

O'Neill said, "talk to

churches to promote healing for who have had abortions.

The campaign

is

women

jointly sponsored

by the Catholic organization Priests for Life and the National Organization of Episcopalians for Life,

known

as

NOEL.

Priests for Life associate director

Janet

Morana and

NOEL national

direc-

tor Georgette Forney, co-founders of the

campaign, called for the development of a wide-ranging study to measure the aftereffects of abortion on women.

Moore

told Catholic

News

Service

she joined the Catholic Church last year,

member of Holy Cross Parish in New York City. She was introduced and

is

a

during the program as having had "several" abortions. "I've been healed," she told

CNS.

abortion.

"If you're considering

an abortion,"

someone who's had

one."

said

Missy Smith of Washington, who she had two abortions and six chil-

dren, said she "just crumbled"

VICARIATE

this planet for

made by God and placed

an eternal purpose?

when she

A dis-

Mondays 10 a.m.-noon

through Oct. 27 at St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Rd. to discuss "The Purpose-Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Call Sandra at (704) 841-7562 or e-mail

at the time, but said

"With every miscarriage I had, was being punished," she added.

Eugene

Sept. 28 12:30-3:30 p.m.

scious that you were

said

The women's appearance was part of a new campaign, Silent No More Awareness, to help women with postabortion healjng. The campaign also

felt I

Catholic Social Services will

BBQ Dinner and Raffle at St.

CHARLOTTE — Do you lead your life con-

she had her abortion in her early 20s.

I

—

well.

cussion group meets

She had one child

a national certified

Ballantyne

Commons Pkwy.

experienced such a loss are invited to attend as we remember the brief though precious lives of

For information, please call 543-4780. Sponsored by the Elizabeth Ministry and the Bereavement

their children.

Tracy

Webb at (704)

Ministry of Compassion.

5 at 3 p.m. at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621

Dilworth Rd., followed by a potluck dinner in the cafeteria of St. Patrick School. The Red Mass is an annual event celebrated to coincide with the opening of the Supreme Court's judicial calendar. The Masses designed to provide all members of the legal community the opportunity to reflect on the God-given power and responsibility that are a part of their offices.

CHARLOTTE

— The

Theology on Tap

fall

on Monday evenings in Fuel Pizza on the Green 6:30-8:30

series will take place

October

at

p.m. Fuel Pizza is located St.

Peter Church, 507

available in

is

S.

in

the building behind

Tryon St. Free parking

The Green, the underground lot The themefor the fall series

next to the church.

sstclair@carolina.rr.ocm for details. '

Matthew Church, 8015 Families who have

at 7:30 p.m. at St.

2,

the Diocese of Charlotte will be celebrated Oct.

on

tion regrets.

a.m. Presenter Rich-

be

CHARLOTTE — The inaugural Red Mass for

CHARLOTTE

with Jesus Christ."

During the program, O'Neill

host a

Eugene Church, 72 workshop on Creative

will

grams on aging

Church

Right to Life Committee, said acting roles for her have been more sparse in love

St.

newborn death

held on the Feast of the Guardian Angels, Oct.

gerontological counselor and offers pro-

host a

tional

I fell

St., will

ASHEVILLE

your children. But nobody talks about it" now.

O'Neill, the 2003 recipient of the Proudly Pro-Life Award from the Nakill

"since

confidential,

For registration and information, call Sandra Breakfield at (704) 370-3220 or Gerry Carter at (828) 254-5 193.

Moore added, "African-Americans used to know it was a terrible thing to

O'Neill and

—

Culvern

—

Agingon Sept. 25 at 10 ard von Stamwitz is

reconsider having abortions

MARK PATTISON

—A

Bible-based Women's Recovery Group meets Tuesdays 10 a.m.-noon at Immaculate Conception Church, 208 7* Ave. West For more information, call Debra at (828) 89 1-3774.

an ongoing project to raise the awareness of the harmful effects of abortion on

women and

miscarriage, stillbirth or

VICARIATE

HENDERSONVILLE

at the court building as part of

...

CHARLOTTE — Pathfinders, an interfaith

is "Healing the Culture in the Third Millennium." For more information, please e-mail

peer support group for separated or divorced

aschmidt@charlottediocese.org.

Tuesday evenings 7:30-9 p.m. at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. The first session runs through Dec. 6. For more information, please call Wayne at (704)

GASTONIA

people, meets

VICARIATE

GASTONIA

— An

Interfaith

Prayer Vigil for

Peace will take place 7-8 p.m. Sept. 29 at Taber-

896-0900.

learned in the late 1990s of what she called "trafficking in

baby parts"

—

abortionists selling organs and other

SEPTEMBER

THE-

VOLUME

parts of aborted fetuses to hospitals and

research

facilities.

ing and Exploitation of

—

"All

Unwanted Per-

combat this. of us (who have had abortions)

to

the sex of our child. Many of us have even named them," Smith said. Until mothers who have undergone abor-

know

meet

unborn children heaven, she added, "we shall always feel tions

unrequited."

their

•

19,

2003

NUMBER

44

Smith founded

WAKEUP — Women Against the Killsons

12

in

NEW^HERALD

The Catholic News & Herald, USPC 007-393, is published by Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church Charlotte, NC 28203, 44 times a year, weekly except for Christmas week and Easter week and every two weeks during June, July and August for $1 5 per year for enrollees in parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte and $23 per year the

PUBLISHER: Msgr. Mauricio W. West EDITOR: Kevin E. Murray STAFF WRITER: Karen A. Evans GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Cindi

SECRETARY:

Sherill

St.,

for

Feerick

Season

1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203 MAIL: P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237 PHONE: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382 E-mail catholicnews@charlottediocese.org :

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other subscribers. The Catholic

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appropriate.

We

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guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers. Second-class postage paid at Charlotte NC and other cities.

POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to The Catholic News & Herald, P.O. Box 37267.

Charlotte,

NC

28237.

September

The Catholic News & Herald 3

2003

19,

FROM THE VATICAN

Vatican newspaper pays tribute to victims of Sept- 1 spread VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The

WASHINGTON

attacks

1

Paul

American suffering

global terrorism. But

in

the Sept.

1

1

ter-

campaign against international terrorism would not succeed in the face of continuing global economic injustice.

In a commentary on the second ansaid the "crime of horrible grav-

ity" had changed the history of the world and left people everywhere with an enduring sense of anxiety.

The at U.S.

terrorist attacks struck not only

symbols of economic and military

might but also represented "an aggression against the value of peace founded

on justice and forgiveness," said the commentary, signed by the paper's chief foreign editor, Giuseppe M. Petrone.

It noted there was immediate wide-

nacle Baptist Church, 519 19th St. Come pray with people of all faiths as they gather together to ask the Lord for peace in our time. For more information, please contact Tabernacle Baptist Church, (704) 864-4051, or Dennis TeallFlemirig at (704) 825-9600, ext. 26, or

—

The

The

She

Paul

The

will

moment.

II

Cultural Center archive," said

Father Bugarin. exhibitions celebrate the silver

Pope John Paul II; the scheduled to be up through

jubilee year of

pontiff enters a stadium

full

of

first

show

is

said military

tens of thousands of cheering people;

Jan. 25, 2004, with the fourth exhibition

Afghanistan and in Iraq "have not subdued international terrorism, which continues to strike and to hold millions of people in the world in

they will never forget his charisma as

running through Nov.

campaigns

it

in

anxiety."

realization that

1 1

there has been the

,

necessary to react to

it is

the barbarous logic of destruction by

commitment

intensifying

the fight

in

ground

in

which the

takes root and thrives,"

evil plant it

These are the kinds of experiences shows of photographs taken from the archives of L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican daily newspaper, and focusing on Pope John Paul II.

the recent encyclical, "Ecclesia de Eucharistia," and the church's teaching about the Eucharist. Each image in the exhibit relates to a particular section of

them.

of hate

hours, consisting of small group discussion

and lecture. Starting on September 24th, meetings will be on Wednesday evenings or

mornings.

stalscss@eharter.net, or call (828) 441-2205 for

.

Ann

at in

The paper said it was imperative not only to keep the memory of the attacks alive but also to overcome the fear they caused.

"It is necessary not to lose hope. Evil and death don't have the last word," it said.

Thursday

The

1

said.

E-mail Miller at

2004.

"At the Altar of the World: Faith's Great Mystery," looks at

against injustice and oppression, the fertile

7,

The first exhibit,

moves among

the white-clothed figure

offered in the first of four

"After Sept.

niversary of the tragedy, L'Osservatore

Romano

in

as he baptizes her child.

II

never, ever forget that

the battle declared on

United States

(CNS)

eyes of a mother meet those of Pope John

international support for the

Vatican's newspaper paid tribute to rorist attacks but said the U.S. military

Photo exhibit of pope to open yearlong series at cultural center

which opened Sept. 10 the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center Washington, offers an opportunity for

many

exhibit,

work of the

to see the

talented photographers,

who

Vatican's

constantly

photograph the pope and the people around him.

Father G. Michael Bugarin, execuof the center, spent three weeks at the Vatican earlier this year looking through thousands of photos for this series of exhibitions. In all he said he chose about 1,600 of 3 million; about 450 will be shown at the center.

Many have never been seen before.

"These were all printed in the Vatican and will become part of the Pope John tive director

the encyclical.

There are photos of the

May

18,

1981, assassination attempt on the pope;

him mounting the steps to Mass at St. Peter's Basilica; with then-Archbishop Theodore E.

a view of

begin

McCarrick in Newark, N.J., in 1987; at the 1986 world prayer meeting with religious leaders in Assisi, Italy; and of-

Mass in the Sistine Chapel under Michelangelo's painting of the Last Judgment. fering

The most traveled pontiff ever, Pope John Paul II is shown in various situations during his trips around the world.

We see him in Africa, the Middle East, as well as in South America, Cuba, the South Pacific, the United States, England and Europe.

more information.

teallfleming@yahoo.com

SALISBURY

GREENSBORO

VICARIATE

HIGH POINT — Immaculate Heart of Mary and Skeet Club Rd., will weeks beginning Oct. 2. Classes will meet in Room 3 at IHM church Thursdays 7-8:30 p.m. Classes are open to all ages and all faiths. To register, call Larry Kwan at (336) 882-7204 or Nancy Skee at (336) Church, Johnston

St..

offer Basic Spanish Classes for six

VICARIATE

SALISBURY

—

School ofLeadersviWl meet at

Sacred Heart Church, Sept. 27 9-1 1:30 a.m.

There

will

Peacemaker

at prayer

be a secretariat meeting 1-2:30

more information, call Dan at (704) 544-6665 or visit

p.m. For

Hines

www.charlottecursillo.org. To receive Cursillo information via e-mail contact bmayer@alltell.net.

884-0522.

GREENSBORO —

The Greensboro Council of

Catholic Womenvfill have

on

Sept. 24.

its

annual

fall

For more information

luncheon

call (336)

HIGH POINT — Michael Murray, OSFS, Executive Director of DeSales Spirituality, will fa-

two-in-one program seminar Oct. 3-4

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. The seminar will familiarize participants with two programs: "Supreme Blessedness" which focuses on the beatitudes; and "Gifts That Matter," which focuses on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The at

presentation begins with 6 p.m.

Mass

Friday.

Saturday's seminar takes place 9 a.m.-3:30

Brenda Agnew at BbrendaMae@aol.com or call (336) 869-8075

p.m. Contact

for reservations

—

VICARIATE

Father

Mathew Kauth

teaches seminarian Justin Grosnick's class on

invites all pets

and

their

owners for a Pet Blessing

Oct. 4 in honor of the Feast of St. Francis.

The

blessing will take place at 8:45 a.m. at the

church, 2205

it

This method develCavins places the books of the

in a historical context.

oped by

Jeff

Bible in the greater perspective of salvation history. Classes are held

Thursday evenings

Church, 299 Maple St., at 6:30 p.m. For details, please call (828) 524at St Francis of Assisi

2289.

SYLVA

—A

Workers' Right Workshop will be

held Sept. 27 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at St.

Mary

Church, 22 Bartlett St. Register by Sept. 22 to Eduardo Bernal at (828) 497-0586 or Mary Herr at (828) 497-9498.

and more information.

GREENSBORO — Our Lady of Grace Church

WINSTON-SALEM

VICARIATE

CLEMMONS — Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon

Rd., will present the "Household of discussion series as part of it

Faith" video

&

adult education program.

West Market St.

GREENSBORO — Our Lady of Grace Church invites all

MOUNTAIN

FRANKLIN

How to Better Understand the Bible by reading

288-6022.

cilitate a

SMOKY

former parishioners and students to the

The reunion be Oct. 10-12. For information, please send names (including maiden names) addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses to 20 1 S. Chapman St., Greensboro, N.C. 27406 or e-mail olgchurch@olgchurch.org.

Tuesdays

at 7 p.m. in

HICKORY

photo from Reuters

Jonathan Cintron, of the 401st Military Police Company of the U.S. Army, rests his head on a Bible during a Sunday service in Tikrit, Iraq, Sept. 7. Soldiers at the U.S. base in Tikrit, who have seen at least 67 of their number killed since President Bush declared major combat over May 1, hoped President Bush's new appeal for troops from other countries might be their ticket home.

Sgt.

The group meets

Room

3 of the

Center. Please call facilitators Jim and

Family Monica

Passero at (336) 998-7503 for details.

THIS MONTH IN -2000

New home

celebration of its 50th anniversary.

weekend

CNS

for Asheville

CSS

will

HICKORY — St. Aloysius Church will present Catholic Scripture Study (CSS), a series of 28 in-

depth, yet easy to understand, Bible studies of the Gospel of John.

Please submit notices of parish events for the diocesan planner at least

VICARIATE

Weekly meetings

are l-!4

Bishop William G. Curlin dedicated the new offices of Catholic Social Services in The Western Regional Office of CSS was a home once owned by Dr. Mary Frances Shuford, an early pioneer for human rights. Approximately 130 community supporters attended the dedication of the facility offering family coun-

Asheville Sept. 20, 2000.

in

1

5 days prior to the event date

writing to

Karen A. Evans

kaevans@charlottediocese.org or fax to (704) 370-3382.

seling,

pregnancy support, adoption and immigration services.

at

CORRECTION In

our

last issue,

Gabriel Church

Sunday, Oct.

5).

in

the location of the upcoming

a story. The correct location

Red Mass was is

at St. Patrick

incorrectly listed as St.

Cathedral

(at

3 p.m. on

4

The Catholic News & Herald

September

IN

19,

2003

THE NEWS

Indiana bishop asks Catholics to eradicate sin of racism Letter draws from Scripture, pope s writings, Vatican II by

T. OLSZEWSKI CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

BRIAN

GARY,

Ind.

(CNS)

—

"Whites should be sympathetic to-

ward new immigrants and under-

When

standing of their desire to continue to be nourished by their culture, as they gradually become incorporated into the society and the larger culture.

Whites should not allow their ignorance of other cultures and the lan-

Melczek wrote his first pastoral letter, "The Many Faces of Our Church," in June 2002, he assured Bishop Dale

J.

Catholics in the Diocese of

Gary

that

upon cultural diversity was only the first step, and that he would be following it up with a pastoral letter on racism.

Bishop Melczek presented that pastoral letter, "Created in God's Image: A Pastoral Letter on the Sin of Racism and a Call to Conversion," at a prayer service in Gary's Holy Angels Cathedral Sept. 7 to more than 700 reflecting

guages that are spoken by other ethnic groups in the U.S. to awaken the everpresent fear and insecurity within us that would lead to rejecting these groups," Bishop Melczek wrote.

He

how

people to forget the injustices they have suffered. Nor is it wise to try to

the diocese.

Saying he is "keenly aware of the deep-rooted sentiments that exist in

and through the instituI would like to explore how this happens and to conindividual,

tions in our society.

sider a possible

do so, lest we forget what caused them and allow them to be repeated," he wrote. "But it is possible with God's

Northwest Indi-

ana with regard to the issue of racism," Bishop Melczek wrote, "As one ordained to proclaim the good news of Jesus and to shepherd the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Gary to live as witnesses of the Gospel, I feel compelled to address this situation.

"Although I am aware of the great pain and hopelessness of some, as well as the daunting challenges that come with addressing the sin and sickness of racism, I am by no means pessimistic regarding the inroads we can make in this area," he said.

The first two of five parts of the 9,800-word letter examine racism as a sin by drawing upon Scripture, the writings of Pope John Paul II, the documents of the Second Vatican Council and the U.S. bishops' 1979 letter, "Brothers and Sisters to Us." "Racism expresses itself in three primary ways: through American culture, in the personal decisions of each ...

means of

liberation

from our cultural, personal and institutional bondage to the sin of racism,"

community to share racism has influenced their lives.

"I realize that it is impossible for

bers of the Catholic

people, representing the 78 parishes of

the hearts of people in

devoted the final two parts of the redemption, calling upon mem-

letter to

grace, albeit with great difficulty, to

move beyond

that realm wherein pain, and resentment dwell, and

bitterness CNS

Bishop Dale

J.

Melczek of Gary,

Ind.,

photo by Karen Callaway, Northwest Indiana Catholic

presents a copy of his pastoral on the "sin of

racism" to a lay person during a prayer service introducing the letter at Holy

Angels Cathedral

in

Gary Sept.

to climb to a higher spiritual level."

Bishop Melczek asked members of each parish to become part of a small, faith-sharing group and to discuss the

7.

points he raised over a period of four

he wrote.

The bishop illustrated the cultural aspect of racism with the U.S. observance of Columbus Day, noting that "ascribing the discovery (of America) to Europeans made it possible for them to justify the confiscation of land belonging to Native Americans."

He

continued, "The fact that

we

commemorate Columbus Day without an example of how our American culture has influenced the way we think and how we often can play a part in perpetuating racist thinking without knowing it."

The bishop cited cultural influences on individual decisions, such as the telling of demeaning jokes.

"Sometimes our blind adherence to cultural assumptions causes us to make decisions that actually perpetuquestion

is

knowing

ate racism without our

it.

At

other times, our willingness to abandon reason and submit to ignorance, insecurity or fear causes us to freely choose to act in a racist manner," Bishop Melczek wrote.

The bishop devotes the third part

sessions. He has developed a study guide that will assist participants in their discussion.

In his remarks at the prayer ser-

bishop called upon the faithful transform our own hearts, as well as our culture and the institutions of vice, the

"to

of the letter, which is being distributed via the parishes to every Catholic household in Northwest Indiana, to

Northwest Indiana."

"We do not have an easy task be-

"white privilege," admonishing the white community "to appreciate the importance that each immigrant ethnic group attaches to its own culture, as well as the richness which that culture brings to our experience of American culture as a whole."

ignorance will cause many to deny that there is any racism within themselves, within our culture or within our institutions.

We should have no fear of taking on this challenge. Jesus promised that he would remain with us through the power of his Spirit."

fore us," he said. "Insecurity, fear or

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The Catholic News & Herald 5

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Immaculate Heart of

Mary hosts

Foundation grants help many in

spiritual

enrichment seminar

—

HIGH POINT Oblate Father Michael Murray, executive director of De Sales Spirituality Center, will facilitate a

parishes, schools $60, 000 issued to diocesan entities this year

by KAREN A. EVANS STAFF WRITER

two-in-one program seminar, "Becoming

and Immaculate Heart of

Blessed Givers," on Friday, Oct. Saturday, Oct. 4 at

Mary Church.

The De Sales

Spirituality Center, a

ministry of the Wilmington-Philadelphia

Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales,

draws upon the

lives

and legacies of

Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal to provide programs and publiSt.

cations that assist people

who wish

to

pursue a practical path to holiness.

Father Murray, a graduate of Allen-

— The Foundation of

GASTONIA

3,

the

Roman

Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

has issued 29 grants totaling $60,000 to diocesan entities this year.

Jim Kelley, director of development and of the Foundation, presented two checks at St. Michael Church Sept. 7.

The first check of $4,500 was presented to Joe Puceta, St. Michael School's principal. The money will go toward school tuition assistance for minority students.

"We

appreciate the diocese's generPhoto by Kevin

osity in helping us to begin integrating

more of

a minority population

—

ticularly Hispanics

par-

into our school,"

"We hope

said Puceta.

more students with

—

to bring in 2-3

The second check

of $2,000 was

director for St. Michael Church, for

De

Sales School of Theology,

and the

Washington, D.C,

will familiarize

up," said Kelley.

churches can carry on ministries that would not happen otherwise," said Kelley.

The Foundation, founded in 1994, is

in

a non-profit organization established to

semi-

provide endowments for the Diocese of Charlotte and agencies.

other program

"Gifts

is

which focuses on the

Spirit,

gifts

mation catechists and candidates as well as a topical presentation for Advent.

The Friday program with a 6 p.m.

Mass

in the

new

sanctuary at the corner

of Johnson Street and Skeet Club Road, followed by light supper and the interactive presentation.

its

parishes, schools

By end of

the 2002

and

fiscal year,

the Foundation had over 100

endow-

ments, 20 of which were added during

The Saturday program

in

Bergman,

Gastonia Sept.

St.

checks Michael

7.

will

is

that over

and agency have an individual endowment set

Two

years ago, the Foundation

started a grant-making process all

open to

diocesan entities. Last year, 18 par-

ishes, schools and agencies were awarded grants up to $5,000 each. The Foundation will continue to focus on programs that effectively support those

who

are collaborative.

In addition to the parish, school and agency endowments, endowments have been established for Catholic schools, missions and African American and Native American ministries.

For more information about the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, please contact Jim Kelley, director of development, 370-3301 or e-mail at (704) jkkelley@charlottediocese.org.

Contact Staff Writer Karen A. Evans

are poor; multicultural ministries;

and evangelize ticular

individuals, with a par-

emphasis on those whose

efforts

by calling (704)

370-3354 or e-mail

kaevans@charlottediocese.org.

FOUNDATION GRANTS 2003

That Matof the Holy

an excellent presentation for confir-

Approximately $1

"The Foundation's goal

com-

try to provide funds so that

can take back to their parishes for catechetical and spiritual enrichment.

One program, "Supreme Blessedness," focuses on the Beatitudes and is recommended to share during Advent. ter,"

fiscal year.

million has been distributed in nine years.

funds will help hire a bilingual employee.

nar participants with two programs they

The

the past

time, every parish, school

"We

George Washington University

to Carolyn

munity outreach through a thrift shop servicing 1,500 people monthly. The Oblate Father Michael Murray

Sales, the

director, presents grant

to Joe Puceta, St. Michael School's principal,

Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury

Our Lady

of Consolation Church, Charlotte

La Casa Latinoamericana de las Carolinas, St.

Inc.,

Belmont

Michael Church, Gastonia

Rockingham Pregnancy Care Center, Eden Catholic

Campus

Ministry

Holy Cross Church, Kernersville

Acute-care medicines for the uninsured

$2,000

Hispanic Ministries

$2,000

Hispanic Ministries

$2,500

Establishing Hispanic Ministry programs

$2,000

Client Service Director position

$1,000

Catholic Leadership Development Programs

$2,000

Hispanic Ministries

$2,000

runs 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

St.

WANT TO GO? If

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attending the semi-

Brenda Agnew at (336) 869reservations and more informa-

nar, contact

8075 tion.

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Our Lady

of

will

offering

Mon

-

Fri

Sat.

Carolina Catholic

is

Ministry,

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Belmont

Mercy Church, Winston-Salem

Volunteers for Wilkes Literacy, N. Wilkesboro

Winston-Salem free

Mars

the Apostle Church,

Belmont Parish Nurse

Our Lady

Mercy Church and

Benedict the Moor Church

Part-time Hispanic Ministry position

$2,000

African-American/Hispanic Ministry

$2,000

Hispanic Radio Ministry

$2,000

Hispanic Ministry

$1,000

Hispanic resources materials

$1,500

Diocesan Offices of Youth, Campus, Young Adult and Hispanic Ministry

Hispanic Ministry training

$2,000

Smoky Mountain Vicariate

Hispanic Ministry

$3,500

$2,000

Vicariate,

of

St.

suggested.

9 3 0 am- 5 3 0 p :

:

St.

Joseph Vietnamese Church, Charlotte

Vietnamese

St.

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Special-Needs Student Training

$2,500

Hispanic Ministry

$3,500

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Vicariate Hispanic Ministry

Francis Church, Jefferson and St. Frances Church, Sparta

Bible

Camp for

Hispanic Youth

$1,500

Salisbury/Albemarle Vicariates Hispanic Ministry

Hispanic Ministry

$1,500

Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury

Hispanic Ministry

$3,500

$500

St.

Francis of Assisi Church, Mocksville

Hispanic Ministry

St.

Michael Catholic School, Gastonia

Hispanic Tuition Assistance

$4,500

St.

Ann Church,

Hispanic Ministries

$1,500

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Charlotte

Hispanic Radio Ministry

$2,000

Greensboro

Hispanic Ministry

$3,000

Equipment

$1,000

Hispanic Ministry

$5,000

Charlotte

Vicariate, St.

Murra*

the grant."

presented to Carolyn Bergman, outreach

town College of St. Francis de

development and Foundation and Church's outreach director, at St. Michael Church

Jim Kelley, diocesan

E.

Mary Church

Our Lady

of the

Rosary Church, Lexington

Our Lady

of the

Americas Church, Biscoe

Holy Angels Church, Mt. Airy

Communications System

$500

'

6

The Catholic News & Herald

September

19,

2003

AROUND THE DIOCESE MARCHING FOR FAITH

Immigrants bring new cultures

churches with slipping membership, but it means providing spiritual and social services in Spanish for new arrivals un-

immigrants may form a closed community hindering "assimilation and integration of immigrants by creating a critical mass necessary to foster linguistic and spatial isolation."

Cruz discounts such concerns.

Immigrants are highly motivated, coming to better their lives and know that they have to learn English to suc-

able to handle English.

ceed, he said.

IMMIGRATION, from page 1

presented the church with opportunities

and challenges.

The

pews

filling

It's

in

'They

U.S. Census Bureau estimates

that 52 percent of the nation's 32.5 mil-

population in 2002

lion foreign-born

become English-speak- j

will

generation doesn't, the next generation will speak English," he If the first

ing.

came from Latin America.

said.

number of Latin Americans has been dramatic. The Cen-

The same is true of adapting to U.S. ways of doing things and to incorporat-

sus Bureau reports that in 1960 only 9

ing U.S. values, said Cruz.

The

rise in the

"People are born in different coun-

percent of the foreign-born population

was from Latin America. This jumped to 44 percent in 1990 and to 50 percent in 2000.

Mexicans accounted for 25 percent of all foreign-born and 50 percent of those from Latin America.

While the entire foreign-born popuIn 2000,

lation comprises only

1 1

.5

percent of the

U.S. total, the massive flow from Latin

America is radically changing the demographics of the U.S. church. Latin Americans plus U.S.-born Latinos make Hispanics the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S. church. Hispanics are estimated to constitute about 40 percent of the current U.S. Catholic population

and

their

number

is

projected to con-

tinue growing.

Western North Carolina has a fastgrowing foreign-born population, with more than 10,000 new immigrants each year, according to Raleigh Bailey, direc-

tor of the

UNC-Greensboro Center

for

New

North Carolinians.

"Immigrants are a resource that make us a stronger community," said Bailey.

'We

are a better,

more enriched

but their kids are as American as

tries,

Bishop Misael Vacca Ramirez, bishop of Yopal

their children don't lose their cultural

the Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira outside the church Sept. 13.

which for Latinos are heavily tied to their language and religion.

'The Latino presence has revitalized many parishes that were losing members. It's been a needed shot in the arm," said Cruz.

needs of Latinos coming from different countries and having different traditions within their

common

heritage.

"A mariachi Mass is not for Salvadorans or Argentines or Chileans," said Cruz, referring to a popular Mexican music

style.

The

-acceleration of

immigrants

from south of the U.S. border also has spurred greater cooperation between the U.S. bishops and their Latin American counterparts.

In January, the U.S. and

bishops issued their

first

Mexican

joint pastoral

pledging cooperation on pastoral

care of migrants.

It

also asked their re-

governments to change border policies making it easier to legally immigrate to the United States and improv-

director of diocesan Hispanic ministry.

ing protection of civil rights of migrants

from

me

who

are different

as objects of fear or suspicion,

will

miss seeing the

and

I

will

gifts that

be the poorer for

spective

in

both countries.

"Catholic social teaching calls us in a

I

they offer

special

way

to

remember those who

are

poor and marginalized," said Joe Purello,

it."

However, the infusion of so many

director of the diocesan Office of Justice

Latinos, especially clandestine flows

and Peace. "Certainly refugees and immigrants, often lacking adequate civil protection, and often struggling to make ends meet in a strange land, are in need of our attention and support."

across the U.S.-Mexican border, has raised concerns

among some groups

—

accelerated since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11

—

for tighter border controls.

The Center

for Immigration,

an

in-

dependent think tank, also raises the issue that so many Spanish-speaking

Staff Writer Karen A. Evans contributed to this

story.

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EDITOR

GASTONIA

—

Bishop Misael Vacca Ramirez, bishop of Yopal in Colombia, visited St. Michael Church in Gastonia last week. He came to help promote unity among Colombian and other Hispanic parishioners and to en-

courage prayers for Colombia.

Bishop Ramirez and Father Jose Juya, Hispanic apostulate at St. Michael Church, led a procession to the church honoring the Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira Sept. 13. Chiquinquira is

60 miles north of the Colombian

capital

Inkrott, director of diocesan Hispanic

ministry. "Father Jose organized this to

gather the Colombians and bring them into community. It's a chance to 'draw strength from each other in their faith." for all people "This celebration is ...

to

meet and get

to

know

each other," said

Garcia.

During the Mass, Bishop Ramirez asked the different people of different Latin American countries to stand and be recognized. He remarked that he truly attended an international event.

of Bogota.

"Every Latin American country has a version of Mary," said Juan Garcia, a St.

Michael parishioner.

He

likened the

Lady of Chinquinquira, whose feast day is July 9, to the Lady of Guadalupe, who

MOVING?

helped convert millions of Mexicans to Catholicism.

"There are a lot of Colombians in the Gastonia community," said Garcia. "We need to reinforce our customs here in this

and society."

"The largest number of Colombi-

different culture

ans are

in this area,

but there

is

Take us with you!

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Colombian bishop celebrates Latin American culture in Gastonia

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Michael Church

St.

also challenges the church to de-

It

'The immigrants who are arriving in North Carolina are bearers of gifts," said Franciscan Sister Andrea- Inkrott, look at persons

Hispanic apostolate at

velop ministries that can respond to the

new

I

Murray

roots,

letter

"If

E.

be,"

society because of the constant flow of cultures."

Photo by Kevin

he said.

A major concern for the church is that while adapting immigrants and

can

Part of FunFair, | the annual day-long family carnival.

Old address

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Date of move/cancellation: Mail changes to: The Catholic News & Herald Address Changes 1123 S. Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203

Or e-mail

this info to:

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Thank you.

_J

September

19,

The Catholic News & Herald 7

2003

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Silver anniversary (Michael

J.) Begley applied a donation given to the parish to build the first building. But the university area blos-

ANNIVERSARY, from page 1

somed

McSweeney, former pastor; and Rev. Mssrs. Carl Macero and Mark Nash, permanent deacons.

The standing-room-only Mass the cry room and overflowed

filled

also

into

the outer entry space. Parishioners cheered

when Jim

Little

and Ron Goetle,

parish council president, burned the parish

debt note at the podium.

Little, the first parish council presi-

in 1978, read from a plaque from Pope John Paul II officially proclaiming Sunday as St. Thomas Aquinas Silver

dent

Jubilee Day.

"We're very proud of the people

worked so hard get our

first

who

to start this parish, to

building under construc-

St.

Thomas Aquinas Church

has more than 2,500 registered families.

"It's been interesting to watch the that have come into the church, and with that I think of the enthusiasm and growth that makes it vibrant. And that's God's way of continuing to bless the church," said Father Schratz, who coordinates the parish RCIA program.

The parish youth program is also flourishing under Father Kobel.

"You know kids most of them, when they get out of high school, forget about the church," he said. "But, 90something percent of the kids in our youth group have come back to Mass or

numbers

—

as eucharistic ministers.

After the Mass, parishioners and

tion," said Little.

"We

so quickly."

Today,

started out originally with 15

clergy celebrated with a picnic lunch

Green Acres Nursing Home, where Carolinas Medical Center-University is now. The way things have

beneath a canopy between the church

been going,

noon.

families at

young

it's

obvious

it is still

a very

So I'd see it doing nothing but growing, over the next 10 years.

We'll probably double our size," said parish.

and Aquinas Hall. Music and activities were provided throughout the after-

Young

Located a block from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the thriving parish had outgrown its second building, now a social center called Aquinas Hall, by the time Father

Zampino 'The .

arrived in 1995.

roots of the parish are in the

campus

ministry," said Father Zampino. "Campus ministry was the essence and the real foundation. Bishop

Bishop William G. Curlin, Capuchin Father Ignatius Zampino and other priests and deacons of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte celebrated a Mass with 1,500 people in honor of the church's 25th anniversary Sept. 14.

There were several posters with archive photos from the beginning years

of the parish.

Little.

people enjoyed a climbing

wall and other games.

Photo by Stephen Uzzell

One

wall contained a de-

tailed timeline chronicling events

of the

parish since 1978.

home to St. Thomas

"This has really been

Our

family has been at

us.

for

22 years," said parishioner Michael Weiner. "We've had our six children baptized here. All six have had first Communion here. And we've had three so far confirmed and another one being confirmed this year. We started here

after

our

like to

feel sort

for

of like a parent.

who watch the birth of have watched the birth of the parish," said Oblate Father Joseph Zuschmidt, pastor of Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont. He was pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas from 1979 to 1988.

"And now it's 25 years later, and

and

ness of this parish."

I

you've given the kids away

in

marriage.

"It's

Congratulations to Bishop Peter Jugis

is

testimony to the youthful-

'The people here have found a very strong sensitivity to the poor. And if we don't see that, then we're not doing our

I

job," said

it's

Father Fortunato, from Union Thomas, they

City, N.J. "But here at St.

community," said Dominican Sister Anastacia Pagulayan. "The people here are very faithful to their commitments the church

that's a

two

100 children,

funerals, according to the latest records.

proud of what has hapjust exciting," he said.

Thomas Aquinas is a caring and

here,

years. "In these

In 25. years at St. Thomas Aquinas Church there have been: 2,100 baptisms; 2,020 first Communions; 1,640 confirmations; 332 weddings; and 107

just feel so very

with the church. That's the reason

send

more than two

years, I've baptized over

their child,

"St.

FAMILY or YOUR BUSINESS

month of marriage."

I

Like parents

pened

Would YOU, YOUR

first

"Today

are really building their whole attentive-

The

ness to the poor.

people and the

priests are united as one, as

why

nity with a

common

one commu-

vision together."

flourishing."

a very young, vibrant

commu-

Editor's Note: For more on the history of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, please see the Parish Profile on page 16.

nity and also with tradition," said Rev.

Mr. Nash, who has been with the parish

on his installation as Bishop?

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-

8

The Catholic News & Herald

September

2003

19,

AROUND THE DIOCESE RGHTING FOR

LIFE

Tee time

Parishioners to form links of Life Chain on Respect Life

Sunday

KEVIN

by

E.

MURRAY

EDITOR

CHARLOTTE

— On

the 31st an-

among us: the unborn."

The U.S. Catholic Church observes October as Respect Life Month and the

niversary of Respect Life Sunday this

Life

year, Oct. 5, parishes throughout the

many

Diocese of Charlotte are being called to stand as prayerful witnesses for life by forming links in the Life Chain.

'The Life Chain is an opportunity for people of all ages to peacefully express their beliefs in the sanctity of life," said Maggi Nadol, diocesan Respect Life

"In most cities, this is accomplished by the 'single-grand chain method," said Prophit. "The Charlotte Life Chain has distinguished itself over the last few years by developing into a 'multiple-

Office coordinator.

'chain'

"The Life Chain is a visual statement made by those who believe in saving the unborn," said Donna Dyer, Respect Life coordinator for Holy Family Church in Clemmons. "It unites people

Charlotte together."

of different faiths and their pastors to

respective churches, on city sidewalks

inform the public of the present holocaust of abortion."

Founded in 1985 in Yuba City, Calif, the Life Chain crosses ecumenical

and with other church groups towns.

form one of the more

lines to

visible

Chain

is

a notable kickoff event for

parishes.

church-location chain.' area

The

Charlotte

relatively spread out, so our

is

helps to geographically link Courtesy Photo

This year, hundreds of Life Chains are expected to form cross the United

Parishioners from Holy Infant Church

tournament

golf

ticipating along property lines of their

went toward the parish building fund.

sanctity of

people

human

who

life

believe' in the

8451 Idlewild Road

are unable to par-

any other way, the Life Chain gives them a chance to spend an hour in prayer along the sidewalks of busy thor-

2-3 p.m. in Charlotte

ers of various Christian faiths line city

oughfares and, hopefully, to save the

— —

praying for life issues and holding placards such as "Abortion kills children" and "Abortion hurts women."

"Signs such as Abortion kills children' speak for themselves," said Dyer.

of an unborn child," said Dyer.

States and

Canada each

year.

Churchgo-

streets,

'The community

by the large wrong, that women are hurt, that adoption is an option and that Jesus loves them and is

notified

gathering that abortion

is

'The

Life Chain's purpose

is

so that

people don't forget the tragedy of Roe

v.

THEOMTORY

3635 Park Road

Gabriel Church, at 3016 Provi-

St.

St.

Matthew Church,

Ballantyne

—

—

1-2 p.m. in Charlotte

St.

at

434 Charlotte Avenue, R O. Box Rock Hill, SC 29731-1586 (803) 327-2097

8015

Commons Parkway

(St. Patrick

parishioners

pm Friday, October 31 pm Saturday, November

7:30

Vincent de Paul Church, at

4

-

1

6828 Old Reid Road

Our Lady

Church, at

Assumption 4207 Shamrock Drive

dinator of the Charlotte-area Life Chain.

parishioners

of the

Thomas Aquinas Church, on Highway 49 across from UNC-C main St.

(St.

Therese and will

St.

Mark

Sr.

and

2:30-3:30 p.m. in Greensboro

— 2811 Battleground Avenue of TJ

(in front

Barbara Hubbard, OP

retreat will be two parts - the first this weekend, and the second in the fall

the Church. This offered in

2:30-3:30 p.m. in Winston-Salem

St.

Betty Condon, OP

Sr.

Continuing a series on the mystics of

Maxx)

participate)

— Hanes Mall Boulevard (west end,

1:30-2:30 p.m. in Charlotte

—

586

MEISTER ECKHART: AN INTRODUCTORY RETREAT

participate) St.

1 1

(St.

participate)

will

Peter Church, at 507 South

Tryon Street will

entrance

gards the value of the most vulnerable

at

dence Road

Here is a list of Catholic churches and locations to participate in the Life Chain on Sunday, Oct. 5.

our society," said David Prophit, a St. Vincent de Paul parishioner and co-coor-

see the fallout in a society that disre-

Ann Church,

Luke parishioners

—

we

St.

—

Wade, and how abortion has permeated

"Many feel that abortion does not impact them directly," said Nadol. "But

life

WANT TO PARTICIPATE?

—

forgives them."

2nd annual

in their

ticipate in

stands against abortion in the United

Reidsville at the parish's

Monroeton Golf Course Aug. 22. After expenses, $3,541

at the

States." In this diocese, parishes are par-

"When

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The Catholic News & Herald 9

AROUND THE DIOCESE expanded church that seated 500

Dedicated to a growing community

church goers.

More than 1,300 people joined the church over the next decade, and the parish is actively involved in a number of ministries and programs, including faith formation, day care, consolation ministry, parish care, Knights of Columbus, Columbiettes and Cub Scouts.

Hispanic ministry was established in the early 1980s and is presently staffed by one pastoral care assistant and 35 volunteers. Several hundred Hispanic families attend the weekly Mass in Spanish.

"We're definitely growing. This area is one of the fastest growing areas," said Buchan.

Situated between Winston-Salem and Greensboro, the Kernersville area is home to about 20,000 people, said Buchan, but that number is expected to "explode" in the next few years. With that growth, an influx of

HOLY CROSS, from page 1

sign language for the hearing impaired.

"I thank Father Joseph for allowing me to come and celebrate this beautiful liturgy with you," said Bishop Curlin to the congregation.

"Although I've been here to celebrate confirmation, this is the first time we come together to officially consecrate and dedicate this beautiful church."

"After all the effort and hard work, this (event) makes it all worth

while," said Parrett, a local contractor

who oversaw

the 14-month construc-

tion process of the facility.

The new church is almost 14,000 square feet, and the diamond-shaped sanctuary seats approximately 800

Catholics

the biggest church

we

could build on this property," said Father Tustin.

"We needed this church desperately. were busting at the seams," said Les Buchan, parish finance council chairman.

Growth is an ongoing aspect of the Holy Cross parish, and this dedication was actually the third in the church's history that began in 1969.

"It's

The new Holy Cross Church seat approximately

Mass

Kernersville

in

800 people. Bishop

with Father Joseph Tustin

is

E.

Murray

almost 14,000 square feet and can

William G. Curlin celebrated the dedication

and other priests Sept. 13.

to

Room At The

Inn's

Ninth Annual Banquet

Founded

The Westin

Charlotte

Thursday, October 23, 2003

bringing parishioners

who

Catho-

their children to attend a

struments to enhance the liturgy at

Holy Cross.

The new church

a

is

symbolic of the

growing and diverse cultures of Holy Cross.

"It

symbolizes their unity,

faith,

hope and love," said Father Tustin.

"The aesthetics are a sign of the interior beauty that radiates from the grace of God and his people."

organ and other items collected from churches in the diocese.

Although elevated to parish status in 1973, groundbreaking for a

"This

new

is

a magnificent church, but

you are the stones

building did not take place until 1978. That multipurpose structure, with seats for 350 people, was dedi-

seats," said Bill Gerichten,

Kernersville) and

choir and Agape, a folk-style group that utilizes modern music and in-

mission of St. Benedict the Moor Church in Winston-Salem, the original Holy Cross Church building was formerly an anas

High

that's

(in

high school," he said.

Multicultural music for the Mass was provided by the Holy Cross choir, the Hispanic choir, the youth

...

you are the

building," said Bishop Curlin in his

homily. "This church encloses Christ in you. are like living altars, tab-

We

cated in October of that year.

"The old church had cold, metal

"S7n J/i's S7/naye"

McGuinness

nearby

is

lic

tique shop furnished with pews, and

You 're Invited!

anticipated.

School

want

We

Photo by Kevin

is

"Bishop

people.

ernacles.

church,

longtime

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

member and parish sacristan the person in charge of the parish's sacramental objects, lectors and 120 ushers. "We later got pews, which added to the acoustics and religious aspect

When we walk out God walks through

of this us and

into this world."

Editor's Note:

For more on

the his-

of Holy Cross Church, please Parish Profile in our next issue. tory

of the church."

By 1982, parish growth dictated more space was needed and thenBishop Michael J. Begley blessed the

Contact Editor Kevin E.

see the

Murray

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THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

10 The Catholic News & Herald

Culture Watch

of Scripture, readings, films and more

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE READINGS: Sept. 21, Twenty-fifth

MITCH FINLEY

Thomas Aquinas (1225-

1274) and St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) are the two most influential theologians in the history of Christianity.

Many would

give

tried to

make

Tho-

mas the edge, however, because

much wider

his

perspectives are so modern. "Discovering Aquinas: An Introduction to

His Life, Work and Influence" is an outstanding introduction for anyone unfamiliar with him and an excellent discussion even for those already familiar with him.

British Dominican Father Aidan Nichols, prior of the Dominican -community of Blackfriars in Cambridge, England, is a leading Catholic theolo-

with this spiritual hero.

spect.

2) 3)

been having a

terrific

many

pact on Catholic laity for

This book

will

be a powerful tool

to nourish the Jesuit ethos and spiritu-

on Jesuit campuses as lay faculty and administrators take on more and more responsibility for maintaining ality

the spirit of Jesuit education.

Gospel: by

Even

be-

Mark

9:30-37

DAN LUBY

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

The young man had made

erations. Jesuit Fatbers

Jesuits in earlier years.

17-20

2:12,

Psalm 54:3-8 James 3:16-4:3

imgen-

William A. Barry and Robert G. Doherty have written a book that will be a valuable update and inspiration to the countless Catholic laity who were formed by

for himself as a writer,

and

a

name

his notoriety

had opened doors, allowed him to meet some famous people he admired.

There was no one he admired more than Dorothy Day, co-founder of the

Worker movement, author of

Catholic

book that anyone interested in cultivating a deeply Catholic spirituality in the world will want to read and reflect upon'.

The book is not about Ignatian spirituality (the spirituality found in

He waited nervously in the dining room of the Catholic Worker House while Day finished talking to one of the

the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola); instead, it is about the spirituality of the religious order, as expressed in its constitution, the exercises, and other documents, traditions and practices that have developed in the course of the order's 450 years of

patiently.

yond

that, this is a

He

an inspiring autobiography, a largerthan-life figure of immense spiritual depth and courage and humility. And now he was to begin a long interview

audience than Jesuits

tuality has

2003

kept talking, endlessly. Finally, Day asked her companion if she'd mind an interruption, then walked over to the man and asked, "Are you waiting to talk to one of us?"

It cut him, he said, to the bone, this quiet question which revealed to him his own sense of self-importance and showed him what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus, to welcome and respect those the world would call nobodies. Dorothy Day was simply following the teaching of Jesus in Sunday's Gospel: "Whoever receives one of these little children in my name receives me." May we be mindful of the "nobodies" in our world who deserve our attention, the "unimportant" ones who need our re-

1)

themselves. After all, through Jesuit high schools and colleges, Jesuit spiri-

to a

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

21,

himself more obvious, hoping the woman would get the hint and leave. He willed her to notice him and stop, but she

Cycle B Readings:

Wisdom

SEPT.

looking forward to?

Sunday in Ordinary Time

way

celebration of the Jesuit St.

2003

WORD TO LIFE

A roundup

A fresh look at Aquinas, and a reviewed by

19,

September

Questions:

Who

homeless people who'd come for a free meal. The woman was clearly drunk, rambling on and on while Day listened

helps

me

my

in

and attend to people

I

life

to notice

might other-

wise ignore? What fear about following Jesus might I especially need to pray about?

The man's nervousness slowly changed to irritation. It was obvious that he was waiting to talk to Day. Why didn't the drunk let her go and let him get on with this meeting he'd been so

Scripture to Illustrate: "If anyone wishes to rank first, he must remain the lasf one of all and the servant of

all"

(Mark

9:35b).

history.

Jesuit spirituality

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE

character-

is

by tension between forces: between trust in God and the use of one's talents; between prayer and action; between companionship and mission; between obedience and learning from experience; between the center and the periphery of the church; and the tensions of proper use of this world's goods, of chastity and ized

An IntroducWork and Influence,"

"Discovering Aquinas: tion to His Life,

by Dominican Father Aidan Nichols.

Eerdmans (Grand Rapids,

Mich.,

2003). 214 pp., $28.00.

"Contemplatives suit

A. Barry

G.

in

Action:

The Je-

Way," by Jesuit Father William

and Jesuit Father Robert

Doherty.

(Mahwah,

Paulist

N.J., 2003).

Press 80

of finding

God

in all things.

$11.95.

1

day

gian and writer, and his ability to

God, but they also use as

the average reader,

is

exceptional. In

language, he gives the reader a short biography of Thomas and follows this up with an overview of the main

themes in his theology (revelation, God and creation, the Trinity, the Trinity in man, angelology, grace and the virtues, and Christ, church, and sacraments).

In 20 pages Father Nichols covers Thomas' impact on theology since his time, then in two short chapters he introduces the reader to the role of Thomistic thought in both philosophy and theology.

You'll find no

more

interesting,

depended on

all

their talent,

well as whatever means seem adapted to attain their aims. To some they look like dreamers who waste

one to spark new life in your own understanding of what Christian faith is all about today.

"Contemplatives suit

Way,"

in

Action:

The

Je-

a brief introduction to Je-

suit spirituality,

should be of interest

SEPTEMBER

27

in

and efforts on a losing others they look like the neopagans with whom they often live and work. To others they seem so threatening that they become the en-

3-14,

James

1

:47-51

;

Tuesday

(St.

Jerome), Zechariah 8:20-23, Luke 9:51-56; Wednes-

Therese of the Child Jesus), Nehemiah 2:1-8, Luke 9:57-62; Thursday (Guardian Angels), Nehemiah 8:1-4, 5-6, 7-12, Matthew 18:1-5, 10; Friday, Baruch 1:15-22, Luke 10:13-16; Saturday (St. Francis of Assisi), Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29, Luke 10:17-24 (St.

their talent

To

cause.

emy

to be attacked

When

and even

killed.

they live within the creative

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SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4 Sunday (Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Numbers 11:25-29, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48; Monday (Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael), Daniel 7:9-10,

up" in these tensions. "They try to as if everything

Sunday

-

Ordinary Time), Wisdom 2:12, 17-20, James 3:164:3, Mark 9:30-37; Monday, Ezra 1:1-6, Luke 8:16-18; Tuesday, Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 14-20, Luke 8:19-21; Wednesday, Ezra 9:5-9, Luke 9:1-6; Thursday, Haggai 1:1-8, Luke 9:7-9; Friday (Sts. Cosmas & Damian), Haggai 1:15-2:9, Luke 9:18-22; Saturday (St. Vincent de Paul), Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15, Luke 9:43-45

work explain Aquinas and his thought to

remarkably clear and captivating

Sunday

21

.

Fathers Barry and Doherty describe Jesuits as men who are "caught

pp.,

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER

of more than 30 books for Catholic readers, including "For Men Only: Strategies for hiving Catholic" Finley

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The Catholic News & Herald

2003

19,

1

GOT SOUL

HE'S

GENESIS 46 2

1

3

4

5

12

6

§

13

I

15

18

32

Jr.

stars

37

38

ad executive who receives an unexpected inheritance, but can only collect organizing a gospel choir

in

his

hometown where the lone

talent

it

31

40

43

-

47

50

51

41

44

48

49

by

a sultry jazz

is

46

45

30

"~~

35

39

photo from Paramount Pictures

the movie "The Fighting Temptations" as an unemployed

in

"28

34

33

42

Cuba Gooding

29

23

27

36

11

20

26

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10

17

19

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CNS

8

7

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53

56

5'

54

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singer (Beyonce Knowles).

No use fighting these

1

59

58

1

60

Temptations' ACROSS

—

NEW YORK

(CNS) An unemployed ad executive (Cuba Gooding Jr.)

gospel music.

It

ming

walk out the theater door.

receives an unexpected inheritance, but can

And

only collect in his

it

the lone talent

is

a

sultry jazz singer (Beyonce Knowles).

Director Rick Famuyiwa's film has definite shortcomings,

able story line,

The

such as a predict-

some canned humor and

no wonder

1

,

hum-

since the film fea-

tures some of gospel and R&B's most well-known artists, such as Faith Evans, the O'Jays and Melba Moore. This is real down-home Gospel-music inspiration.

by organizing a gospel choir

hometown where

as they

that's

leaves the audience

a

rousing last number

stirring as

it

is

particularly

imparts

A few sexual references with sporadic

few needless sexual references. However, the film also has an endearing charm that is peppered with lessons of redemption, forgiveness and looking beyond outward appearances to see the goodness in people.

Gooding and Knowles both shine, but the real reason to watch this film is the great toe-tapping, finger-snapping

crass language.

Film

—

&

The USCCB

Office for

Better strike while

15

Not any

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"Out of

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Jacob's quarterback?

30

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Hebrew name

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12 The Catholic News & Herald

September

19,

2003

CULTURE WATCH TV WATCH

'Hope and

Faith' holds

promise

of caricature for both sets of parental characters (one as bullying, headstrong

with fresh angles on the same concept week after week.

Irish Catholics and the other as snippy gay men), the show condones the homo-

days, 8:30-9 p.m.

New

of blue-collar workers.

City,

— 'Karen

Sisco, "Wednesdays, 10-

EDT. Drama set

in

p.m.

Miami about

the per-

of a U.S. marshal (whose wardrobe consists of short sonal and professional

life

skirts, tight shirts, heels

ing

and a gun) chas-

down dangerous fugitives.

Some Interest: Based on

program is sleek and sexy, but unrealistic and formulaic. Robert Forster as the title character's dad is

Sitcom that has an out-of-work soap opera star fleeing Tinseltown to live with her older sister, a stay-at-home

mom juggling three kids,

EDT. Drama about

8-

9 p.m.

a highly specialized,

task force created by the Homeland Security Agency to combat terror threats and keep the nation safe.

elite

Some

Interest:

Tapping

into

America's fear of imminent terrorist attacks, the

and Nicole Paggi star

to Catholic

News

in

on Fridays

fall

the new in

ABC sitcom "Hope and

Faith."

program uses

ANNE NAVARRO Look for reviews of

other networks' fall line-ups in following issues.

(CNS)

—

ABC

is

adding three more law-enforcement related dramas to its prime-time lineup this fall, which, with the exception of 'The Practice" and its news magazines, makes ABC's serious programs all about cops and robbers.

Although ABC has no outstanding new programming, its lineup is not bad, with the exception of one sitcom which, with its slightly divisive storyline about gay fathers, may stir up some debate, or simply fade away because of subpar writing.

ABC'S

overexposure.

Navarro

a part-time reviewer for

is

Film

the Office for

& Broadcasting of the

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

lillilllll

MMMI

Service.

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

NEW YORK

Holds Promise: The connection between Faith Ford ("Murphy Brown") and Kelly Ripa ("Live With Regis and Kelly") is believable and appealing, as are the clever writing and the slapstick comedy. But the show may suffer from what audiences may interpret as Ripa's

The

prime time and "holds promise" according

Classifieds EMPLOYMENT

enforcement shows Editor's Note:

a husband and

plenty of laundry.

(al

ABC adds more law by

the current

all

Qaeda, security level) and worst-case scenarios (suicide bombers) to thrill audiences until the happy ending. But it might be tough to come up lingo

Kelly Ripa

Faith, "Fridays, 9-9:30

EDT.

p.m.

— "Threat Matrix, "Thursdays,

ABC

— 'Hope &

Jennifer

terrific.

PHOTO FROM

where his wife's large, close-knit and sometimes stifling family lives.

Some Interest: Adjusting to the Midwestern lifestyle and large family dynamics provides some comical moments and snappy dialogue keeps things rolling. But lead Breckin Meyer seems to be carrying the whole show.

Lopez's character in the movie "Out of Sight," the

CNS

to the Kellys, " Fri-

EDT.

Sitcom about a true-blue, only-child Yorker who uproots to Kansas

sexual lifestyle while eliciting laughter

from homophobic jokes and put-downs

1 1

series premieres this

— "Married

born rookie cop in the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department.

Some Interest: A bit heavy-handed on the police fraternity side with all the teasing and harassing the established cops give the newbies, but if writers can even out the balance between comedy and drama, it may find an audience.

"I'm With Her, " Tuesdays,

—

8:30-9 p.m.

narios

may

—

—

"10-8," Sundays, 8-9 p.m. EDT. Action drama about a Brooklyn-

tire

soon.

"It's

All Relative, "Wednesdays,

EDT.

which opposites attract as an Irish-Catholic young man falls for an upper-crust Harvard gal who's been raised by two gay men.

Problematic: Teetering on the edge in

—James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, The Midwest Book Review to:

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September

19,

2003

The Catholic News & Herald 13

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Upcoming to TIRE'

rally

up

Program works

faith

FORT east

Adopted grandparent has giving heart

FIRE

to unite parish

— The South-

MILL,' S.C.

andschool

Rally, a dynamic, one-day

Catholic event for adults will be held at

CHARLOTTE

the Charlotte Bobcats Training Center in

March 13, 2004.

The event is geared

— At

St.

Gabriel

School, generations are growing

Fort Mill, S.C, on Saturday,

closer together.

Through the school's Adopt-aGrandparent Program, Richard Cox

to ignite par-

through powerful, challenging talks on Faith, Intercession, Repentance and Evangelism by the nationally recognized FIRE team of Franciscan Father Michael Scanlan, a Third Order Regular Franciscan; Sister Ann ticipants' faith experiences

has become part of the School family.

St.

Gabriel

The program was

created to enthe relationship between the school and St. Gabriel Church. Students without grandparents or whose grandparents live out of town are given opportunities to gain wisdom rich

Shields, superior of the Servants of

God's Love in the Diocese of Lansing, Mich.; Ralph Martin; and Peter Herbeck.

Bishop Robert J. Baker of Charleston, S.C, is the principal celebrant and homilist of the closing liturgy. The rally will include dynamic, inspiring music by Hearts of Fire from Durham, a bookstore and a min-

from and

affection for their elders,

while older parishioners can become involved with the life of the school they are able to attend events such as Grandparents' Day, talent shows and family bingo night.

Cox, a St. Gabriel parishioner and former U.S. fighter pilot during World War II, is already "Grandpa" to 37 grandchildren of his own, but his love for children prompted his involvement at the school. He has now become "Grandpa" to two more children St. Gabriel School students whose grandparents live out of town.

—

istry fair.

The original Southeast FIRE Rally in 1999 sold out several weeks in advance. Register early for this event by calling Good News Minis-

—

at (704) 521-9949 or visit www.fireministry.org/ charlotte. tries

Courtesy Photo

Richard Cox, already a grandfather to 37 grandchildren,

—

grandchildren

students at

St.

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—

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on a bench

two "adopted" in

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to Pennybyrn.

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• CNH8/8-8/22

m

•

are in

14 The Catholic News & Herald

September

Perspectives

A

collection of columns,

and viewpoints

editorials

Pope thanks God WOODEN

VATICAN CITY

A new decline in

God

that he

The Pope

— Pope

(CNS)

publicly gave thanks to

II

was

was noticeably stronger than when he was abroad.

Although he skipped a few lines of

voice that

Mass attendance is

down

in the

Archdiocese of Washington.

For the first time in a decade, the

number of people coming to Sunday Mass has declined. The decline over the previous year was 7.55 percent.

many

rors similar declines in

It

mir-

parts of the

country.

Overall, less than one-third of

Washington area Catholics are coming to Mass on Sundays. We had just over 1 50,000 people in the pews, out of more than 500,000. That ratio pretty much has been unchanged over the past decade.

The Washington

data

based on a

is

headcount taken each year by ushers at all

Sunday Masses

tendance then

is

in

October.

The

at-

Diary

Independent studies from several (minifies

knows what to There are

wee prwortf»d ertfcet as onwstfwi j

!

Um wwkfr, ragjtorfy or every SuwftTjL

||=irj*

Like many dioceses, Washington takes a count in October because it is a "normal" month. There are no major holidays and extended vacations, which might distort the numbers.

Our October 2002 decline was the first

since 1994.

migrant population.

Mass attendance over

the past 10

years had inched up 2 or 3 percent each

our response to

this de-

Nothing so far.

In 1997, Sunday Mass attendance went up just over 5 percent. We were

crease?

As

That was

in the

is

customary

at the first general

sure that entering into the

tion of Europe, including

on the

The

visit, he said, of Bishop Vasyl

centerpiece of the

was the

beatification

Hopko and Sister Zdenka Schelingova, who were martyred under communism.

14, the feast

visit to Slovakia.

Cross, served as a reminder that "the

"I

give thanks to the Lord,

the third time allowed

noble nation," he

me

who

for

to visit that

said.

Celebrating the beatification Sept. of the Exaltation of the Holy

Slovak people, in dramatic moments of suffering, found strength and hope in the cross of Christ."

especially true in

the subur-

there

we

rationales

Letters to

the Editor

was down

tend to use to excuse our-

from communal efforts toward faith formation perhaps better phrased as efforts toward growth in selves

—

However, the sniper scare does not account for the -whole decline. Attendance was down even in areas untouched by the sniper, such as southern Maryland. Most disturbingly, the biggest decline in Mass attendance was on college campuses. Our campus ministries reported a 42 percent decline in Mass attendance over the previous year.

I think a major reason for the 2002 decline in Mass attendance is the fallout from the child-abuse scandal. In October 2002, when our count took place, the scandal had just passed its crescendo.

During the height of the scandal, poll after poll showed 95 percent of the faithful saying that it would not affect But 5 percent

affect their faith.

Catholics

is

a lot

said

it

would

Five percent of U.S. of people, about 3.3

Nationwide, declining Mass atten-

dance

is

a real challenge for the church,

especially

among young

people.

Catholic University sociologist Dean Hoge and his research team have shown that only 37 percent of youngadult Catholics think it is important to attend Mass once per week.

Whatever the reasons this past year,

it is

for the decline

serious

— not

cause

for alarm, but certainly cause for reflec-

tion

and discussion. believe Jesus has the

I

lasting

life. I

bread of

Good to

go

how

life.

words of ever-

believe the Eucharist If

we

is

the

are followers of the

Shepherd, maybe in search

level of

values," he said.

tation

their faith.

will

offer a valid contribution to the construc-

audience after a trip, Pope John Paul devoted his main talk to reporting on his

several possible reasons

One

was

am

spirituality. Implicit in his brief

year, consistent with overall population

growth. Therefore, a decline of 7.55 percent is serious. It is actually a reversal of more than 9 percent to 10 percent because it wiped out our typical 2- or 3-percent increase.

"I

European Union, the Slovak people

23 percent.

a

modest increase in attendance each year in the Washington region, which has a fast-growing general population, including a large Hispanic im-

is

<

million to be precise!

One probably would expect

What

do.

Mass attendance

school.

30%

top two soccer leagues. who has been recog-

group.

ban area where the shootings started. It was also true in Prince Georges County, Md., where a boy was shot on his way to

Italy

future.

nized as the world's top professional soc-

Montgomery County, Md.,

Percent of those attending for select countries

* Octa

Italy's

cer referee five years in a row,

getting shot.

hove found thai 30-65 percent of Catholics attend Moss each Sunday.

after the audience greeting indi-

from

they have had for centuries to Christ and

Gandolfo, stayed for about an

viduals and groups, including referees

of the most frequently mentioned reasons is the Washington-area sniper scare. Last year people were staying home out of fear of

Taking Attendance

to the church and to encourage them to maintain their Christian values in the

Pierluigi Collina,

for the decline.

averaged out.

in Slovakia.

hour

very proud of that increase. This year, with the decline, we are saying nothing.

Perhaps that's because nobody is sure exactly why the decline took place or

trip in

order to confirm Slovaks in the fidelity

at Castel

Columnist

he made the

said

any of the texts off to an aide to read as he had done

Pope John Paul, who was driven to the Vatican from his summer residence

FATHER PETER J. DALY

The pope

17 general audience in St.

Peter's Square, he did not pass

Parish

CNS

CATHOLIC

By

NEWS SERVICE

the texts in 11 languages prepared for his Sept.

Mass attendance

Speaks

able to visit Slovakia

11-14 and did so speaking in a

Sept.

2003

for visit to Slovakia

by CINDY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

John Paul

19,

now

is

the time

of the lost sheep.

they have strayed from the

Some-

flock.

are saved as a people

God

Column on track about

office

of Christian formation,

my

I

want to

appreciation for the recent

by Dr. Cris Villapando on the urgency for the embrace of a vibrant

editorial

adult faith formation effort in

myths

Church," Sept.

in the Catholic

we go

Catholic^

News

'"'

in

our parishes to make the discipleship

Thomas Mahan, Ph.D. Brevard

'

; Vy'/V \.jf Pope John Paul II has often underlined the development of effective adult programs as central to all catechesis.

This concern has been echoed in the Vatican publication of the General Directory for Catechesis and the pastoral letter by the U.S. bishops.

Many Catholics, especially those whose catechetical roots are found in pre- Vatican

II

approaches,

still

see their

Catholic identity as established by attendance at Sunday and holy day liturgies and monthly confessions. Dr. Villapando, with his succinct delineation of five myths about adult faith formation, confronts each of us with the rich Gospel image of our call to discipleship.

Faith formation is the road to that discipleship with its intertwined components of holiness and service to others, each dependent upon continuing growth through conversion.

By

listing his five

Villapando has removed

to

model that Dr. Villapando presents the natural development of our being nourished by the eucharistic liturgy, the source and summit of our spiritual lives?

'

1.2).

we

& Herald and Dr.

par-

all

ishes ("Adult faith formation: Antidote to five

that

together.

The

a former director of a diocesan

express

—

Villapando have done their jobs. The question now is what will each of us do

adult faith formation As

presen-

the church's teaching that

is

myths, Dr.

many

of the

WRITE A LETTER

TO THE EDITOR The Catholic News & Herald wel-

comes

from readers. We ask be originals of 250 words

letters

that letters

or less.

To be considered for publication, each letter must include the name, address and phone number of the writer for purpose of verification. Letters may be condensed due to space limitations

and

and edited

for clarity, style

taste.

Send

letters to Letters to

Catholic

News &

the Editor,

Herald, P.O.

The Box

37267, Charlotte, N.C. 28237, ore-mail catholicnews@charlottediocese.org.

September

19,

The Catholic News & Herald 15

2003

After

Do you have a We

have special gilts, dispensed in accordance with the Divine Wisdom.

Some, St. Paul tells us, have the gift of healing; others the power of miracles or prophesy, or the gift of tongues or the ability to interpret them. Above all, he continues: "There are three gifts that last: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these

not, then be assured,

Ask

asking.

He

you have a loving heart?

tells

A

it is

If

biographer of

St.

Francis of Assisi

of an occasion when Francis came upon Brother Juniper and found him to be

Guest

Column OFM

enough, he discovered that the stately tree, so prized for its grandeur and beauty, was hollow from top to bottom.

Only a rim of solid wood remained, barely enough to support the tree's weight. What was the farmer to do? If he

skinning the

Brother Juniper was deep in sor-

rowful thought over his stupidity and his utter uselessness to his confreres.

Francis had a different view. "Cheer up, Brother Juniper," he said, "Don't

you

know

gift

you possess the greatest

of all: a loving heart?"

In addition to a loving heart, we need to keep our feet on earth while longing for heaven. Since the dawn of

human

we have climbed

curiosity,

mountains and gazed into the night sky wondering whether there is life somewhere out there; hoping, or perhaps fearing that

Cap

Today's scientists enlist the latest technology in an effort to communicate with the humans-beyond-the-moon.

We are challenged first to communione another here on earth. We

are now.

first

we are not alone

in the universe.

are tempted to climb the mountains and forget the beauty of the valley,

where we

We

see freedom, knowledge, mastery and mystery above and we forget the care, sorrow, joy, limitations and success beneath the sky. The heights and the last frontiers may have the gift of mystery; the valleys, however, have the gift of fellowship and service. You work where you are now, to get to the heights later! The reality check is more important than the thrill of success.

At one point during the Civil War, President Lincoln's cabinet was confronted with the uncovering of a Washington spy ring providing key information to the Confederacy.

Not only was

the

president concerned about the security

was

issues involved, he

tressed at the disloyalty

so

The farmer went

to investigate, fearing the worst. Sure

seemed he could never do anything right.

In fact, he was so dumb that when Francis came upon him, he had just tried to cook a

that

the tree into a tree hole.

AURILIA,

cate with

rabbit-dinner without

who had a massive shade tree that many years against the test of One morning while at work in his

garden, the farmer saw a squirrel run up

FATHER JOHN

also deeply dis-

and subterfuge of

many he thought was

a supporter.

on new, young

dilemma faced by an old

farmer time.

A perspective

said

stood for

frame of mind. Poor Brother Juniper was a little short of brainpower, it must be acknowledged; it

in a particularly sad

rabbits.

story about the

yours for the

tells

who had

nothing during the meeting, was visibly He expressed his feeling with a

you

you.

was presented,

disturbed.

and then do whatever

Jesus,

the evidence

asked for orders. Lincoln,

all

love."

is

Do do

loving heart?

all

the secretary of war turned to Lincoln and

priests The Human Side

would do considerable damage with its great length and

cut the tree down,

it

spreading branches. If he

let

remain, a

it

storm or strong wind could topple

"A young first

Turning away, he cursed, "I wish I had never seen that squirrel!"

Being rooted in reality makes us aware of the awesome mystery surrounding our limited knowledge and leads us into true faith and love. A famous atheist, Clarence Darron, once said inside.

'They tell me there is a God, have never seen Him, I have no personal acquaintance with Him." To which his opponent replied, "It is credibly reported that Mr. Darron has a mind, but I have never seen it, I have never touched it, I have no personal acquaintance with it."

Instead of saying, "I wish I had never seen that squirrel," let's say "I wish I had a loving heart." The squirrel is in a debate, I

there,

we like

it

or not!

cleric just

out of a seminary

often looks out from the pulpit during that

it,

crushing his house and killing everyone

but

mi

FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK CNS Columnist

sermon and

sees a flock that looks to

be the age of parents and grandparents.

The

congregants looking back often see a

person the age of someone they used to

bounce on

As

I

their knee."

continued to the next paragraph

the article "New Clerics Seek Ways to Reach Aging Flocks," by Marek Fuchs of the New York Times, I broke into laughter because of the memories it evoked of in

my

early priesthood.

When

was ordained,

I

ing with the knowledge

I

was

burst-

had accumulated over 12 years of study. Fresh from I

my first homilies came straight

the books,

out of them. People were very kind to me,

and would say, "Father, that was a great homily," then add, "very profound," meaning, "I didn't understand a word."

A friend of mine, a plumber, would chide me on Saturdays not to forget the double S on Sunday: "Keep it simple, stupid!"

'First

parents' besides

Q. Tou have explained in the past that Catholic teaching does not rule out the possibility of other "first par-

Adam and Eve. I can accept In fact, I don't, know how you

ents" than that.

could understand the story of creation in Genesis any other way.

Cain, supposedly Adam's and Eve's first child, fears someone will kill him after he kills Abel (Gn 4:14), then goes to the "land of Nod" where he marries a wife and, estab-

and

a

lishes

made

therefore have

Adam and Eve

is

things

off.

Bible passages such as

Paul's remark,

(Adam)

other people than

to start

My problem St.

God must

(4:16-17).

city

"Through one man world" (Romans

sin entered the

How

do we explain such a statement if there were other original human

5:12).

ancestors?

(New

York)

Adam and Eve?

essential truths of

traditions that

all,

went

that the

human

family,

owes its existence to creation by the one true God; that as it came into existence, the earth was good and intended for

human

on earth

from people's own stubbornness and sinfulness; and that even in the beginning God had a plan eventually to save us from that

Now

your question. Preachers

to

commonly

'and writers

use the device of

When

a priest in a

Son or to the Lion King as ways a figure of Christ, he is not

in

into the formation

profess-

made, and

They

fit

the point to be

that's all their

mention

means.

When as

such as polygenism

three days, so he would be in the

that

is,

whether

Jesus, for example, said that

Jonah was

in the belly

do with the theological intent of the biblical story of God's creation, which was put together in the form we have it only a few hundred years before

knew

Christ.

reference to a familiar Scripture story

little

to

That story

is

meant

to

convey some

belief that

poor Jonah actually lived

three days in a whale's stomach. the Jonah story

to his audience, so he used his

He

was well-known it

coming resurrection.

Thus Jesus did it, and so

it.

healthy and

1950 encyclical "Humani Pope Pius XII referred to some doctrinal and scriptural problems with polygenism, some of which have been resolved, incidentally, in the 53 years

serious illness bravely.

In his

Generis,"

since.

At the

time, he said Catholics

apparent" ible

hold

not

how

this

opinion

that

opinion

"it

is

not

compat-

is

with certain Catholic teachings.

It

is

commonly acknowledged, "Humani Generis" labels more than one "Adam and

therefore, that

the belief in

Eve" a conjectural opinion. call that

It

does not

to the healthy, overlooking those

This concurs with current Catholic

One Good

Afree brochure describing basic Catholic and moral precepts

is

avail-

stamped sef-addressed Fatlier John Dietzen, Box 325,

able by sending a

envelope to Peoria,

IL 61651.

I

never will forget receiving a

ner,

who

When

the

may be sent to Father Dietzen same address, or e-mail:

jjdietzen@aol.com.

call in

said her daughter

I

who

I

woke

had

died.

As

I

the other priest

asked where

I

was going.

told him, he said, "She doesn't

have a daughter." I called the parishioner back and learned that the daughter who had died was her cat.

In observing the mistakes of

young at

my

started

I

the middle of the night from a parishio-

assistant,

prayers, beliefs

Friday,

homily talking about the Mount of Olives and then proceeded to describe, in detail, every movement Christ made from there to Calvary. One of the priests I lived with commented, "At the rate you were going, we thought you were going to talk about each of the cobblestones Christ walked on."

was rushing out

tion.

who

have a much greater strength that we seldom acknowledge: the strength to face

opinion erroneous or heretical.

Questions

could help, they didn't hesitate to use

*

when you feel

strong to preach homilies that only speak

to illustrate

did Paul. If

I

so easy

It's

tomb

for three days, he wasn't declaring a

talk about the

doubt

the morning.

of the whale

more than one "first parents."

Whether there were 20 or 200 such ancestors, or where they came from, has there were

Columnist

teaching concerning biblical interpreta-

of the Genesis creation stories were not addressing anthropological questions

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

some

ing a belief that these people or animals

the various literary

DIETZEN

CNS

homily, for example, refers to the Prodigal

would

it resonated with young wonder what older people were thinking, some of whom were happy if they could just get out of bed in

(polygenism) as a fact since

those characters.

No

miles.

should

ing judgment on the actual existence of

I

people, but

make

no intention of declar-

homilies.

FATHER JOHN

referring to well-known characters to a point, with

ran mara-

runner's high and gutting out the last

result

sinfulness.

I

Corner

happiness; that whatever moral

evils exist

early days,

thons and often used them as examples in

my

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

faith

world, including our

really existed.

A. First of

our

During those

Question

my first reaction is to No doubt this is the reac-

priests,

correct them.

tion of parishioners too.

But before do-

ing any correcting, don't forget that were once like them.

we

16 The Catholic News & Herald

September

19,

2003

PARISH PROFILE

St.

Thomas Aquinas provides home

for

growing University-area Catholics

CHARLOTTE

—

During the

1970s, Catholics in the area of the University of

North Carolina

celebrated

Mass

at Charlotte

in dormitories, apart-

ments, a Lutheran church and a rest

home

St.

chapel.

Consolate priests ministered to

Pastor: Capuchin Father Ignatius

Catholic students at UNC-Charlotte prior to the founding of the Diocese of

Charlotte in 1972.

By

the mid-1970s,

students were being ministered by

lic

Ob-

Father Joseph Travers, then-Catho-

late

Thomas Aquinas Church

1400 Suther Road Charlotte, N.C. 28213 (704) 549-1607

campus

When

minister.

Zampino Parochial Vicars: Capuchin Father Martin Schratz, Capuchin Father

Stanley Kobel

Permanent Deacons: Rev. Mr. Carl Macero, Rev. Mr. Mark Nash

the diocese announced plans

to establish

ninth parish in the see

its

Number

of Families: 2,500

Father Travers was chosen to lead the parish. He began preparing to build a church with money donated by an

city,

anonymous benefactor. Catholics from northern Mecklenburg and southern Cabarrus counties were invited to join the students as the founding members of the

new

parish.

Oblate Father Joseph Zuschmidt succeeded Father Travers in August 1978, and building efforts continued.

A nearby house was purchased that

month

Capuchin

and the 250-seat church was completed in March 1979. Bishop Michael J. for use as a rectory,

Ignatius

Father

Zampino

St.

Thomas Aquinas Church, which celebrates

third church built

on the

site

its

25th anniversary this year,

File

Photo

is

the

and seats over 1,100 people.

Begley, then-bishop of Charlotte, dedicated the structure in April, giving the St. cial

Thomas Aquinas community offiparish status. The registry jumped

from 15 to 40

families.

the mid-1980s, booming growth in north Charlotte led to the need for larger worship space for St.

By

Thomas Aquinas

parishioners.

Con-

1984 and a multipurpose building with worship space for 350 people was dedicated March 31, 1985. The new church served parishioners well for a few years, but it was outgrown by decade's end as the struction began in

grew to nearly 1,000 families.

Father Ray Berg was pastor during third groundbreaking ceremony in

parish the

June 1994, and construction proceeded during the pastorate of Msgr. John

McSweeney. At the invitation of thenBishop William G. Curlin, Capuchin Franciscan Friars assumed responsibility of the parish in January 1995. Capuchin Father Ignatius Zampino became pastor and Capuchin Father Thomas Crangle became associate pastor.

Bishop Curlin dedicated the new 1,11 6-seat

sanctuary for the

1

,300 regis-

November of that year. church is now used as the

tered families in

The

original

parish office, and the second building utilized as

Aquinas

Hall, the parish so-

adorned the sanctuary in

Newton,

at St.

N.J.

Francis

include a

three-ton marble altar, the tabernacle its

altar,

a sanctuary lamp, holy

water fonts and Stations of the Cross.

New York craftsman Don Shephard designed the items, which placed first in a liturgical art competition in the Vatican pavilion at the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York.

Shephard also designed the church's stained glass windows, originally

#

SOUTHEAST

large crucifix above the altar

Faith

Damiano

— a challenge to Catholics to renew

style.

In February 1997, Bishop Curlin

dedicated the Family Life Center, which

includes

16 classrooms, offices and a

regulation-size

gymnasium

to host the

presented by

RALLY Experience the 'New Springtime' of the Third Christian Millennium

and deepen

their relationship with

the Lord.

Ralph Martin Ralph is the founding President of Renewal Ministries, a Catholic mission organization,

and hosts a popular weekly television series.

The Choices We Face. Ralph isalso the founding

parish's faith formation

program, pre-

school and athletic groups.

That

year,

Capuchin Father Martin

editor oi

Nav Covenant magazine and

of several books.

author

He presently leadsThe Word

of God, an ecumenical Christian community in

Ann Arbor, Michigan.

and parish RCIA programs have blossomed under his guidance. In 1998, Capuchin Father Stanley Kobel was also assigned as parochial vicar and he has helped the youth program to flourish.

March 1999, Dominican Sisters Pagulayan and Sister Bernadita Dandoy assumed the duties In

Anastacia

as director of faith formation and of the pre-school programs, respectively. A convent was purchased this year behind

the Family Life Center.

In 2000, a columbarium in the parish

garden was blessed. In 2003, Sister

and Sister Jennifer Ober and Sister Jean Bunda joined the staff; the parish mortgage was paid off and the Family Life Center was renamed the Father Ignatius Zampino Family Life Center. Also in recent years, Rev. Mr. Carl Macero and Rev. Mr. Mark Nash joined the parish as permaleft

the parish

nent deacons.

With

2,500 families, St.

I ntercession —a

call to united prayer as

most important

of Charlotte.

John Paul U.

"My hope and prayer is that all who attend the FIRE Rally will experience a deeper conversion,

spiritual

our

weapon

New

Evangelization to which our Holy Father has called us in the new millennium."

— Most Reverend Robert

J.

Baker,

STD

Bishop of Charleston

SGL

for the Journey.

She

is the

books, including Fire

in

author of several

My Heart, and is a

frequent conference speaker.

Repentance —aw

exhortation to turn away from sin to a Christ-centered, Spirit'filled

Fr. Fr.

life.

Michael Scanlan,

Michael

is

the Chancellor

TOR and former

President of Franciscan University of Steubenville/Ohio, and wasordained in 1964.

In 1990, he was awarded the Cross Pro Ecclesiaet Pontificcby Pope John Paul H. He has authored several books including his autobiography. Let the Fire Fall.

A CATHOLIC ALLIANCE Of FAITH, INTERCESSION,

F VANGELISM —an invitation to spread the Good News of salvation and the gift of authentic Catholicism, Peter

is

Director of Missions at Renewal

REPENTANCE, AND EVANGELISM

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS TRAINING CENTER FORT MILL, SOUTH CAROLINA

SATURDAY, 9:00

MARCH 13, 2004

am

- 6:00

pm

(Doors open at 8:00 am.)

Dynamic, Inspired Music

by Hearts of Fire Bookstore

& Ministry Fair

Ministries and lias served numerous retreats,

conferences,

world.

Church can expect continued spiritual growth in a continually expanding area

Most Rev. Robert J. Baker, STD Bishop Baker is shepherd to Catholics throughout the state of South Carolina.

He has served as a pastor, counselor, mentor, and professor during his priesthood and was appointed as the 1 2th Bishop of Charleston in 1999 by Pope

avaitable for renewing the face of the eartit.

Sr. Ann Shields, Sr. Annis me superior of fheSeivantsof God's Love in Lansing, Michigan, and is a regular co-host on the television program. The Oioices We Face. She also hosts a radio program, Food

Peter Herbeck

now numbering Thomas Aquinas

the parish

Closing Liturgy Celebrant & Homilist

a greater desire for reconciliation, and a willingness to be more fully involved in the

Schratz was assigned as parochial vicar,

Bernadita

Church furnishings that once

and

A

was another new highlight. Crafted by a local parishioner, the wooden cross measures more than 15 feet in height. Hanging from it is a sevenfoot-tall, custom-made corpus of Christ from Italy, designed in the San

is

cial center.

Seminary

crafted for St. Francis Seminary.

and events around the work has been devoted

rallies,

Much of his

helping equip Cathwlics for ministry through training in the exercise of spi ritual gifts. Peter and his wife Debbie have four to

children and live in

Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Further Information Phone:

(704) 521-9949

Email: carolinaevents2@aol.com

Online Registration: http://www.firemimstrv.org/charlotte