Nov. 23, 2012

November 23, 2012

catholicnewsherald.com charlottediocese.org S E RV I N G C H R I ST A N D C O N N EC T I N G C AT H O L I C S I N W E ST E R N N O R T H C A R O L I N A

Belmont Abbey College’s HHS lawsuit goes to federal appeals court,

Filling the shelves

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St. Matthew Parish eyes expansion to Waxhaw, 5 INDEX Contact us.......................... 4 Events calendar................. 4 Our Parishes.................. 4-9 Schools......................... 16-19 Scripture readings............ 2 TV & Movies...................... 20 U.S. news..................... 22-23 Viewpoints.................. 26-27 World news................. 24-25 Year of Faith.................... 2-3

Local Catholics support food pantries, give thanks for God’s blessings

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FUNDED by the parishioners of the diocese of charlotte THANK YOU!

INSIDE: How you can help Catholic Social Services, 10-11 Our Lady of Consolation feeds hundreds, 5

St. Gabriel School gives thanks, 16 Students collect food, make holiday crafts, 16-17

Arden artist uses Godgiven talent to uplift others, 20

The Nicene Creed: Statement of what we believe,

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Deacon James Toner: Rules, rituals and rigidities,

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Year of faith

catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Ignorance of faith risks creating cafeteria Catholics, pope says Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Ignorance of the faith puts Christians at risk of following a “do-it-yourself” religion, Pope Benedict XVI said.

People need to become more familiar with the creed because it is there that the “Christian moral life is planted and ... one finds its foundation and justification,” the pope said at his weekly general audience Oct. 17 – beginning a new series of audience talks to accompany the Year of Faith.

He said he hopes the series of instructional talks help people “strengthen or rediscover the joy of faith and realize that it isn’t something foreign to or separate from everyday life, but is its soul.”

Pope Benedict said the widespread and dominant nature of today’s secularism, individualism and relativism means that even Christians are not completely “immune from these dangers.”

Some of the negative effects include faith being lived “passively or in private, a refusal to learn about the faith, and the rift between faith and life,” he said.

“Often Christians don’t even know the central core of their own Catholic faith – the creed – thereby leaving room for a certain syncretism and religious relativism,” he said. Without a clear idea of the faith’s fundamental truths and the uniquely salvific nature of Christianity, “the risk of constructing a so-called ‘do-ityourself’ religion is not remote today.”

“Where do we find the essential formula of the faith? Where do we find the truths that have been faithfully handed down and make up the light of our daily life,” he asked.

He said the answer is the creed, or profession of faith, which needs to be better understood, reflected upon and integrated into one’s life.

Christians need to “discover the profound link between the truths we profess in the creed and our daily life” so that these truths are allowed to transform the “deserts of modern-day life.”

The Christian faith is not a belief in an idea or just an outlook on life, he said, but a relationship with the living person of Christ who transforms lives.

That is why having faith in God isn’t merely an intellectual activity, but something that “truly changes everything in us and for us; it clearly reveals our future destiny, the truth of our vocation within history, the meaning of life and the pleasure of being pilgrims heading toward the heavenly home.”

Pope Benedict said faith doesn’t take anything away from one’s life, rather it is what renders life more just and humane.

Current cultural changes “often show many forms of barbarity, which hide under the guise of victories won by civilization,” he said.

However, “wherever there is domination, possessiveness, exploitation, treating others as a commodity,” and arrogance, humankind is “impoverished, degraded and disfigured.”

Faith shows that humanity won’t find its full realization unless the human person “is animated by the love that comes from God,” he said.

The gift of faith then finds expression in “relationships full of love, compassion, care and selfless service toward others.”

‘Often Christians don’t even know the central core of their own Catholic faith – the creed – thereby leaving room for a certain syncretism and religious relativism.’

“The First Council of Nicaea” by Giovanni Speranza, a fresco painted ca. 1600, in the Vatican Library

Where did the Nicene Creed come from?

The Nicene Creed is the declaration of the Christian faith for all Catholics and Orthodox as well as many Protestants. It is also called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, because it was defined at the Councils of Nicaea (325 A.D.) and Constantinople (381 A.D.).

The Nicene Creed explains the Church’s teachings about the Trinity and affirms historical realities of Jesus’ life. The creed does not directly quote Scripture, but it is based on biblical truths.

The Council of Nicaea was the first general council of the Church since the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem, which set conditions for Gentiles to join the Church. Roman persecution of Christians had just ended 12 years earlier, but now the Church was divided over the question of Jesus’ divinity.

Heretics led by a priest named Arius in Alexandria, Egypt, claimed that if Jesus was begotten by God, He must have had a beginning like every other part of God’s creation – therefore, Jesus was not fully God. The theological dispute threatened the peace of the Roman empire, so Emperor Constantine – at the request of several concerned bishops – called for a meeting of all the Church’s bishops in the easily accessible town of Nicaea (present-day Iznik, Turkey), organized like the Roman Senate with himself as a non-voting observer. The council

met in Senatus Palace (which now lies under Lake Iznik).

An estimated 318 bishops came from Rome, Jerusalem and Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Greece, Asia Minor, Persia, Georgia, Armenia, Gaul, Hispania and the Danube. Among them were Pope St. Silvester, St. Nicholas of Myra, St. Eusebius of Caesarea (considered the Church’s first historian), St. Athanasius and St. Alexander of Alexandria.

Each bishop could bring up to two priests and three deacons, so the total attendance could have been as many as 1,800.

Many of the bishops had the marks of persecution on their faces – they had faced the threat of death for their faith and they were sensitive to details of doctrine. These were not wishy-washy men.

The council’s main purpose was to quash the Arian heresy and settle the doctrine of the Trinity – that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit were three divine persons in complete union. The term “Trinity” was not new, of course. Besides Jesus’ references to it in Scripture, many early Church fathers had written about it from the 1st century onward.

Besides the Arian heresy, the council fathers CREED, SEE page 28

Your daily Scripture readings SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF NOV. 25-DEC. 1

Sunday: Daniel 7:13-14, Revelation 1:5-8, John 18:33-37; Monday: Revelation 14:1-5, Luke 21:1-4; Tuesday: Revelation 14:14-19, Luke 21:5-11; Wednesday: Revelation 15:1-4, Luke 21:12-19; Thursday: Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3,9, Luke 21:2028; Friday (St. Andrew): Romans 10:9-18, Matthew 4:18-22; Saturday: Revelation 22:1-7, Luke 21:34-36

Scripture readings for the week of DEC. 2-8

Sunday: Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2, Luke 21:25-28, 34-36; Monday (St. Francis Xavier): Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 8:5-11; Tuesday (St. John Damascene): Isaiah 11:1-10, Luke 10:21-24; Wednesday: Isaiah 25:6-10, Matthew 15:29-37; Thursday (St. Nicholas): Isaiah 26:1-6, Matthew 7:21, 2427; Friday (St. Ambrose): Isaiah 29:17-24, Matthew 9:27-31; Saturday: Genesis 3:9-15,20, Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12, Luke 1:26-38

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DEC. 9-15

Sunday: Baruch 5:1-9, Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11, Luke 3:1-6; Monday: Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 5:17-26; Tuesday (St. Damasus): Isaiah 40:1-11, Matthew 18:12-14; Wednesday: Zechariah 2:1417, Judith 13:18-19, Luke 1:26-38; Thursday (St. Lucy): Isaiah 41:13-20, Matthew 11:11-15; Friday (St. John of the Cross): Isaiah 48:17-19, Matthew 11:16-19; Saturday: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11, Matthew 17:9-13

November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

The Nicene Creed I Believe in One God Christians, like Jews and Muslims, believe that only one God exists. The creed states the assumption of the ancient Shema: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.”

It begins with “I believe,” because reciting the creed is ultimately an individual confession of belief, although the creed also expresses the collective beliefs of the Church.

The Father Almighty Jesus frequently calls God “Father” in the Scriptures, and this usage tells us that God is a loving God active within His creation. God the Father is the first person (Greek “hypostasis,” “individual reality”), or distinction, within the Godhead. The Father is the “origin” or “source” of the Trinity. As such, God the Father is often called “God Unbegotten” in early Christian thought.

Maker of Heaven and Earth, of All Things Visible and Invisible Catholics believe that God created the visible world (created matter) and the invisible one (spiritual world of angels, etc.). Thus, God created everything. Some early sects, such as the Gnostics, believed that God the Father created the spirit world, but that an “evil” god (called the “demiurge”) created the similarly evil material world. The creed dispels such a notion.

I Believe in One Lord Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is the Lord of all. The title Lord means that Jesus is master of all, and has connotations of deity, since the Hebrew word “adonai” and Greek word “kyrios” (both meaning Lord) were applied to Yahweh in the Old Testament. However, unlike earthly rulers, Jesus is a friend to the oppressed and a servant.

The Only Begotten Son of God Jesus is in a unique relationship with God the Father.

While Hebrew kings were sons of God symbolically (see Psalm 2), Jesus is the only Son of God by nature.

Born of the Father Before All Ages Begotten has the meaning of born, generated, or produced. God the Son is born out of the essence of God the Father. Just as a child shares the same humanness as his or her parents, the Son shares the essential nature of God with the Father. Since God is eternal, the Son, being begotten of God, is also eternal.

God from God, Light from Light God the Son exists in relation to God the Father. The Son is not the Father, but they both are God. Just as a torch is lit one to another, the Father and Son are distinct, but both light. Some Christians, called Sabellians or Modalists, wrongly said that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were one God who changes roles. So when God creates, He is Father, while on earth, He is Son, and so forth. However, the Scriptures have all three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – interacting at the same time, as shown at Jesus’ baptism. St. Athanasius, writing during the Nicene era, said the Father and Son are one as “the sight of two eyes is one.”

True God from True God God the Son is not a half-god or inferior to God the Father. God the Son is fully and utterly God, distinct from the Father, yet not divided from the Father. The Arians said Jesus could be called god but not true God. In other words, they wrongly believed the Logos (the “Word,” a popular title for Jesus in early Christian literature) was the first creation of God.

Begotten, Not Made Some Christians today (Jehovah’s Witnesses) and in the past (Arians) have suggested God created Jesus like

God would an angel. The creed tells us that just as when a woman gives birth she does not create a child out of nothing, being begotten of God, the Son is not created out of nothing. Since the Son’s birth from the Father occurred before time was created, begotten refers to a permanent relationship as opposed to an event within time.

Consubstantial with the Father God the Father and God the Son are equally divine, united in substance and will. Father and Son share the same substance or essence of divinity. That is, the Father and Son both share the qualities and essential nature that make one in reality God. However, sharing the same substance does not mean they share identity of person.

Jesus is coming again to righteously judge the living and dead. His kingdom cannot be destroyed, despite all of humanity’s efforts. The creed says Jesus is coming; it does not say when or how, nor does it say to speculate on the date of His return.

I Believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life

The Bible tells us that through the Son, as Word of God, all things have been created.

The Holy Spirit is also called “Lord.” The Holy Spirit sustains our lives as Christians, illuminating us after the new birth. The original Creed of Nicaea simply ended with “We believe in the Holy Spirit.” The other additions were approved at the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. However, most scholars believe that the text of the full creed dates prior to this council, and that the bishops simply gave their approval to a local creed already in use. The reason these additions were included in the Nicene Creed is that some heretics of the 4th century denied the full divinity of the Holy Spirit.

For Us Men and for Our Salvation, He Came Down from Heaven

Who Proceeds from the Father and the Son

Jesus came from heaven, from a spiritual reality other than our own. While the creed says “down,” it is important to remember that our language is limited by time and spatiality. Heaven is not “up,” just as God is not a biologically male father.

The Son is said to be begotten, while the Spirit is said to proceed. Both words convey that the Son and Spirit are in special relationships to the Father, yet also fully divine. The phrase “and the Son” (in Latin, “filioque,”) was not in the original text of the creed, but was added in many Western Churches in the late 6th century. The addition likely developed over time as a tool against Arianism. There are theological and historical justifications for the addition or exclusion of the filioque. The Eastern Churches oppose the addition of the filioque, while many Western churches accept it. Actually, despite current division on the matter, the issue has been pretty much theologically resolved. The Catholic Church acknowledges the Father is the sole source within the Trinity, and admits that “proceeds from the Father and the Son” means “proceeds from the Father through the Son.”

Through Him All Things Were Made

and By the Holy Spirit, Was Incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man God the Son became incarnate in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. He was born of a virgin through the Holy Spirit.

God truly became human in Jesus Christ. Catholics believe that Jesus of Nazareth was and is a real human being, not simply a spirit or ghost. The incarnation of God in Christ is the ultimate act of love, because rather than sending an angel or good human to accomplish the redemption and restoration of creation, God Himself became human.

For Our Sake He Was Crucified Under Pontius Pilate; He Suffered Death and Was Buried Jesus died on a cross, suffered as humans do, truly died, and was laid in a tomb. Despite what some critics will level against it, the Nicene Creed is more than just metaphysical speculation, and includes important historical confessions.

Notice that in addition to being “true God from true God,” Jesus is fully human as well. The early Docetists, named from the Greek word “dokeo” (“to seem”), heretically believed Jesus only seemed to be human, but was not.

And Rose Again On the Third Day in Accordance With the Scriptures Jesus was resurrected bodily, as the Scriptures say. Just as Jesus truly died, He truly rose from the dead three days later. The bodily resurrection is the keystone of Christian doctrine and experience. However, Jesus was not just physically resuscitated (as was Lazarus), but rather His body was transformed at the Resurrection. Rejection of the bodily resurrection is a rejection of the foundation of Catholic Christianity. The word “again” is used because Jesus’ first “rising” was His birth. To “rise again” is be alive again.

He Ascended Into Heaven and Is Seated at the Right Hand of the Father In ancient science, heaven was thought to be situated above the sky dome. So in the Scriptures, Jesus is said to ascend to heaven. Whatever happened that day, Luke had to render the event into his own scientific paradigm, so he said Jesus “went up” to heaven.

He Will Come Again in Glory to Judge the Living and the Dead, and His Kingdom Will Have No End

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Online resources for your Year of Faith www.annusfidei.va The official Vatican site for the Year of Faith, this is a must-see for your own journey. Here you’ll find: – the full text of “Porta Fidei,” Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic letter announcing the Year of Faith – the full text of all the Vatican II documents, including the four constitutions: “Dei Verbum,” “Lumen Gentium,” “Sacrosanctum Concilium” and “Gaudium et Spes” – catechetical talks by Pope Benedict on the Apostles and saints, the Church Fathers, leading Catholic women, medieval theologians, and prayer

www.usccb.org At the U.S. bishops’ website, check out a video series on the Year of Faith, download Catholic prayers and catechetical resources for free, search the Catechism of the Catholic Church, get games for kids, check out resources for families, and more.

www.vcat.org A new website featuring “Video Catechism for Teens,” produced by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in association with Outside da Box. Besides the video series on the Nicene Creed, check out free resources geared toward youths and young adults.

Who With the Father and the Son Is Adored and Glorified The Holy Spirit is God as are the Father and the Son, and worthy of the same worship.

Who Has Spoken Through the Prophets The Spirit inspired the prophets of old and inspires the Church today.

I Believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church The creed requires belief in the Catholic (universal) Church, whose origins go back to the Apostles themselves. The Church is “holy” on account of Christ’s holiness and grace, and not because its members or leaders are perfect. In fact, at times throughout history, the Church has remained holy in spite of its members.

I Confess One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins Catholics believe that sacramentally, through the waters of baptism, God forgives us of our sins, and we are born again. This belief is universally acknowledged in early Christian writings. If someone has been validly baptized in the name of the Trinity, re-baptism is unnecessary.

And I Look forward to the Resurrection of the Dead, and the Life of the World to Come. Amen.

Christians always hope for the end of this fractured system, when the universe is fully reconciled to God in Christ Jesus. The Nicene Creed affirms both the existence of a soul-filled heaven and the later resurrection of the dead when soul meets glorified body.

— Source: “The Nicene Creed: Symbol of the Catholic Faith,” by David Bennett, co-editor of the website Ancient and Future Catholics, online at www.ancient-future.net

The Nicene Creed: Prayer for the Year of Faith The Vatican has issued special prayer cards for the Year of Faith featuring the Nicene Creed on one side and the image of Christ Pantocrator on the other.

The Nicene Creed is the ultimate prayer of our Catholic Christian faith, and so it is the prayer for this Year of Faith: “It is by believing with the heart that you are justified, and by making the declaration with your lips that you are saved. May the Year of Faith lead all believers to learn by heart the Creed and to say it every day as a prayer, so that the breathing agrees with the faith,” the Vatican’s Year of Faith website states.

To obtain copies of this prayer card, contact the Libreria Editrice Vaticana at segreteria.lev@lev.va.

Year of Faith indulgence offered Catholics who participate in events connected with the Year of Faith can receive a plenary, or full, indulgence, Pope Benedict XVI has announced. An indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment a person is due for sins that have been forgiven.

At www.catholicnewsherald.com/ourfaith: Details on obtaining the indulgence.

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 OUR PARISHES

Diocesan calendar of events ARDEN St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road

Bishop Peter J. Jugis Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events over the next two weeks:

— Women’s Advent Reflection, “The Incarnation of Christ: A Better Understanding of the Word Made Flesh”: Saturday, Dec. 8, with 9 a.m. Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception followed by brunch and a presentation by Father Adrian Porras, pastor. All women, including high school age, are welcome. RSVP by Dec. 4 to Marcia Torres at 828-697-1235 or johnandmarciatorres@yahoo.com.

BELMONT

Nov. 27 – 10 a.m.

Diocesan Foundation Board Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

BELMONT ABBEY BASIlicA, 100 Belmont-Mount Holly Road — The Belmont Abbey Chorus and Instrumental Students present “The Annual Holiday Concert”: Friday, Nov. 30, at 8 p.m. Free admission. For details, contact Karen Hite Jacob at 704-461-6813 or karenjacob@bac.edu.

Nov. 30 – 6:30 p.m.

CSS Vineyard of Hope Carmel Country Club, Charlotte

QUEEN OF THE aPOSTLES CHURCH, 503 N. MAIN st.

Dec. 2 – 5 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. James Church, Concord

— “Honoring Life: Capital Punishment”: Wednesday, Nov. 28, potluck supper at 6:30 p.m., program beginning at 7 p.m. with Scott Bass, executive director of Murder Victims, families and Reconciliation (www.MVFR. org). Discussion will focus on the Church’s stand to abolish the death penalty and include the stories of family members of victims of both homicide and executions. Contacts: George Burazer, 704-820-3163 or georgeburazer@gmail.com; and Kelly Munsee, 704825-9600 or qoaformation@aol.com.

Dec. 6 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Mark Church, Huntersville

CHARLOTTE Our lady of guadalupe church, 6212 Tuckaseegee Road — Feast for Our Lady of Guadalupe: 7- 11 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. Bojangles’ Coliseum. Free admission. For details, contact Aide Garcia at 704-391-3732.

— Celebración en honor a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: Martes, 11 de Diciembre, de 7-11 p.m. En el Coliseo de Bojangles.’ La entrada es gratuita. Para más información llamar a Aide Garcia, 704-391-3732.

St. Ann church, 3335 Park Road — Advent Evening Reflection: Charlotte Catholic Women’s Group invites everyone to this Advent reflection Wednesday, Nov. 28. Holy Hour at 5 p.m. and Mass at 6 p.m., followed by a light dinner and the reflection “Mary, Model of True Feminism” by Father Timothy Reid, pastor. Reservations requested.

Contact Victoria Borin at Vborin@carolina.rr.com or go to www.charlottecatholicwomensgroup.org.

Correction

ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, 8451 IDLEWILD ROAD

The Nov. 9 headline “Te Deum Foundation celebrates outdoor Mass” was incorrect.

The Te Deum Foundation conducted a prayer service and cross veneration on land near Mooresboro where it hopes to build a seminary. We regret the error.

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor

November 23, 2012 Volume 21 • Number 28

1123 S. Church St. Charlotte, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

704-370-3333 PUBLISHER: The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte

— First Annual Advent Celebration: Sunday, Dec. 2, after 9:30 and 11 a.m. Masses. Reserve your space by Monday, Nov. 26. For details or to sign up, contact Meridith Paul, 704-535-4197.

ST. MATTHEW church, 8015 BALLANTYNE COMMONS Pkwy.

National Night of Prayer for Life set for Dec. 8-9 CHARLOTTE — This year marks the 23rd annual Night of Prayer for Life, linking the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, with the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego on Dec. 9, 1531.

The National Night of Prayer for Life bridges these two feasts to pray for the sanctity of life. It is a pro-life prayer service consisting of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the rosary, silent prayers and hymns. Parishes participating include: n Holy Angels, Mt. Airy: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 8 n Holy Cross, Kernersville: 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Dec. 8-9 n Holy Family, Clemmons: Adoration 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 8 n Holy Spirit, Denver: 6-7 p.m. Dec. 5 n Our Lady of the Assumption, Charlotte: Contact parish office at 704-535-9965 n Our Lady of Guadalupe, Charlotte: 8 p.m.-6 a.m. Dec. 8-9 n Our Lady of the Highways, Thomasville: 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 7-8 n Sacred Heart, Salisbury: 7-8 p.m. Dec. 8 n St. Ann, Charlotte: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 8

(This list is as of press time Nov. 19. Please check with your local parish to confirm dates and times.) For inquiries, contact Maggi Nadol, diocesan Respect Life program director, at mnadol@charlottediocese.org. Go to www.nationalnightofprayerforlife.org for more and to download prayers written in both English and Spanish.

st. patrick cathedral, 1621 dilworth road east — “Wear A Veil Day”: 8 a.m. Mass, Saturday, Dec. 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Women and girls are encouraged to participate in a tradition that dates back to the Church’s beginnings, imitating Our Lady by wearing a veil, scarf or head covering to Mass.

Parishioners around the diocese are invited to adopt this tradition in their own parishes during daily and Sunday Masses starting Dec. 8. For details, go to www.ourladyoftheveil.org.

St. Peter Church, 507 South tryon st.

— Annual diocesan “Remembering Our Children” Mass: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, for parents who have lost a child at any age for any reason, such as miscarriage, accident or illness. Reception to follow. Sponsored by the Diocese of Charlotte Respect Life Program and the Diocese of Charleston-Family Life Office. For details, contact Maggi Nadol at 704-370-3229 or mnadol@ charlottediocese.org.

St. Thomas Aquinas church, 1400 Suther Road — Bilingual Mass celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12, followed by a reception in the event hall. For details, contact Aracely Sanchez, 704-796-7903 or aracely.carolinanorte@ hotmail.com.

— Misa bilingüe en honor a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: Miercoles, 12 de Diciembre a las 7 p.m. Seguido por una recepción en el salon de eventos. Para más información comunicarse con Aracely Sanchez, 704796-7903 o aracely.carolinanorte@hotmail.com.

— “Santa’s Craft Fair”: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Sponsored by St. Matthew Women’s Guild. Free admission. All are welcome.

EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org SENIOR REPORTER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org Online reporter: Kimberly Bender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Erika Robinson 704-370-3333, catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

n St. Gabriel, Charlotte: Perpetual Adoration n St. John Baptist de La Salle, North Wilkesboro: 7-9 p.m. Dec. 8 (Hispanic community) n St. James, Concord: 9-11 p.m. Dec. 8 n St. Leo the Great, Winston-Salem: 7-11 p.m. Dec. 8 n St. Margaret of Scotland, Maggie Valley: Mass at 4 p.m. Dec. 8, followed by a Holy Hour n St. Pius X, Greensboro: 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Dec. 8-9 n St. Thomas Aquinas, Charlotte: 6:30-9 p.m. Dec. 8

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GREENSBORO ST. PIUS X Church, 2210 North elm st.

— Ministry of Mothers Sharing (M.O.M.S.) and Volare Women Annual Advent Retreat: 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 6, in the Kloster Center. RSVP to Lisa Michaels at lmichaels@triad.rr.com.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, 6828 Old Reid Road — All women invited to join the Charlotte Catholic Women’s Group for Advent Coffee and Reflection: 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 3. For details, contact Anita Di Pietro at 704-543-0314 or visit www. charlottecatholicwomensgroup.org.

HIGH POINT IMMACULATE HEART OF Mary CHURCH, 4145 JOHNSON ST. — Pro-Life Rosary Prayer Service: to pray for an end to abortion. 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at 901 North Main St. and Sunset Drive, High Point. Parking available. For details, contact Jim Hoying, 336-882-9593, or Paul Klosterman, 336-848-6835.

THOMASVILLE oUR LADY OF THE HIGHWAYS CHURCH, 943 bALL PARK ROAD — Christmas bazaar and spaghetti supper: 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. All are welcome. For details, contact Linda Dillon at 336-239-4331.

Is your parish or school hosting a free event open to the public? Deadline for all submissions is 10 days prior to desired publication date. Submit in writing to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org.

contact Advertising Manager Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 or keeagan@charlottediocese.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

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November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

CHARLOTTE — Parishioners across the diocese have been raising money and collecting items to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy along the East Coast.

A special second collection was encouraged at all parishes earlier this month, and multiple parishes and schools have held their own donation drives – including St. Mark School in Huntersville (pictured above), which raised more than $3,000 and delivered more than 100 boxes of items to St. Mary Church in Middletown, N.J., last week.

Consider making a donation to Catholic Charities USA to support the relief effort: online at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org, by calling toll-free 800-919-9338, or by mail to P.O. Box 17066, Baltimore, MD 21297-1066.

Local ‘Extreme Makeover’ filmed last year to air Dec. 10 LINCOLNTON — A Catholic builder, Belmont Abbey College students and countless other volunteers will finally get the chance to see themselves on TV as the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” episode filmed last winter will air Dec. 10.

The Friday family of Lincolnton was given the gift of a new home last December, as Ty Pennington and crew demolished the family’s old home and built a new one in only a week, thanks in part to many Catholic volunteers from this area.

The two-hour Christmas-themed episode will air Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. on ABC, according to a press release from the network.

The Fridays have been foster parents to more than 30 children, including adopting a family of five siblings. Frank Hereda, a parishioner in the Diocese of Charlotte and co-owner of Bellamy Homes, surprised the Fridays on Dec. 11, 2011, along with the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” gang.

Read more about the project at www.catholicnewsherald.com.

Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

Feeding others with a grateful heart: OLC volunteers share Thanksgiving meal with Lifespan CHARLOTTE — Parishioners of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte cooked a huge Thanksgiving meal Nov. 16 for clients of Lifespan, which serves children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in Charlotte and other locations throughout North Carolina. The annual tradition is a service project of the Ladies Rosary Society, one of OLC’s most active ministries.

This year 14 volunteers from the parish fed more than 150 Lifespan clients at LifeSpan’s Center City Creative Campus and their Creative Campus-West. Clients and staff, their

families and volunteers enjoyed baked and fried turkey, stuffing, rice, green beans, cranberry sauce, and of course, lots of delicious desserts. “This is Our Lady of Consolation’s way of giving thanks,” said Shirley Fowler, an organizer of the dinner who has devoted the past 24 years to caring for the people served by Lifespan. “It’s truly an honor” to serve these special people and their families, she said.

For more about how you can help support Lifespan, go online to www.lifespanservices.org.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Never count out a Benedictine monk and a Catholic college community when they are resisting an assault on their religious freedom.

A lawsuit by Belmont Abbey College challenging the constitutionality of part of the Affordable Care Act – which requires that nearly all employers must provide free contraception and sterilization services in their health insurance plans despite their moral objections – is moving forward in a federal appeals court after a lower court had dismissed the case earlier.

The U.S. Court of Appeal for the District of Columbia is expediting the Benedictine liberal arts college’s case, scheduling it to be heard Dec. 14.

This is the first time a federal appeals court will consider the HHS mandate, according to a statement from the college’s legal team.

Over the past several weeks, dozens of religious institutions have lined up to support the lawsuit – a sign of “momentum building,” said Dr. William Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College.

Belmont Abbey College’s lawsuit was the first to be filed after the Department of Health and Human Services issued in 2011 what’s

known simply as the “HHS mandate.” Now approximately 30 similar lawsuits are working their way through the federal courts on behalf of more than 50 Catholic dioceses, religious colleges, charity agencies and businesses – including Hobby Lobby, EWTN, and the archdioceses of Washington, New York, Atlanta and Miami.

In July the college’s case was dismissed on technical grounds by the original trial court, which said the college could not show it had been harmed yet by the contraception mandate, and their case had been filed prematurely. The trial court did not consider the merits of the case.

The HHS mandate will not take effect until August 2013, but after it does, any employer who does not comply will face fines of $100 per employee per day.

After the unsuccessful lower court ruling, the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey and their college leaders vowed to continue their fight.

In September, the U.S. Court of Appeal in Washington, D.C., agreed to hear the case.

Their case was combined in September with a similar case filed by Wheaton College, a Christian liberal arts college in Illinois.

Both colleges are being represented by the

d.

Saturday, Dec. 8, is a holy day of obligation for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the patron feast day of the United States.

That means all Catholics must attend Mass that day. This feast commemorates the fact that Mary was born without the stain of original sin – “full of grace” – because from the beginning God created her as the perfect living tabernacle for Our Savior. To learn more about Mary’s role in salvation, read the Catechism of the Catholic Church 487-493. (Attending the Sunday vigil Mass on Saturday afternoon does not satisfy the requirement to attend the feast day Mass.

The readings at the feast day Mass are different than for Sunday Mass.)

Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

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Federal appeals court to hear Belmont Abbey’s HHS lawsuit

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5

FUTURE SITE OF ST. MATTHEW SOUTH

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St. Matthew Church plans to expand with Waxhaw campus CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Church is purchasing more than 33 acres in Waxhaw to develop for the “future needs of the parish.”

St. Matthew announced the purchase Nov. 7 in a news alert emailed to parishioners that says they have been working quietly on behalf of the Diocese of Charlotte to buy 33.67 acres.

The property, purchased by Food Lion in 2009 for $3 million, is located at the corner of WaxhawMarvin Road and Kensington Drive. The site is about 10 miles from the south Charlotte church campus.

The diocese is in the process of buying the land to create a satellite campus of St. Matthew, dubbed “St. Matthew South,” said Monsignor John J. McSweeney, pastor of St. Matthew Church. It would be “purely an extension of St. Matthew Church,” he said.

The sale price is not being disclosed.

With more than 9,000 families, St. Matthew is the largest parish in the diocese and estimated to be one of the largest parishes in the United States.

There are about 2,600 registered families St. Matthew parishioners living near the land the church is purchasing.

St. Matthew’s 2,000-seat church is consistently packed for Masses, with additional Masses held in the parish gym and a nearby Episcopalian church to accommodate all the parishioners.

After the land deal is final, parish leaders will meet with land planners on how to best develop the property for future growth, Monsignor McSweeney said.

The hope is to build on the property in the next five to 10 years.

— Kimberly Bender, online reporter

6

catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 OUR PARISHES

Mass for deceased children set for Nov. 30 CHARLOTTE — “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) The death of a child is always tragic – no matter at what age, for what reason, or how long ago it occurred. The Diocese of Charlotte and the Diocese of Charleston work together to provide an opportunity for parents to mourn, to celebrate and to pray for the memory of their child.

For the past two years, the dioceses have celebrated a “Remembering Our Children” memorial Mass for those who have been affected by the death of a child. This year, the Mass will be celebrated Nov. 30 at St. Peter Church in Charlotte. The Mass will begin at 7 p.m.

Welcoming anyone who has endured the death of a child – because of illness, accident, miscarriage or reasons known only to God – this Mass will offer time for prayer, reflection and fellowship. People are encouraged to bring pictures of their children, and there will be a book of remembrance to sign. For details, call 704-370-3229.

— Megan Barnes, intern

Room at the Inn of the Triad holds fundraiser banquet ‘When our Lord shows up, He shows up big…’

Georgianna Penn Correspondent

GREENSBORO — Supporters filled the ballroom at the Embassy Suites in Greensboro Nov. 8 for the 13th annual Room at the Inn of the Triad fundraising banquet, which featured a keynote address by “October Baby” actress Shari Rigby.

Rigby’s work in the pro-life movie, about a Learn more girl who goes on the search for her Contact Room at birth mother after the Inn of the Triad learning she is the to support its adopted survivor efforts: 336-996of an attempted 3788 or www. abortion, was the roominn.org. role of a lifetime, Rigby told the audience. Playing the birth mother was not a big role, but “when our Lord shows up, He shows up big,” she said.

Rigby went on to explain that when God gives us something we don’t understand, it could be “a life saver, a life changer.” She said she loves how God weaves everything together for the good. “He doesn’t just throw us in, He prepares us… Timing is all God’s timing.”

A movie about God’s graceful timing and forgiveness, ironically, “October Baby” was a parallel of Rigby’s life 20 years ago. It was God’s way of giving her a second chance from her own wounded past.

This is exactly what God does at Room at the Inn of the Triad through its advocates, volunteers and clients, she said.

During the banquet, a video was shown of clients of Room at the Inn sharing their emotional stories. One client said that when her

son was born, he saved her life – that is, her son gave her a reason to really live and make better choices. He was her life saver, her life changer.

Another client told of how a pro-life advocate spoke with her at an abortion clinic and inspired her to choose life and Room at the Inn as her safe haven instead.

Room at the Inn of the Triad provides women with an alternative to abortion, giving them the chance to say yes to life. Not only do they receive help with health care throughout their pregnancy and birth, but the women can also take advantage of job training and life skills education to help put themselves and their babies on a positive path forward. Room at the Inn of the Triad even provides emergency shelter services for prospective clients as they await admission into the maternity home programs.

This year, Room at the Inn celebrated the birth of 21 new babies, 90 percent of whom were born with a healthy birth weight of 5.5 pounds or greater, and 100 percent of whom were born drug free, Room at the Inn officials reported.

In addition, five women in their college-based program attended college full-time, and 2,661 nights of shelter were provided to women attending college and their children. And through the maternity home and health care programs, 6,498 nights of shelter were provided to pregnant or parenting women and their children.

Many other programs are available through Room at the Inn of the Triad. The Dixon Self Sufficiency Program, the Pratt Spiritual and Character Development program, and child development with the Nurturing Center of Greensboro are just a few.

Major sponsors for this year’s event included St. Leo Church in Winston-Salem, St. Pius X Church in Greensboro and St. Joseph Church in

Georgianna Penn | Catholic News Herald

Actress Shari Rigby and her personal assistant, Jodi Breneman, are pictured during Room at the Inn of the Triad’s annual banquet Nov. 8.

Asheboro.

“In your supporting of this maternity home, you may be entertaining an angel,” Rigby remarked to the group. “When God ordains it, He gives us everything necessary.” And God has truly ordained Room at the Inn of the Triad.

“When our Lord shows up, He shows up big.”

EWTN’s Father Mitch Pacwa inspires Catholics at St. Thomas Aquinas SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

photo provided by mary annette morales

Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa speaks at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte during the Eucharistic Miracles of the World Exhibit and mission Nov. 9-11.

CHARLOTTE — Speaking enthusiastically about the Catholic Church and the source and summit of our faith, the Holy Eucharist, comes easy to Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa. His weekly program “Threshold of Hope” on the Eternal Word Television Network uplifts and educates Catholics on the truths of the faith.

Father Pacwa spoke candidly to hundreds of Learn more Catholics Nov. 9-11 at St. For details about Thomas Aquinas Church the Eucharistic in north Charlotte during Miracles of the a three-day Eucharistic World exhibit, Miracles of the World go to www.

Exhibit and mission. therealpresence.

During his talks org/eucharst/ and homilies at daily mir/engl_mir.

Mass, he spoke on htm. the importance of the Holy Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration.

He explained the history of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the legacy of Vatican II and how Catholics should properly worship God in the Mass.

Valerie Gebhardt, parish secretary at St. Thomas Church, organized the event and attended each of Father Pacwa’s presentations.

“This past weekend was truly a beautiful and Holy Spirit-inspired event. Father Pacwa was wonderful!”

Gebhardt said.

She enjoyed his explanations of Old Testament

sacrifices and the New Testament sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God. “Father Mitch also explained what other Christian denominations believe so as to give more awareness to the people of how to know and defend our own Catholic faith. He spoke of the history of certain heresies in the Church and related them to our times.

He specifically mentioned the heresy of relativism.”

Father Pacwa’s advice to Catholics? “We have to know our faith!”

During the course of the weekend, Father Pacwa also touched on current topics concerning Catholics today, especially in the U.S., in wake of the recent presidential elections and the looming HHS mandate.

“When questions were posed to him about the election and the threat of our religious freedom, he mentioned that we have to defend our faith without compromise,” Gebhardt explained.

Father Pacwa explained that our bishops are the leading men like in an army, but that they need us to back them up and help them to be a “voice” for our religious freedom.

“We as Catholics and the Catholic bishops are not going to compromise our faith or bow to any government mandate that goes against our beliefs, and, if necessary, Catholic schools, universities and hospitals will close down rather than compromise our faith,” Father Pacwa said.

Besides Father Pacwa’s talks, the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit itself was a huge draw.

“The Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit hall was, in a word, beautiful!” Gebhardt said. “The hall (at St. Thomas Church) was filled with over 100 stories of Eucharistic miracles over the centuries. There were so many that I didn’t even know about.”

November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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Former ‘Phantom’ puts faith at the center of his life, musical career SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — When Franc D’Ambrosio was born into an Italian family in the Bronx 50 years ago, certain things were a given. He was named after his male ancestors before him. He was raised in the Catholic faith and served the Church as an altar boy.

But as he grew and matured and developed his musical career, he experienced a newfound wonder: a deep love of his Catholic faith.

“My Christianity and my Catholicism is truly the center of my life,” D’Ambrosio says.

“Growing up, my family was Catholic but I felt more culturally Catholic.

About five years ago I decided I needed to learn more about my faith, to D’Ambrosio explore what Catholicism is all about. I was always spiritual, I always believed in God. I always prayed, but I didn’t know a lot about Catholicism.”

So he read the Gospels over and over. He studied the traditions of the Mass.

“I came to understand what the faith is – what is cultural, what is traditional, and what is the Word and what is the inspired Word. It wasn’t until I decided that going to church maybe once a week wasn’t enough, to really embrace and understand and be participating in my faith,” he explains.

D’Ambrosio is known as the longest running “Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway and has had an illustrious career since he discovered his passion for singing in his late teens.

“Singing and performing are what I

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In Brief Learn more about capital punishment BELMONT — Everyone is invited to Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont to learn more about Church teaching on capital punishment and hear stories from family members of victims of both homicide and executions. Scott Bass, executive director of Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation (www.MVFR.org), will present a free program on “Honoring Life: Capital Punishment” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, in the parish family center. A potluck supper will start at 6:30 p.m. Contact George Burazer (704-820-3163, georgeburazer@gmail.com) or Kelly Munsee (704-825-9600, qoaformation@ aol.com).

— George Burazer

Take a trip to the Holy Land Join Father Lucas Rossi and Father Christopher Roux on a grace-filled pilgrimage to the Holy Land March 1-9, 2013. Walk in the footsteps of Jesus and His disciples in visiting many of the places we read about in Sacred Scripture. There are still seats left; a deposit of $1,600 should be made before Dec. 19 to hold

love to do. I view it on many levels as my mission. Everything that I do, all the decisions that I make are all filtered through my Christianity.”

“I’m almost always able to get to daily Mass. My relationship with God doesn’t just only happen one day a week. It’s an

See Franc D’Ambrosio in Christmas concert Franc D’Ambrosio will perform “Christmas in New York” at St. John Neumann Church in southeast Charlotte at 7 p.m. Nov. 25. He will also travel to Asheville and perform at St. Eugene Church at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26. Concert goers will enjoy the wide variety of Christmas music from popular Broadway shows and musicals, as well as classic Christmas carols and songs of the season. For Charlotte ticket information, call 704-535-4197 or email Meredith@4sjn.org. For tickets to the Asheville performance, call 828-254-5193.

For more information about Franc D’Ambrosio, go to www.francdambrosio.com.

Is your parish or organization looking for a guest speaker during this Year of Faith?

Invite us to offer Retreats and Presentations on the writings of St. Francis & St. Clare of Assisi.

336-403-8352

www.franciscanpassages.org Franciscan Passages is a 501©3 non-profit based in Lexington, NC

everyday event,” he says. He also spends time in Adoration at his home parish of Notre Dame in New York City.

“I am always happy to talk about my experience,” he says. And he encourages others to do the same. “Sometimes inviting others to go to Mass is all it takes.”

His advice to people: “Always put God first in your life.”

your seat (after that date there may still be seats but the fares may increase). Go to www. stpatricks.org to find a brochure and application for the trip, or drop by St. Patrick Cathedral (Charlotte), St. Benedict the Moor Church (Winston-Salem) or Good Shepherd Mission (King) to pick one up.

Father Lawlor attends Pontifical Mission Societies meeting WASHINGTON, D.C. — Father Mark Lawlor, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte, recently returned from a meeting of the National Board of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Washington, D.C., of which he is a member. Above,C he is pictured with M Archbishop Savio Y Hon Tai-Fai, S.B.D., following Mass at CM the Basilica of the National Shrine of MY the Immaculate Conception in CY Washington, D.C.CMY Nov. 11. Archbishop Hon, the secretary of the Vatican CongregationK for the Evangelization of Peoples, addressed and met with the Pontifical Mission Societies’s National Board. Archbishop Hon, originally from Hong Kong, was responsible for the translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church into Chinese.

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 OUR PARISHES

Philosopher discusses morality of Live Action’s methods Megan Barnes Intern

BELMONT — “Why” is such a simple word. But place a question mark with it, and the simplicity disappears: Why? Dr. Peter Kreeft used this word to provoke deep moral, ethical and religious topics during his talk “To Whom Do We Owe the Truth? Can Lying be Employed in the Service of Good?” at Belmont Abbey College Nov. 10.

A professor of philosophy at Boston College since 1965, Kreeft’s experience in Christian morality and Kreeft ethics is extensive. He has published more than 72 books and taught more than 20 different college courses. Addressing an audience of about 200 Belmont Abbey College students,

faculty and guests, Kreeft posed a series of questions about the morality of Live Action’s controversial exposure of Planned Parenthood practices: Do the ends ever justify the means? Is it OK to lie if it would save someone’s life?

Live Action, founded in 2003 by then 15-year-old Lila Rose, conducts undercover investigations and secretly films inside Planned Parenthood abortion facilities.

It aims to shed light on the abortion provider’s deceptive or illegal practices, but its “sting operation” methods have been criticized for being too aggressive and frequently dishonest.

Kreeft presented both sides of the debate: On the one hand, what Live Action does is wrong because it involves deceit (masquerading as women seeking abortion). On the other hand, what Live Action does is right because it exposes a truth about the evil practice of abortion.

Pro-life advocates, moralists and philosophers have come down on both sides, Kreeft noted.

“But she lied, didn’t she? And lying is wrong, isn’t it? Even a perfectly good end cannot justify an intrinsically evil means.

How can I approve the operation without betraying the commandment against lying, without betraying moral absolutism? This is a rather exciting question,” Kreeft said.

Kreeft used analogies to defend Live Action. What if a homicidal maniac comes into your classroom brandishing a weapon, intent on killing someone? What if he tells you to kill one person for him, or he will kill everyone in the class? Should one student be murdered to save the others?

No, Kreeft insisted. Why? Murder is intrinsically wrong. Even a very good end never justifies an evil means.

“I think many Americans today would disagree with that position. Even many Christian Americans would disagree with that position. But I specify my oldfashioned absolutist position to be very clear that my approval, that my defense of Lila Rose and Live Action, does not stem from any relaxation of moral absolutism,” he said.

But what about lying to protect someone?

Were the Dutch wrong when they lied to protect the hiding Jews from the Nazis?

What about military spies seeking out nuclear bombs? Police sting operations to get drug dealers off the streets? Even in the Bible, Judith lied to the Assyrians to save the Jews from slaughter and captivity, Kreeft noted.

“If you say this is not a lie, I will agree with you,” he continued. “Lila Rose did not lie. If you say this is a lie, but a good one, because Planned Parenthood had no right to the truth due to their breaking of the law, I will agree with you. If you say this was not a lie because it was not bearing false witness against your neighbor, I will agree with you.

Planned Parenthood is neither a lie, not did Lila Rose bear false witness.”

Then Kreeft asked, does the end ever justify the means? In general, yes. If there was no end, there would be no means, he said. But he insisted that nothing can ever justify a universally, unexceptionally, absolutely, intrinsically immoral means.

Kreeft’s bottom line was honest, however.

He said he was not sure how to frame a solid philosophical defense of Live Action’s controversial methods, but using “innate moral intuition” he thinks they are justified.

“But maybe I am wrong. As I said, our innate moral intuition is not infallible. And I deeply respect those who disagree with me about it,” he concluded.

SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald

National Catholic Reporter senior correspondent John Allen (left) speaks on his latest book, “The Future Church,” to clergy and laity from the Diocese of Charlotte on Nov. 12 at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.

American Catholics must fight for religious freedom, break ‘tribalism’ trend SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — He’s traveled the globe reporting on all things Catholic – interviewing cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and laity – to communicate the best and the worst of what happens in the Church around the world.

John Allen, senior correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter and wellknown Vatican observer, shared what he sees as the trends in Catholicism and also what the biggest threats to Catholics in America are in the 21st century as he spoke to a crowd of more than 200 diocesan clergy and employees Nov. 12 at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.

The good news: “The dominant Catholic story is one of phenomenal growth, not decline,” Allen explained.

“We’re living in the biggest period of growth in history!”

He illustrated how the Church is in a period of “phenomenal growth” in the southern hemisphere, pointing out the rise in what he calls “the world Church,” especially in places like Brazil and Uganda.

“One hundred years ago, only 25 percent of Catholics lived in the southern hemisphere,” he said. “In 2000, 65 percent lived there…It is anticipated that by the year 2050, three-quarters of all Catholics will live there.”

So where do American Catholics fit in?

Of the 1.2 billion Catholics in the world presently, U.S. Catholics make up 6 percent, at 65 million.

Allen noted that one of the current trends in Catholicism is “evangelical Catholicism.” We are seeing it today in a public revival of Catholic identity, he said, as people are more willing to proclaim their faith publicly.

And Catholics are viewing their faith more now as a matter of personal commitment and conscious choice – not just something that they were born into.

“Some of you may remember what it felt like to grow up in a ‘ghetto Catholicism’ in America. If you lived in one of these classic Catholic neighborhoods, you didn’t need anybody to tell you what liturgical season it was because you knew it by walking down the

street,” Allen said.

“You also know that’s not the world we’re living in anymore.”

He explained that the move to revive Catholic identity is a carefully adopted strategy by the clergy and lay leadership of the Church to inoculate the faithful against being seduced and assimilated into the secular, relativistic culture in which we find ourselves.

Allen asserted that the effort to revive the strong, unapologetic sense of traditional Catholic identity is the strongest trend in the Church today.

To illustrate this point, Allen shared the response of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, when in 2007 he was asked what was the main objective of Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate: “To recover authentic Christian identity in contrast with widespread secularism.”

“This isn’t just an effort from the top down,” Allen observed.

Allen has noticed and has researched a bottom-up trend of evangelization among young “millenials” – also referred to as “JP II Catholics” after the pope who encouraged their faith with events such as World Youth Day. These young Catholics are fervent and active in their faith, often more so than their parents.

Allen cited a survey of young men and women who entered religious life which showed that “millenials” shared characteristics such as fidelity to the Church and selected their religious order because of its fidelity to the Church.

They were also more likely to wear a religious habit, spend time in Eucharistic Adoration and defer more often to the authority of the Church.

Allen also addressed another trend he has observed since the release of his book: the fight for religious freedom.

“The defense of religious freedom is destined to be the premier social and political concern of the 21st century,” he emphasized.

Allen cited the U.S. bishops’ move to set up an ad hoc committee on religious freedom, and Baltimore Archbishop William Lori’s outspokenness as its chairman.

JOURNALIST, SEE page 21

November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com

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of having a living Catholic faith. Stefanick is a syndicated columnist and a regular in Catholic radio and TV. He has written or co-authored, “Do I Have to Go?� (about the Mass),“Raising Pure Teens� and “Absolute Relativism.� — Tim Flynn

Join the March for Life in D.C. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the U.S., and parishes across the diocese are arranging buses and caravans to attend the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., Jan. 24-25, 2013, to testify against the brutality of abortion and speak up for the rights of all women and their unborn children. Parishes which are organizing buses include: St. Barnabas in Arden, St. Vincent de Paul in Charlotte, St. Michael in Gastonia, and St. Mark in Huntersville. Contact each parish office for details. Seats are usually limited, so make your reservations as soon as possible.

Pennybyrn golf tournament fund raiser deemed a success HIGH POINT — Pennybyrn at Maryfield’s second-annual golf tournament raised $18,000 for Maryfield Resident Care. Proceeds from the Oct. 5 tournament, held at the Jamestown Park Golf Course in Jamestown, assist residents in Maryfield Healthcare households who have exhausted their financial resources. The tournament was organized entirely by Pennybyrn at Maryfield employees. Money raised by the event included participant and resident donations along with corporate sponsorships. — Pamela Olson

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Discernment retreat held ANN ARBOR, Mich. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Five young women from the Diocese of Charlotte recently joined more than 160 others at a discernment retreat with the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Mich., one of three retreats the community offers each year.

Pictured are: Abigail Beck, Bethany Janos, Sister Joseph Andrew, OP, Father Aaron Kuhn (Diocese of St. Cloud, Minn.), Father John Eckert of St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon, Kelly Poehailos, Bonnie Aberle and Grace Bruno. The communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next discernment retreat will be Feb. 23-24, 2013. Learn more online at www. sistersofmary.org.

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The foursome joined the other participants at the Saturday Vigil Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point.

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CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Atlanta, Georgia

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Al Tinson

Christ the King Catholic School (www.christking.org), which has provided quality Catholic education in the Buckhead area of Atlanta for 75 years, seeks a dynamic and visionary Principal

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Father John Eckert

Challenge grant issued for cathedral stair renovation

to lead this K-8 community in the areas of academics, faith, and child development. A 2007 U. S.

CHARLOTTE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A local resident is offering a matching grant of up to $35,000 to help fund the Bishop Curlin Commemorative Stair project at St. Patrick Cathedral. For every $2 raised by Dec. 31, the anonymous donor will add $1.

The Bishop Curlin Commemorative Stair project will completely redesign the stairway and entrance to the cathedral, making the entrance safer and more attractive. The entrance will feature various Catholic symbols and Celtic design details, as well as the diocesan shield and the coats of arms of its four bishops.

Donors can purchase engraved bricks to be used in the stair project for $100 each.

You can make a donation to the brick program or by making a direct donation to the St. Patrick Cathedral Stair renovation project.

Go online to www.stpatricks.org or call the parish office at 704-334-2283 for details.

Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. To

Chris Stefanick speaks at St. Mark Parish HUNTERSVILLE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Chris Stefanick, a nationally-known Catholic writer and speaker, recently visited with teens and their parents at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. Members of St. ThĂŠrèse Church also attended the program, in which Stefanick spoke about the importance

Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, Christ the King, with a dedicated professional staff, enrolls over 560 students. It enjoys dual accreditation by the Southern access the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s profile, please visit http://www.christking.org/document/cks-overview-oct2012/117169. The successful candidate will be an experienced Catholic elementary school instructional leader and possess superior communication and collaboration skills. An applicant must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church. Applicants must possess a

Greensboro Knights win award for excellence

Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree in an education field and demonstrate a minimum of five years of successful leadership in a Catholic school. A collaborative leadership style, focusing on uniting school,

GREENSBORO â&#x20AC;&#x201D; St. Pius X Knights of Columbus Council 11101 in Greensboro recently earned the distinction of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Double Starâ&#x20AC;? council for the 2011-2012 fraternal year. The award recognizes overall excellence in the areas of membership recruitment and retention, insurance program promotion and sponsorship of service-oriented activities. The award was presented by N.C. State Secretary Jack Murray at a special ceremony Sept. 30 at St. Pius X Church. Pictured above are (from left): Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, pastor of St. Pius X Church; Ron VanBuren, Grand Knight 2012-2013; Walter Kulla, Grand Knight 2011-2012; and Murray. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; John Russell We welcome your parishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s news! Please email news items and photos to Editor Patricia L. Guilfoyle at plguilfoyle@ charlottediocese.org.

family, and faith, along with a knowledge of current pedagogy and best practices are prerequisites for the successful candidate.

Position is available July 1, 2013. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Qualified candidates should submit electronically (1) letter of introduction; (2) resume; and, (3) names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references to: Diane Starkovich, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools, Archdiocese of Atlanta, 2401 Lake Park Drive S.E., Smyrna, GA 30080-8862 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; preferred delivery via email:DStarkovich@archatl.com.

Review of applications begins immediately and will close December 7, 2012.

9

10

catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 FROM THE COVER

Kent Lewis sorts donations and stocks the shelves Monday at the Catholic Social Services food pantry in Charlotte.

Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

Help fill the shelves Megan Barnes Intern

“

For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat.” At this time of year, these words from the Gospel of Matthew resonate throughout the Catholic community. Charitable giving goes hand in hand with our Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas spirit.

It is a wonderful sentiment, but when it comes to putting it into practice, many people find themselves wondering where exactly they can help. Also looking for help during this time are many people who would like to provide food for their families, but can’t afford it. They find themselves wondering where their next meal will come from after the food stamps run out.

Here in the Diocese of Charlotte, Catholic Social Services food pantries are serving people in need now, and throughout the year. They connect the people who want to help with the people who need help the most. And getting involved is easier than you think.

CHARLOTTE

The Catholic Social Services (CSS) food pantry in Charlotte served 7,119 people last fiscal year, and the number of people relying on them for food continues to rise every month during this weak economy. Lately there has been an increase in the number of families and elderly coming to the pantry.

Like the two other CSS pantries in Asheville and Winston-Salem, the CSS pantry in Charlotte aims to serve as many people as possible. The pantry works on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are no eligibility requirements.

Aiming to serve the community needs as efficiently as possible, the food pantry enables people to come in and choose their own food from a list of available items. This allows the pantry to better cater to a family’s needs and wisely use its resources in accommodating religious, cultural and personal choices.

Catholic Social Services food pantries Charlotte

Asheville

Winston-Salem

Diocesan Pastoral Center 1123 South Church St. 704-370-3232 Open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 55 families are served or until 11 a.m.

Items needed: Personal care items, toiletries, woman’s personal care items, paper products (napkins, tissues, etc.), toothbrushes, gift cards for perishables

50 Orange St. Asheville, N.C. 28801 828-255-0146 Open Wednesday afternoons from 12:30 p.m. until 45 families or 4 p.m.

Items needed: Proteins (lunch meat, raw meat, etc.), shampoo, laundry detergent, woman’s personal care items, bars of soap

627 West Second St. Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101 336-727-0705 Open Thursdays 9 a.m.-up to about 65 households Items needed: Cereal, canned meats, pasta sauce, canned tomatoes, canned fruit, peanut butter, rice, toiletries

November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com

FROM THE COVERI

11

Volunteers from St. Matthew Church drop off 80 bins of donated food Monday to Catholic Social Services in Charlotte.

Mishaun Mitchell, an adoption social worker with Catholic Social Services, helps unload a truckload of food donations from St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte Monday. The boxes were packed at the church and transported to the Pastoral Center to be distributed to families before Thanksgiving.

Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

Parish-based food pantries

sueann howell | catholic news herald

“When you can’t meet the needs of your family, it is a very humbling experience. We want the clients to be able to choose their food so that they can directly provide for their family,” notes Sharon Davis of CSS. The pantry partners with Second Harvest food bank, from which it purchases large quantities of food. Monetary donations to CSS are highly encouraged, as it saves the pantry money to then obtain many of its staple items – usually items that people cannot buy with food stamps, such as toilet paper and toothpaste. The pantry does not have refrigeration, so only non-perishable and personal care items are accepted.

“People don’t think of toiletries when they think ‘food pantry,’” Davis points out.

“We want to meet the immediate needs of the client. The small things that we often take for granted or aren’t even aware of, like a toothbrush, can make the world of difference for someone in need.”

ASHEVILLE

The Catholic Social Services food pantry in Asheville served 2,789 people last fiscal year, and is on track to serve more this year. With the number of clients growing every month, the Asheville pantry recognizes the serious need in the community.

“What scares all of us is that every week we take a certain amount of people, and each time about a third of the people have never been there before. That alone is evidence that the need is growing, especially in families,” notes Michelle Sheppard.

This pantry has a wide array of supplies to give people in need. Thanks to refrigeration on site, they offer meat, dairy and fresh produce when possible, besides non-perishable foods. They even have pre-packaged pet food. They stock diapers, toilet paper and personal care items.

The pantry buys much of its food from Manna Food Bank, so monetary donations are particularly welcome.

The pantry receives donations and financial support from Asheville Catholic School and Asheville area parishes including St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Eugene, St. Barnabas and St. Lawrence Basilica.

WINSTON-SALEM

The Winston-Salem food pantry served 3,355 people last fiscal year. With a large number of both returning and new clients, the food pantry in Winston-Salem serves as many in need as possible, doing so using the same principles of food choice and respect for people’s dignity that makes all three of the CSS food pantries such a special ministry.

When the pantry’s doors open, clients are given a list of items available that week in the pantry. Depending on the quantity of its stock, the pantry serves up to about 65 families per week.

The pantry relies on the generosity of individuals and organizations to keep the shelves stocked. It is equipped with a refrigerator and three freezers for perishable items, and it accepts a variety of non-perishables.

Says Becky Dubois, “The food pantry is a valuable resource for those people who need food. We treat anyone who comes in with respect, and we appreciate donations from individuals, organizations, etc., so we can provide food for all the people that come to us.”

Many parishes across the diocese stock their own food pantries for the needy. It’s not an easy ministry to organize or fund, but the faithful take to heart the Gospel message to care for the poor among us. Here are just two examples:

ST. MATTHEW, Charlotte

Blessed as the largest parish in the diocese, St. Matthew in Charlotte runs perhaps the most extensive food pantry of any parish, with multiple ministries involved in the food pantry and in providing food to the needy in other ways. This year it will serve more than 560 families in need. Food collected is also shared with smaller food pantries in the area which serve the community.

When someone comes to the parish for food assistance, they get the help they seek – with dignity, privacy and respect for personal choice. Individuals or families in need are encouraged to make an appointment so that they are able to select whatever items they may need.

Parishioners support not just their own food pantry; they also send out carloads of food to families, Catherine’s House in Belmont, outreach programs in Gastonia, and Catholic Social Services’ food pantry in Charlotte. Each Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, St. Matthew Parish also delivers truckloads of food baskets to Catholic Social Services in Charlotte to be picked up by CSS clients. Following these large-scale events, the pantry is nearly empty, so pantry leaders encourage donations at these times, especially in the few short weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

ST. FRANCIS of Assisi, Franklin

Addressing both physical and spiritual hunger, St. Francis of Assisi in Franklin gives the needy a loving experience each time they come to the food pantry. Though the pantry itself is small, the number of people who come in for help has risen 5 percent just in the past year. Each week it serves about 70 families, who can walk through the pantry and choose what food they need and want for that week.

The pantry offers a variety of preserved and dry food and sometimes produce, fresh bread, and fresh pastries from Manna Food Bank.

While the clients wait in line, volunteers give out free rosaries and talk about their faith, The parish even has a prayer request list due to the number of people in line asking for prayers.

“We visit with clients while they are waiting their turn and we also assist the person in carrying their food to their cars. Many of the people tell us how much they look forward to this interaction. It is in this interaction that the Holy Spirit is working!” notes Patricia Tuscany, volunteer manager for the food pantry.

The pantry is supported by both food and financial donations from groups in the parish, community, and anyone else who wants to help. The number of volunteers, shoppers, deliverers and staff is a blessing for the small pantry, Tuscany says.

The parish recently raised more than $3,000 in a fundraiser to support the food pantry, turning the parish hall into an Italian restaurant for one night. People who benefit from the food pantry also helped with the fundraiser – a sure sign that this ministry is making a difference in people’s lives.

Tuscany says, “Whenever we wonder if we should continue what we are doing – especially when financially challenged – God provides the answer to us very clearly, usually with a generous, totally unexpected donation.”

Donate online or by mail

Looking to help in other ways?

Go to www.cssnc.org: Make a secure donation online quickly and easily.

Volunteers at all of the CSS food pantries are also welcome anytime.

Contact each office for details.

Give a gift of stock: Work with your broker to donate stock. Contact Katie Creighton at kmcreighton@charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3372.

mail a donation to: Catholic Social Services, Attn: Administration Office, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203-4003.

Holiday Outreach, in which needy families receive food baskets at Christmas, is also provided in Asheville, Charlotte and Winston-Salem. To sponsor a family or donate, call 828-255-0146 in Asheville, 704-370-3232 in Charlotte, or 336-727-0705 in Winston-Salem.

DONATE Furniture and Household items: CSS resettles hundreds of refugee families from across the world, relying on donations of furniture and household items to prepare homes for them. Pick-up available. Contact Sandy Buck at 704-370-3283 or skbuck@charlottediocese.org.

Donate an old car: Get rid of that old car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, ATV or boat. Pick-up available. Call toll-free 855-930-GIVE (4483).

Consider PLANNED GIVING: Continue to help long into the future by including CSS in your estate planning. Contact Judy Smith at 704-370-3320 or jmsmith@charlottediocese.org.

Get more info For more about how you can help stock the CSS food pantries in Asheville, Charlotte or Winston-Salem, go to www.cssnc.org and click on the “donate” tab or call the CSS office at the Diocese of Charlotte at 704-370-3232.

12

catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Celebrating 40 years!

Diocese of Charlotte

Did you know?

As the shepherd of the Diocese of Charlotte, the bishop regularly issues pastoral letters and other official communication about and for the local Church in western North Carolina.

Since the diocese was founded in 1972, many official documents have been promulgated, or decreed, by its four successive bishops. These decrees provide clarification, direction and focus to the clergy, religious and laity around western North Carolina.

Here are some of the major documents and pastoral letters promulgated by the bishops over the past 40 years:

1975

“This Land is Home to Me” – A pastoral letter by Bishop Michael J. Begley, the diocese’s first bishop, written as a statement of solidarity with the poor and powerless in Appalachia

1987

“Synod Promulgation” – A promulgated document by Bishop John F. Donoghue, the diocese’s second bishop, outlining the goals and action plans that emerged from the landmark Diocesan Synod in 1987

1997

“Of One Heart and Mind” – A pastoral letter issued jointly by Bishop William G. Curlin (the diocese’s third bishop) and Raleigh Bishop F. Joseph Gossman, discussing the disparities in economic opportunities across North Carolina

2004

“Worthy to Receive the Lamb: Catholics in Political Life and the Reception of Holy Communion” – A joint pastoral letter by Atlanta Archbishop John F. Donoghue, Charleston Bishop Robert J. Baker and Bishop Peter J. Jugis, written to guide Catholics in public life regarding their responsibilities and the reception of Holy Communion

2005

“Liturgical Norms” – A promulgated document by Bishop Peter J. Jugis outlining the liturgical norms for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy in the Diocese of Charlotte

2007

“Guiding the Roles of Pastors and Pastoral Councils” – A promulgated document explaining the respective roles and responsibilities of the parish, the pastor, the parish’s pastoral and finance councils, and the parish’s commissions or committees — compiled by SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

The 25th anniversary of the 1987 Synod Events shaped diocese as we know it today SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — A little-known fact to most Catholics now living in western North Carolina is that in 1987, the Diocese of Charlotte’s second bishop, Bishop John F. Donoghue, gathered lay men and women, religious and clergy from across the diocese for a diocesan synod to address the issues facing the growing Church within this missionary territory. It was the first and so far only synod in the diocese’s history, and its effects continue to be seen 25 years later.

What is a synod?

By definition, a synod is an assembly of ecclesiastics or other Church delegates, convoked pursuant to the law of the Church, for the discussion and decision of ecclesiastical affairs; an ecclesiastical council.

Why hold a synod?

In his letter to the people of the diocese on Sept. 14, 1985, Bishop Donoghue said, “It is my hope that in the broad consultation called for by a Synod, we will be able to develop a pastoral plan which will shape the diocese for the future so that together, we will be the ‘sign and instrument of communion with God and unity among all men’.” (Vatican II, “Constitution of the Church”) When did the diocesan synod take place?

From October of 1985 until the first meeting of the synod in September 1986, Bishop Donoghue established preparatory commissions, held parish programs during Lent to address the synod issues to be discussed, selected members to attend the synod, and created materials to be considered at the synod.

After the first meeting of the synod in September 1986, the preparatory commission revised the materials. The second session of the synod was held in January 1987. The materials were then revised a second time.

The final session of the synod was held in May 1987. The synod documents were promulgated, or published, at that time and the implementation of the diocesan pastoral plan established by the synod then began.

In all, more than 140 people from around the diocese contributed their time and talents to the synod.

In his letter of promulgation on May 23, 1987, Bishop Donoghue noted, “Through

this Synod, we have grown together as a community of faith. We have supported one another as a community of love; and we have served one another and our brothers and sisters throughout the Diocese of Charlotte, out of a conviction of faith and an experience of God’s Spirit at work within us.

“The sole task of this Synod has been to glorify the Lord through the advancing of His King­dom in this Diocese, at this time, through the men and women who are now providentially the People of God of the Diocese of Charlotte. I am confident that what we propose for implemen­tation will lead each of us and all members of the Church of Charlotte to be mindful of the need for personal and ecclesial purification and the need to reach out and truly be a ‘light to the nations.’”

Sueann Howell | catholic news herald

Monsignor John J. McSweeney, pastor of St. Matthew Church, is pictured in his office at the church on Nov. 16. He was vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte during the 1987 Diocesan Synod.

What was the outcome of the 1987 synod?

Seven areas were addressed during the synod that saw direct results afterward. The areas were: spiritual life, evangelization, education, poverty, lay ministry, councils and growth.

Monsignor John J. McSweeney, the first priest ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte and now pastor of St. Matthew Church in south Charlotte, was vicar general and chancellor of the diocese during the time of the synod.

Monsignor McSweeney stresses that those seven areas were carefully selected, and great effort went into selecting Catholics from around the diocese to participate in the synod and discuss these topics.

“At that time we had no idea of the growth the diocese would experience,” he noted. “We made sure we kept it balanced, as there are 46 counties in the diocese. We didn’t want everything based or centered in Charlotte.”

Monsignor McSweeney believes the 1987 Diocesan Synod is historically significant for many reasons, which can be seen in the fruits of the synod still tangible today. In particular, he has witnessed a great impact in the areas of Catholic schools, lay ministry, Catholic Social Services and the work of pastoral councils in the local parishes.

“At the time of the synod, there was a bold effort to save Catholic schools, to make sure

there was equity in pay (for teachers), to build Catholic identity, merge schools and build new ones,” he said.

He said he is impressed with the response of the laity and the development of lay ministry in the diocese over the past 25 years. His parish is a prime example of this growth, as the 9,000 registered families there can participate in more than 100 ministries. Every parish in the diocese has a range of ministries for the laity according to the seven topics the synod focused on.

Thinking back to the time of the synod, Monsignor McSweeney said, “What amazed me so much was all these people giving their time – seriously giving their time.”

More online Read the 1987 Diocesan Synod documents: www.charlottediocese.org/ministriesa-departments/planning/364/377.

For historical anecdotes from the diocesan archives, check out the blog: www.charlottediocese.org/ministriesa-departments/archives.

November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

13

Celebrating 40 years!

Diocese of Charlotte

Pictured clockwise from upper left are: the Pennybyrn campus, Penny House, the Pennybyrn sign that greets visitors, and four of the five founding sisters of Pennybyrn with an unidentified priest (taken in 1947).

Photos by Kathy Roach and provided by Pennybyrn at Maryfield

Maryfield celebrates 65-year legacy in High Point Kathy Roach Correspondent

HIGH POINT — Pennybyrn at Maryfield celebrated 65 years of caring and compassion Nov. 14 marking the day in 1947 when the retirement and assisted living community was founded in High Point by five women religious.

On Nov. 14, 1947, five Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God were sent by their congregation in London, England, to High Point to start a mission at the request of North Carolina Bishop Vincent Waters. The congregation purchased Penny House, originally built by George Penny in 1927, on Greensboro Road in High Point. The sisters lived there and opened a convalescent center with 22 beds.

It became known as Maryfield after it was licensed as a nursing home in the 1950s.

Sixty-five years since the first sisters arrived, Maryfield has grown into a 71-acre continuing care retirement community called Pennybyrn at Maryfield. The facilities, which were entirely rebuilt in 2007, include a small

neighborhood of 20 independent living cottages, a building of 131 independent living apartments, a building of 24 assisted living and 24 memory support apartments and a newly-renovated nursing care building. The front of the chapel houses Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, in which 200 volunteers from all across the Triad take turns keeping vigil.

Five Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God still reside in Penny House, but the nursing home moved to a separate building behind the house in 1965.

The community now has a total of 325 residents and 385 staff.

The sisters continue in the tradition of their founder, Frances Taylor, who took the name of Mother Magdalen, taking care of their residents with the help and guidance of a board of directors and ambassador council comprised of people from the surrounding area.

Over the years as the needs of the community have grown, the sisters’ dedication to caring has evolved into a new, vibrant retirement lifestyle and care for people of all

faiths.

The chairman of the board, Sister Lucy Hennessy, SMG, who is originally from Limerick, Ireland, notes that “people of all faiths have helped and are being served here and taken care of here.”

“On this the celebration of our 65th anniversary, the sisters look back with deep gratitude to God and to all those who contributed in so many ways to the growth and survival of this great mission. In our hearts we know that this mission has been both handmade and hand held by our loving God,” she noted.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read a reflection by Sister Lucy Hennessy, SMG, about Maryfield’s founding and its mission to serve the elderly.

14

iiiNovember 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com

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sŝƐŝƚ ŽƵƌ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ZŽŽŵ/ŶŶ͘ŽƌŐ

NEWS HERALD

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November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

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Ɛ ŚƌŝƐƚ ĐĂůůƐ ƵƐ ƚŽ ƉƌĞĂĐŚ ƚŚĞ 'ŽƐƉĞů ŽĨ >ŝĨĞ ƚŽ ŽƵƌ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚŝĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŽ ƌĞĂĐŚ ŽƵƚ ǁŝƚŚ ůŽǀĞ ĂŶĚ ĂƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ ƚŽ ŚŽŵĞůĞƐƐ͕ ƉƌĞŐŶĂŶƚ ǁŽŵĞŶ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͕ ǁĞ ĂƐŬ LJŽƵ ƚŽ ũŽŝŶ ƵƐ ĂƐ ǁĞ ŵĂŬĞ ƚŚĞ DĞƌĐLJ ŽĨ ŚƌŝƐƚ ƌĞĂů ƚŽ ƚŚĞƐĞ LJŽƵŶŐ ŵŽƚŚĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͘ ^ĞƌǀŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ dƌŝĂĚ ĂƌĞĂ͕ ŽƵƌ EƵƐƐďĂƵŵ DĂƚĞƌŶŝƚLJ ,ŽŵĞ͕ dŚĞ ŵLJ ůŝnjĂďĞƚŚ ŝƐŶĞLJ ,ŽŵĞ͕ dŚĞ ĂĐŬLJĂƌĚ DŝŶŝƐƚƌLJ ŝŶ <ĞƌŶĞƌƐǀŝůůĞ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ^ĂŵĂƌŝƚĂŶ ,ŽŵĞ ŝŶ ĚĞŶ ĂƌĞ Ăůů ƉĂƌƚ ŽĨ ZŽŽŵ ƚ dŚĞ /ŶŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ dƌŝĂĚ͛Ɛ ƉƌŽůŝĨĞ ŵŝŶŝƐƚƌLJ ƚŽ ŚŽŵĞůĞƐƐ͕ ƉƌĞŐŶĂŶƚ ǁŽŵĞŶ ĂŶĚ ƐŝŶŐůĞ ŵŽƚŚĞƌƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͘ Ŷ ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐĞĚ ĞŶǀĞůŽƉĞ ŝŶ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚŝƐ ĐŽƉLJ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂƚŚŽůŝĐ

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ZŽŽŵ ƚ dŚĞ /ŶŶ

KŶ ďĞŚĂůĨ ŽĨ ŽƵƌ ŵŽƚŚĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͕ ǁĞ ƉƌĂLJ ƚŚĂƚ LJŽƵ ĂŶĚ LJŽƵƌ ĨĂŵŝůŝĞƐ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ůĞƐƐĞĚ ŚƌŝƐƚŵĂƐ ĂŶĚ EĞǁ zĞĂƌ͊ dŚĂŶŬ LJŽƵ ĨŽƌ ŵĂŬŝŶŐ ͞ƌŽŽŵ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ŝŶŶ͘͟

ŽƌƌĞƚƚĂ͛Ɛ ^ƚŽƌLJ

15

Our schools 16

catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

Photos courtesy of st. Gabriel school

Students at St. Gabriel School donate non-perishable food items every “Thanksgiving Thursday” during the year to help local food pantries.

St. Patrick students make cards for the sick CHARLOTTE — Many beautiful and thoughtful greeting cards were recently crafted by St. Patrick students to offer support and show care and concern for the sick and homebound in Charlotte area parishes. This volunteer project was organized by the school’s Service Club, which performs corporal works of mercy throughout the year to various charities and organizations.

— Anastasia Walter

OLG students raise money for technology department GREENSBORO — Our Lady of Grace School’s Technology Club raised money for the school’s technology department recently by repairing and recycling old computers. Club members Francis Byungura, Owen Morris, Mickey Brigham, Will Hornfeck, Patrick Tyler and Jack Fink are pictured loading computers into the Piedmont eCycling’s truck. The Technology Club is sponsored by technology teacher Jacky Hanner.

— Karen L. Hornfeck

St. Gabriel students mark ‘Thanksgiving Thursday’ all school-year long SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Students at St. Gabriel School know what it’s like to live their faith in season and out of season. For two years now, the K-5 school has adopted a monthly stewardship effort called “Thanksgiving Thursday,” a year-round effort to collect non-perishable food items to help feed those less fortunate in the community. Families, faculty and students at St. Gabriel all pitch in with the food drive.

On a recent “Thanksgiving Thursday,” Nov. 16, the St. Gabriel School community stepped up its collection efforts to come to the aid of the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Social Services’ Food Pantry to help provide much-needed items for Thanksgiving dinners.

“Teachers and administrators at St. Gabriel used every opportunity to reach out to students and their families to make this ‘Thanksgiving Thursday’ the biggest food drive ever,” said Michelle Snoke, assistant principal and organizer of the monthly food drives.

Teachers also discussed the importance of food drives to their students during religion class.

Fourth-grade teacher Betsy DesNoyer told her students, “This

is your opportunity to help build the Kingdom of God. You can be like Jesus and help feed others, which is what Jesus calls us to do.”

The timing of the collection was perfect, as DesNoyer and the other fourth-grade teachers were teaching the Beatitudes to their students.

The Nov. 16 “Thanksgiving Thursday” will go down in history as St. Gabriel’s biggest food drive ever.

Students brought in a variety of items, dropping them off at the school lobby. The teachers made boxes with their classroom numbers so they could see how each class participated, but the boxes were not large enough to hold all the donations.

The second-grade teachers used the lobby filled with food as their backdrop for a Thanksgiving prayer service.

Two second-graders were proud of the food drive.

Darcy Keller, who has been donating food for the past two years on “Thanksgiving Thursdays,” said her concern was for the children getting the food. She said she “donated ‘princess chicken soup’ for the children.”

Edward Woltz, a new student to St. Gabriel School this year, said, “This is the most food I have seen at a food drive, and the food will mean a lot to the people that get it.”

Said Snoke, “The overwhelming support from our St. Gabriel School community was heartwarming.”

Collection held to benefit CSS food pantry ASHEVILLE — Students at Asheville Catholic School recently collected 540 canned goods and more than $864 to buy turkeys for Catholic Social Services’ food pantry in Asheville. Also to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, the school held its second-annual Thanksgiving Day Luncheon Nov. 20 for ACS families and staff, with turkey donated by The Hulsing Corp. and other foods prepared by the families. All leftovers were donated to Homeward Bound, a local soup kitchen.

Photo provided by Molly Walker

November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

17

Giving thanks, lending a hand

Photo provided by Michele Llaneza

Kindergartners get creative for Thanksgiving CHARLOTTE — Kindergartners at St. Patrick School in Charlotte had fun making decorations and other art projects for the school’s annual Thanksgiving Feast Nov. 20. Pictured are (from left) Tegan Walters, Kelly Tyson and Riley Snarr.

Sending holiday goodies to the troops CHARLOTTE — The second-grade students of St. Matthew School recently collected Thanksgiving goodies for U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The boxes were sent to a co-worker of second-grade parent Dan Scallion. The goodies will be distributed among U.S. troops who are actively training Afghan soldiers.

The second-graders also wrote letters to the soldiers, and included festive Thanksgiving pictures. The children’s donations filled 11 boxes.

Photo provided by Robin Fisher

SALISBURY — During the month of November, Sacred Heart School’s Student Government Association collected canned goods for Rowan Helping Ministries and Sister Mary Robert’s Thanksgiving Baskets. Their goal was 3,000 cans, which averaged about 12 cans per student – and they made it! Rowan Helping Ministries is a Salisbury-area homeless shelter and soup kitchen. Sister Mary Robert sponsors the Thanksgiving Baskets to help feed needy parishioner families.

Business Manager

St. James the Greater Catholic Church Candidates should be knowledgeable in accounting, personnel issues, federal and state laws. Candidates should have at least an undergraduate degree in business and prior management experience. Church related experience would be beneficial.

Send resume and cover letter to Bonnie White at bonniew@saintjamescatholic.org or 139 Manor Avenue SW, Concord, NC 28025

Photo provided by Kevin O’Herron and Patti Dickson

Photo provided by Lara Davenport

Service learning

OLM gives thanks by giving to others WINSTON-SALEM — Students at Our Lady of Mercy School prepared for Thanksgiving by sharing time, talent and treasure to benefit others. The fourth- through eighth-grade classes spent a morning filling sand bags, counting candles and paper bags, and packing gift boxes to assemble luminary kits for the local Ronald McDonald House. RMH depends completely on donations and volunteers to create the kits so all proceeds from this annual Luminary Project can help RMH to continue its services to families with loved ones in the hospital. Students and their families also contributed to Mercy’s annual Thanksgiving basket collection. The 10 classes and faculty donated food and other items to put together 11 complete Thanksgiving meals for parish families in need. In addition, the classes collected enough money to add a grocery gift card to each basket for the families to buy perishables for their meal. The baskets were blessed during the school Mass before they were distributed. Once the work was done, several classes celebrated with their own Thanksgiving feasts, giving thanks for their classmates, family, friends and teachers. Fourth-graders, as part of their social studies lesson on the First Thanksgiving, shared an entire banquet in the cafeteria with traditional Thanksgiving fare. Pictured above, a representative from each class at Our Lady of Mercy School is pictured with the baskets the classes created, filled with food and other items to give 11 complete Thankgiving meals for parish families in need.

OPEN HOUSE ON DECEMBER 6TH AT 9:30 AM

18

catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte Mega-Workshop for Citizenship Applications Sunday, December 9 at UNC Charlotte This free workshop is an opportunity for those eligible for naturalization to obtain help in filling out the application form. Registration is required. If you or someone you know is interested in attending please contact Sarah Long at (704) 370-3287 for more information or to register.

Taller de Ciudadanía Domingo, 9 de diciembre en el campus de UNC Charlotte En este taller gratuito las personas que son elegibles para la ciudadanía pueden obtener

Photo provided by Amy Burger

Second-graders lead All Saints Day Mass at St. Mark School HUNTERSVILLE — On Nov. 5 second-graders at St. Mark School in Huntersville were saints – literally. In what has become an annual tradition at the school, all 81 second-graders dressed up as a favorite saint and led the school-wide Mass, which was attended by more than 800 people.

Father Matthew Codd, parochial vicar of St. Mark Church, celebrated the Mass and used the time during the homily to speak to the students about the virtuous ways in which the saints lived their lives.

The Mass was a culmination of a month-long project for the students. At the beginning of October, each student chose a saint with a personal meaning for them. The students spent the month researching the lives of their chosen saints and writing a report. Each student also created a poster for their saint, which was a visual representation of the facts that they learned through their research.

“For most second-graders, this is the first experience with a research project,” said Amanda Thompson, one of the three second-grade teachers as St. Mark School. “Through this project, students learn how to access information and put it into words, but they also gain a greater insight into their Catholic faith by learning about the various ways that the saints devoted their lives to God.”

ayuda con el formulario. Todos los participantes deben llamar antes del taller para inscribirse. Si quiere más información o está interesado en participar, por favor llame a Sarah Long al (704) 370-3287.

Your Local Catholic Charities Agency

Sponsored by Catholic Social Services, the Latin American Coalition, and the Southeast Asian Coalition

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

St. Leo School in Winston-Salem, under the guidance of their teacher Patti Eiffe, recently held a bake sale to raise money for Christmas Outreach, collecting $850. Eiffe split the money equally among the children and then took them shopping for clothes and toys. The children then worked together to wrap all the gifts and donate them to St. Leo Parish’s Christmas Outreach program.

— Donna Birkel

St. Pius X holds book fair

Your Local Catholic Charities Agency

GREENSBORO — Students at St. Pius X School recently enjoyed their annual book fair.

On one day during the book fair, entitled “Every Reader is a Star,” grandparents helped their kindergarten grandchildren pick out books and decorate star-shaped cookies. Pictured at “Goodies with Grands” are kindergartner Jackson DeVillers and his grandfather, Gary DeVillers.

— Jean Navarro

OLM hosts night of family fun

St. Leo holds bake sale WINSTON-SALEM — Fourth-graders at

WINSTON-SALEM — Our Lady of Mercy School’s gym was filled with laughter and fun Oct. 19, as the school hosted its fifth annual Fall Festival. It’s an event OLM families look forward to each year, one that includes inflatable rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, pony rides and more. Though the focus of the event is fun, it also helps the OLM PTO raise some extra funds for the school. “Many hands help run this event, and it is a fantastic time for everyone,” said Tracie Moreau, this year’s event co-chair. She had so much fun coordinating it that she and her co-chair Kristin Hammill have committed to doing it again next year.

— Lara Davenport

November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

In Brief

sang the national anthem. Principal Joseph Puceta told students it is important to honor veterans because they fought for us and for our freedom, so the special day gave the community and school system the chance to express their gratitude.

— Pat Burr

19

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SPX students explore mountains GREENSBORO — Seventh-grade students and teachers of St. Pius X School recently attended Green River Preserve’s School of Environmental Education (SEE). Green River Preserve is a 3,400-acre private wildlife preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The students spent three days exploring the preserve’s waterfalls, caves, and mountain overlooks. During the visit, students and teachers learned about the southern Blue Ridge Mountains while hiking the preserve with SEE naturalists each day.

St. Pius X honors veterans

— Jean Navarro

OLM fourth-graders put on Parade of Nations WINSTON-SALEM — Our Lady of Mercy School’s fourth grade presented its annual country projects recently, creating visual displays, a travel brochure, costumes and wonderful food from each of their chosen countries. Their Parade of Nations (pictured from left) included Portugal, Columbia, Greece, France, Brazil, Poland, Germany, Scotland, England, Sweden, Russia, Thailand, India, Jamaica, Spain, Italy and Cuba. (South Africa and Japan are not pictured.) The other classes came to view the projects as well, so everyone was able to learn something from the fourthgraders’ hard work.

— Lara Davenport

4436 Park Road, Charlotte, North Carolina

GREENSBORO — Students, families and faculty at St. Pius X School recently held their fourth-annual Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony to honor local veterans and active military personnel. This year’s program had the largest turnout of veterans and their families.

Pictured are veteran Bill Law and his wife Janet, along with Boy Scouts from Troop 244 at St. Pius X Parish: Henry Kirby, Nicolas Arvelo, Sean Muller, Jacob Hudson and Mark Sellers.

— Jean Navarro

St. Leo students pack Christmas shoeboxes WINSTON-SALEM — Students at St. Leo School recently packed up ”Christmas Shoeboxes” for distribution by Help the Children to children around the world who might not otherwise receive any gifts for Christmas.

Pictured is third-grader Capri Lobotzke helping three preschoolers put together a package.

Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte Executive Director: Gerard A. Carter, Ph.D. (704) 370-3250 Refugee Office: Cira Ponce (704) 370-3262 Family Life: Gerard Carter (704) 370-3228 Justice and Peace: Joseph Purello (704) 370-3225 OEO/CSS Murphy Satellite Office (828) 835-3535

— Donna Birkel We welcome your school’s news and photos. Please email items to Editor Patricia L. Guilfoyle at plguilfoyle@ charlottediocese.org.

Charlotte Region: 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203 Area Director: Sharon Davis (704) 370-3218 Your Local Catholic Charities Agency

Western Region: 50 Orange Street, Asheville, NC 28801 Area Director: Michele Sheppard (828) 255-0146 Piedmont-Triad: 627 W. Second St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Area Director: Diane Bullard (336) 727-0705 Greensboro Satellite Office (336) 274-5577

St. Michael students honor vets GASTONIA — Students at St. Michael School celebrated Veterans Day earlier this month in a special way. Fifth-graders Davis Rodriguez and John Collins held the American flag as the students recited the Pledge of Allegiance (pictured above). They read scripture and also

For information on specific programs, please call your local office.

www.cssnc.org

Strengthening Families. Building Communities. Reducing Poverty.

Mix 20

catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

On TV

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

In theaters Above, a painting of the Virgin Mary with her face framed in blue and gold.

Below, a sketch of the face of Jesus.

Photos by Suzanne Konopka | Catholic News Herald

St. Barnabas parishioner Dan Alvarez has painted more than 900 works over the past two years. Alvarez holds a painting of Mary the Mother of God and the Infant Jesus.

‘Lincoln’ The plot focuses on the Civil War president’s passionate yet wily struggle, during the closing days of that conflict, to steer a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery through Congress. The trajectory of the tale is, by its nature, uplifting, while Lincoln’s multifaceted personality – which encompassed idealism, political shrewdness, melancholy, humor and even a few endearing foibles – is vividly illuminated. The educational value and moral import of the film may make it acceptable for older adolescents. Intense but mostly bloodless battlefield violence, racial slurs, occasional rough and crass language.

CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13

‘Skyfall’ A rousing return for British Agent 007 and a much-needed injection of vitality into the 50-year-old James Bond film franchise. Bond (Daniel Craig) and a field operative (Naomie Harris) are on the trail of a villain (Javier Bardem) who has stolen a computer disc containing the identities of every secret agent in the world. The sleazy megalomaniac uses the data to terrorize London and exact revenge on veteran counter-intelligence chief M (Judi Dench), who is also contending with the threat posed by a government rival (Ralph Fiennes) who seeks her job. Though the violence quotient is undeniably high, Mendes’ film is thoughtful and character-driven. Scenes of intense action violence and torture, implied nonmarital sexual activity, mild sensuality and innuendo, rough language.

CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13

Additional movies: n ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2’ CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘The Sessions’ - CNS: A-O (morally offensive); MPAA: R n ‘Red Dawn’ - CNS: A-L (limited adult audience); MPAA: PG-13 n ’Somewhere Between’ - CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: NR

Arden artist uses God-given talent to uplift others Suzanne Konopka Correspondent

ARDEN — “May your art help to affirm that true beauty which will transfigure matter, opening the human soul to the sense of the eternal,” wrote Blessed John Paul II in his 1999 “Letter to Artists.”

Artist Dan Alvarez, a parishioner of St. Barnabas Church in Arden, has taken this to heart. As a young child, he began to copy maps from encyclopedias and sketch people and objects.

When his beautiful bird drawings were stolen in the sixth grade, he jokes, he realized he had a talent.

“It’s absolutely a gift from God. I owe Him for any talent I have.”

Art has been his passion for more than 50 years. Self-taught, Alvarez considers himself unconventional, experimenting with pencil, pen and ink, charcoal and acrylics. Depending on the media, a piece may take 30 minutes or several days. Most nights find him in his basement workshop for two to three hours.

“I usually start with a prayer that God will guide me,” he says.

He most often draws from photos or pictures.

Every day offers new possibilities, whether he is near home or traveling to places such as Europe, the Holy Land or even Cuba.

His subjects? “I’m drawn to people. I’m always looking for interesting faces… and all faces are interesting to me. I begin most pieces with the eyes, because they are the windows to our souls.”

He has created works for family and friends, but also strangers and celebrities, famous and infamous. Some examples include the Beatles, Hollywood stars, and politicians and scientists from every nation and time. Native American Indians hold a special place in his heart.

In recent years, he has focused more on religious figures from saints to sinners, prophets to popes. Sister Wendy Beckett, acclaimed art critic and English hermit, has received several sketches from Alvarez, and now they have a spiritual bond, explains Alvarez. “She lives to

pray.”

His wife of 19 years, Margi, is his best critic and supporter. “Interestingly,” he says, “it took me 20 years to really ‘capture’ her in sketches.”

Alvarez’s life has creatively imitated his art.

As a child, he was comfortable playing in his family’s funeral home business. He served in the U.S. Air Force, then worked 27 years for the U.S. Postal Service. Since 1992, he has been a security guard, restaurant host, wine consultant, bread and donut maker, and art framer. He has worked at a library, bank, cigar factory, airport and the YMCA, but his current role as St. Barnabas’ receptionist and Hispanic translator is his favorite.

From 2001 to 2005, Alvarez also published two books of poetry based on his life experiences, as well as a book containing many of his earliest art works.

It wasn’t always easy for him to maintain his enthusiasm. Nearly nine years ago, he fell into a long depression and stopped drawing for five years. Then he was diagnosed with tonsillar cancer. In the midst of that darkness, a new light began to emerge.

“The cancer and its healing opened the window to spiritual things and my relationship with God. It really hit me that my talent was from Him. My good friend Jose Gonzalez kept giving me art supplies. I was embarrassed not to use them, so this began my artistic and spiritual renaissance.”

The proof of that has been 900 works over the past two years, and the majority have been religious, especially of Jesus and Mary.

Admittedly shy, Alvarez says his work is personal and he rarely sells it. He gives most of his art away, even to the famous subjects. Although, he says, “the only thanks I need is when someone receives joy from my work,” Alvarez has received formal letters of appreciation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Queen Elizabeth II and Pope Benedict XVI, complete with an apostolic blessing.

“If it puts a smile on their faces, it puts a smile on mine,“ he says.

n Saturday, Nov. 24, 12 p.m. (EWTN) “Ordinary Public Consistory For The Creation Of New Cardinals.” From St. Peter’s Basilica, Holy Mass with Pope Benedict XVI as he elevates six prelates to the level of cardinal. n Sunday, Nov. 25, 1:30 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Edmund Campion.” Learn of the life, mission and death of English Jesuit and martyr St. Edmund Campion.

Follow the journey of a man with a mission to minister to the persecuted Catholics of Elizabethan England. n Tuesday, Nov 27, 7 p.m (EWTN) “Pontifical Solemn High Mass In The Extraordinary Form.”

On the Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, the Diocese of Trenton celebrates a Pontifical Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form at St. Hedwig Church in Trenton, N.J. n Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2;30 p.m. (EWTN) “Feasts & Seasons: The Last Week Before Advent.” Host Joanna Bogle explains the various feasts that lead up to the Christmas season with teachings, stories and special holiday recipes. n Wednesday, Nov. 28, 3-6 p.m. (EWTN) “Installation and Ordination of Monsignor Joseph E. Strickland as the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese Tyler, Texas.” n Friday, Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Conversion: Following The Call Of Christ.” Father Robert Barron, looking to the example of “blind” Bartimaeus from the Gospel of Mark, reflects on our need to be spiritual beggars before Christ. n Friday, Nov. 30, 10-11 p.m. (EWTN) “Xavier: Missionary and Saint.”

This documentary follows St. Francis Xavier’s missionary journey through Europe and Asia. n Saturday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m.

(EWTN) “Son Of Maryam.”

A poignant story about the friendship between a Muslim adolescent and an elderly Catholic priest living in Iran. This film highlights the common ground between Muslims and Catholics.

November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

BAC: FROM PAGE 5

Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit law firm that is handling many of the HHS mandate challenges.

Oral arguments in the case “Wheaton College and Belmont Abbey College v.

Sebelius” are scheduled to be heard in the U.S. Court of Appeal for the District of Columbia on Dec. 14.

Catholics believe that human life is sacred from the moment of conception to natural death, and the Church has consistently opposed artificial contraception and sterilization, teaching that they violate the total giving of self and openness to life which are essential to God’s plan for marriage. The HHS mandate defines contraception and sterilization as preventive health care that all women of child-bearing age should have for free.

In their appeal, the two colleges are asking the court to reverse the lower court’s decision to throw out their case.

They argue that even though the HHS mandate will not go into effect until next year, they are being harmed now – in spite of a reprieve by the Obama administration last spring to give religious employers one year to figure out how to comply with the mandate.

That one-year “safe harbor,” from August 2012 to August 2013, does not change the mandate itself, nor does it exempt religious employers who believe that contraception, sterilization and abortion are immoral and that the government forcing them to provide such services is a violation of their First Amendment rights. Religious employers may be exempted from the mandate only if they hire and serve people primarily of their own faith – so Catholic colleges, hospitals, charities and others would not qualify.

After the Obama administration’s announcement and Catholic leaders’ continued outcry, government officials promised that they would make changes

by August to the HHS mandate so that religious employers’ rights would be protected. But no specifics have been announced.

Meanwhile, Belmont Abbey College and Wheaton College, which have about 200 employees and 700 employees, respectively, remain in limbo. They argue that the uncertainty and threat of the HHS mandate looming in 2013 is already harming them, and the risk of violating federal law and incurring fines is too serious for them to wait until later to challenge the mandate.

In their brief to the appellate court prepared in advance of the Dec. 14 hearing, the colleges stated: “By January 1, 2014, they will be subject to fines of at least $20,000 per day ($100 per day, per employee) for Belmont Abbey and $70,900 per day ($100 per day, per employee) for Wheaton if they refuse to comply with the mandate. And if they simply drop their insurance plans to honor their consciences, they will still be fined approximately $300,000 per year (Belmont Abbey) and $1.35 million per year (Wheaton).

“Like any educational institution, they must plan well in advance for their upcoming budget and hiring needs. For instance, Belmont Abbey must begin budgeting in November of this year for its next fiscal year, which runs from June 1, 2013, to May 31, 2014.”

“The mandate currently puts the Colleges at a competitive disadvantage in recruiting, hiring, and retaining faculty

members and other employees,” the brief continues. “[C]urrent employees at both institutions have expressed deep concerns about the possibility of losing health insurance, about the possible reduction in academic programming, and about increased costs passed on to them as a result of anticipated fines.

“These harms are real and significant.

For example, several Wheaton employees have expressed fear that, if Wheaton is forced to terminate their insurance coverage, they will not be able to afford health care for themselves or their families.

Some of them may have to seek expensive medical treatments before January 1 to be assured coverage. Others face the specter of battling chronic conditions without access to affordable care.”

Kyle Duncan, general counsel for the Becket Fund, summed up the challenge in a recent written statement, saying, “The safe harbor’s protection is illusory.

Even though the government won’t make religious colleges pay crippling fines this year, private lawsuits can still be brought, schools are at a competitive disadvantage for hiring and retaining faculty, and employees face the specter of battling chronic conditions without access to affordable care. This mandate puts these religious schools in an impossible position.”

The Belmont Abbey/Wheaton College case has attracted numerous amicus (“friend of the court”) briefs from numerous Catholic institutions, including the Catholic University of America, the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. Also supporting the abbey’s case are 13 states (Texas, Nebraska, Michigan, Indiana, Florida, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ohio, Georgia, Virginia, Colorado, South Carolina and Idaho), the Cato Institute, the American Civil Rights Union, Women Speak for Themselves, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Catholic Medical Association, the National Catholic Bioethics Center, Physicians for Life, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic of the Anglican Church in North America, Queens Federation of Churches, National Association of Evangelicals, Association of Christian Schools International, Christian Medical Association, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Prison Fellowship Ministries, Association of Rescue Gospel Missions and the Christian Legal Society.

Belmont Abbey College’s president Thierfelder called this “groundswell” of support significant – because it’s coming not just from Catholics, and because it demonstrates the seriousness of the constitutional threat posed by the HHS mandate. After all, if the government can force a Catholic institution to pay for contraception and sterilization in violation of Catholic teaching, then the freedom of any religious group could be threatened.

“There are a lot of groups that have gotten behind this because they’ve seen the importance of this,” Thierfelder said.

Thierfelder noted that he expects this issue to move more quickly now that the presidential election is over. Perhaps some religious institutions had hoped for Republican Party candidate Mitt Romney to win the White House and rescind the HHS mandate, but “we can’t hope for government relief,” he said.

Overturning the HHS mandate now rests in the hands of the courts.

“My hope is that this case on the 14th will go a long way toward leading the charge for the whole country,” Thierfelder said.

JOURNALIST: FROM PAGE 8

Allen believes the battle lines in this fight in the U.S. are the federal Health and Human Services mandate that will force employers to provide health insurance policies which cover free contraceptives and sterilization; the withdrawal of the Obama administration’s support for the federal Defense of Marriage Act; and same-sex “marriage” initiatives that are, among other things, forcing Catholic adoption agencies across the country to be shuttered.

Allen also explained how religious freedom, especially for Christians, is under attack around the world.

Allen cited that 80 percent of religious discrimination in the world is directed towards Christians. There are 133 countries where Christians are being persecuted. And, according to Aid To The Church In Need, it is estimated that 150,000 Christians are killed every year out of hatred for the faith.

Allen concluded with a discussion of what he sees as a dangerous trend in America – “tribalism.”

“If we take a clear-eyed look around at the Catholic landscape in the U.S., we would have to acknowledge that sometimes we are a house divided against itself.

“We often talk about this division as

21

polarization; we think everyone is either clustered to the left and to the right.

“I think this is too simplistic for our situation.”

Rather than being conservative or liberal, Catholics are divided into groups like Pro-life Catholics, Peace and Justice Catholics, Church Reformers, Liturgical Tradition Catholics and such.

“Thank God for all of these folks. That diversity in principle is a precious thing.

It’s what makes us a Church rather than a sect…

“When this tribalism becomes dysfunctional, however, is when these different tribes stop communicating with one other and instead start treating one other as ideological and theological enemies.”

Too often that is the situation, Allen asserted, and we need to build “zones of friendship” across these dividing lines if we are all to break out of this debilitating pattern.

“We need a grass-roots effort to build zones of friendship across tribal lines.

It’s going to be a counter-cultural effort…

This is going to be a conscious, daily effort to resist being evangelized by our culture and instead be evangelizers of our culture.”

His challenge to Catholics: “Think of yourselves as the architects and engineers of your own zones of friendship in your parishes and your schools, in your circle of friends.

“If we don’t do this collectively, it’s not going to get done.”

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Our nation 22

catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

U.S. bishops call for continued focus on religious liberty, marriage, immigration BALTIMORE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops gathered for their annual fall assembly in Baltimore earlier this month. Here is a roundup of some of the issues they addressed:

Bishop John G. Noonan of Orlando, Fla., prays with his fellow U.S. bishops as they gather for the second day of their annual fall meeting in Baltimore Nov. 13.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Seize momentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on immigration The chairman of the U.S. bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Committee on Migration joined the broadening chorus calling on President Barack Obama and Congress to â&#x20AC;&#x153;seize the momentâ&#x20AC;? and pass comprehensive immigration reform next year.

In a statement issued Nov. 13, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, committee chair, called on Obama and congressional leaders to work together on a bipartisan immigration reform bill. He also encouraged people to make their voices heard in support of an immigration system â&#x20AC;&#x153;which upholds the rule of law, preserves family unity and protects the human rights and dignity of the person.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Redoubleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; efforts on marriage issue Just shy of a week after laws permitting same-sex unions passed in three states and voters in a fourth rejected an amendment to define marriage as a union of one man and one woman, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tuesday was a disappointing day for marriage.â&#x20AC;? The chairman of the Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage told the U.S. bishops Nov. 12 that traditional marriage also faces probable challenges on the judicial front.

Voters in Maine, Washington state and Maryland approved ballot measures legalizing same-sex unions Nov. 6, while Minnesota voters rejected a state constitutional amendment to uphold the traditional definition of marriage, opening the door for the Legislature and the courts to consider legalizing same-sex â&#x20AC;&#x153;marriageâ&#x20AC;? there. Maineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s referendum to authorize same-sex â&#x20AC;&#x153;marriageâ&#x20AC;? reversed a 2009 referendum that banned such unions.

The election results are â&#x20AC;&#x153;a symptom of a much larger problem,â&#x20AC;? basically that â&#x20AC;&#x153;people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand what marriage is,â&#x20AC;? Archbishop Cordileone said.

CNS | Nancy Phelan Wiechec

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Stay courseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on religious liberty battle

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;No biteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in failed economic message

The work of defending religious liberty will continue more robustly in the face of growing challenges, said the chairman of the U.S. bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty. Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, told his fellow bishops on Nov. 12 that â&#x20AC;&#x153;whatever setbacks or challenges in the efforts to defend religious liberty we may be experiencing, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to stay the course.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Defense of religious freedom requires not just dealing with short-term and mid-term goals, but indeed is a project that requires long-term foundational and formational work,â&#x20AC;? he said. The committee has introduced educational materials aimed at all Catholics, but particularly to young people, Archbishop Lori explained.

Among the activities is a new website â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www. firstamericanfreedom.com â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to explain longstanding Church teaching on religious practice and traditional marriage. Other activities will focus on providing materials to parishes, organizations and interested groups to discuss and learn about Church teaching on religious freedom, he added.

The bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; effort to send a pastoral message of hope in trying economic times came up short of the votes needed Nov. 13, after concerns were raised about its limitations, its expedited process and whether it actually was something that they would use to reach out to people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Hope of the Gospel in Difficult Times: A Pastoral Message on Work, Poverty and the Economyâ&#x20AC;? was set aside. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no sting, no bite to this,â&#x20AC;? said retired Auxiliary Bishop Peter A. Rosazza of Hartford, asking for it to be set aside. He noted there had been no consultation with an economist in the documentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preparation, as requested when the message was commissioned. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we have to teach and challenge where challenge is needed, in the spirit of Amos, Jeremiah, Pope John Paul II and Dorothy Day,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think we have that here.â&#x20AC;?

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Bishops encourage greater use of reconciliation The bishops Nov. 13 overwhelmingly approved, by a vote of 236-1, an exhortation encouraging Catholics to take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation.

The text was prepared by the bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, chaired by Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay, Wis. The exhortation quotes from the Gospel of John after Jesus arose and told the Apostles: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.â&#x20AC;? In so doing, the exhortation says, Jesus was â&#x20AC;&#x153;proclaiming that all the suffering He had just endured was in order to make available the gifts of salvation and forgiveness.â&#x20AC;?

It adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the sacrament of penance and reconciliation, we meet the Lord, who wants to grant forgiveness and the grace to live a renewed life in Him. In this sacrament, He prepares us to receive Him with a lively faith, earnest hope, and sacrificial love in the Eucharist. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, we repent, let go of any pattern of sin, grow in the life of virtue and witness to a joyful conversion.â&#x20AC;?

Liturgy of the Hours, prayers, hymns to be revised Just a year after U.S. Catholics began using the new English translation of the Roman Missal at Masses, the bishops agreed Nov. 13 to begin work on a revision of the Liturgy of the Hours â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including updates to hymns, psalms, various canticles, psalm prayers, some antiphons, biblical readings and other components of the liturgical prayers used at various parts of the day.

Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans, chairman of the Committee on Divine Worship, said the work would probably take three to five years to complete. In presenting the request for a vote to the bishops, Archbishop Aymond said the aim of retranslation would be to more accurately reflect the original Latin texts.

Actions to be taken range from incorporating psalms from the Revised Grail Psalter to having the International Commission on English in the Liturgy retranslate some antiphons, the updated proper of the saints and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Te Deum,â&#x20AC;? a traditional hymn of praise and thanksgiving for the gift of salvation in Christ, as well as revisiting the translation of the Glory Be.

Day sainthood cause endorsed On Nov. 13, the bishops officially endorsed pursuing the sainthood cause of Dorothy Day, cofounder of the Catholic Worker movement based in New York City, the next in a series of steps that must be taken before a cause for canonization may go before the Vatican for consideration.

The bishop promoting her cause is Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, USCCB president. Cardinal Dolan said Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sainthood cause is an opportune moment in the life of the U.S. Church. He called Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey â&#x20AC;&#x153;Augustinian,â&#x20AC;? saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;she was the first to admit it: sexual immorality, there was a religious search, there was a pregnancy out of wedlock, and an abortion. Like Saul on the way to Damascus, she was radically changedâ&#x20AC;? and has become â&#x20AC;&#x153;a saint for our time.â&#x20AC;?

Preaching document OKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d The bishops approved their first new document in 30 years on preaching. The document, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Preaching the Mystery of Faith: The Sunday Homily,â&#x20AC;? encourages preachers to connect the Sunday homily with peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily lives.

Bishop Burbidge named to clergy committee Raleigh Bishop Michael Burbidge was elected chairman-elect of the USCCBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations Nov. 12.

Bishops approve $220M budget, add military services collection The bishops approved a 2013 budget of $220.4 million, up 1.3 percent from the USCCBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2012 budget, and agreed to add a national collection for the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services voluntarily every three years starting in 2013. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Catholic News Service

November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Priest excommunicated for supporting women’s ordination WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has dismissed Roy Bourgeois from the priesthood because of his participation in the invalid ordination of a woman in 2008 and “a simulated Mass,” the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers announced Nov. 19. The order said in a statement the canonical dismissal came Oct. 4. Bourgeois could not be immediately reached for comment.

The statement said, “With patience, the Holy See and the Maryknoll Society have encouraged his reconciliation with the Catholic Church.

Instead, Mr. Bourgeois chose to campaign against the teachings of the Catholic Church in secular and non-Catholic venues. This was done without the permission of the local U.S. Catholic bishops and while ignoring the sensitivities of the faithful across the country. Disobedience and preaching against the teaching of the Catholic Church about women’s ordination led to his excommunication, dismissal and laicization.”

Bishops warn Congress: Don’t let budget cuts hurt poor BALTIMORE — Congressional consideration of budget cutting to avoid the process known as sequestration should avoid hurting the poor and vulnerable in society, warned the chairmen of two committees of the U.S. bishops. In a Nov. 14 letter to Congress, Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., and Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, warned that the goal of addressing long-term deficits “must not be achieved at the expense of the dignity of poor and vulnerable people at home and abroad.”

The sequester is a package of automatic federal spending cuts that would begin taking effect Jan. 1, if Congress doesn’t work out the details of a $1.2 trillion deficit reduction plan.

The cuts would affect military spending, except for what goes to support wars, and other discretionary spending.

The letter from Bishop Blaire and Bishop Pates, who chair the committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development and International Justice and Peace, respectively, of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, outlined moral principles for budgetary deliberations. “Every budget decision,” they said, “should be assessed on whether it protects or threatens human life and dignity,” how it affects “the least of these,” and whether each decision respects shared responsibility of government and other institutions to promote the common good.

The ‘green’ pope: Benedict’s calls for creation care earns notice WASHINGTON, D.C. — Care for creation has been a hallmark of Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy.

From his 2009 encyclical “Caritas in Veritate” (“Charity in Truth”) to his leadership in guiding the Vatican to reduce its carbon footprint, Pope Benedict continues an 800-year Catholic tradition of holding up the environment as a gift from God that must be protected and sustained.

His writings on the environment are so extensive that some Catholics call him the “green” pope.

Taken collectively, Pope Benedict’s unwavering writings on the importance of protecting God’s creation and the need to address climate change offer a starting point for Catholics to respond to the ecological dangers facing the world.

In an effort to consider the fullness of those teachings, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change and The Catholic University of America’s Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies hosted a symposium Nov. 8-10 in Washington, D.C., to examine the U.S. Catholic voice on environmental concerns.

Dan Misleh, executive director of the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, said the time was right for Catholics to share the rich tradition of Catholic teaching on the environment in an effort to shape how the world addresses environmental concerns.

“We do not have time,” he said. “We have to begin to do this. If we don’t do it right, if we’re not faithful to who we are as Catholics, then we cede the issue to the environmental groups. The solutions (they offer) won’t be as attentive to the needs of people, particularly poor people.”

CCHD provides $500,000 grant to aid Hurricane Sandy victims WASHINGTON, D.C. — Victims of Hurricane Sandy along the East Coast are getting an added boost in their recovery under a $500,000 grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The grant will support “people coming together to reorganize the fabric of their communities,” Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, Calif., chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, said Nov. 13.

The funds aim to help “build a resilient support system for those most vulnerable to natural calamities, the poor,” he said.

The subcommittee also introduced a national strategic grant program to address poverty-related issues. Bishop Soto described the initiative as an “innovative approach to poverty” that will complement CCHD’s existing program that supports community-based organizations. More than $2 million will address systemic causes of poverty and empower local communities to implement lasting solutions to the challenges they face. The new program is one of a series of actions developed under CCHD’s “review and renewal” in 2010.

— Catholic News Service

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Our world 24

catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Aid groups gather in Beirut to discuss Syrian refugee crisis

CNS | Abdalghne Karoof, Reuters

A Syrian child is pictured at a refugee camp near the Syrian-Turkish border Oct. 22. Refugees from Syria’s war numbered more than 362,000 in late October.

International aid officials recently met in Lebanon to discuss how to relieve the humanitarian crisis.

BEIRUT — Representatives of 26 humanitarian agencies gathered in Beirut recently to discuss and coordinate efforts to address the increasing Syrian refugee crisis.

Cardinal Robert Sarah, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, who visited with Syrian refugees in the Bekaa Valley, presided over the Nov. 9 meeting.

During the cardinal’s Nov. 6-10 visit, he also met with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and participated in the monthly meeting of the council of Maronite Catholic bishops in Bkerke.

At the meeting sponsored by Caritas, the Church’s charitable agency, the humanitarian organizations agreed to carry out social work for the vulnerable populations inside and outside of Syria, to help alleviate their suffering, including providing medical and spiritual assistance as well as helping them to find shelter and prepare for the winter. The groups also

agreed to institute an efficient coordination system among the Catholic humanitarian organizations to unify their approach on the field. They also stressed the importance of efforts to allow refugee children to continue their education and to recover some kind of routine in their daily lives.

Pope Benedict XVI had hoped to send a delegation of three cardinals, three bishops and a priest to Syria to show solidarity with victims and encourage peace negotiations, but the trip was canceled due to fears of escalating violence. Pope Benedict announced Nov. 7 that he would send Cardinal Sarah to Lebanon to deliver a $1 million donation and boost the Church’s humanitarian response to the crisis.

Syria’s civil war has left thousands dead and has displaced hundreds of thousands of people since March 2011.

— Catholic News Service

Words of wisdom from Pope Benedict XVI over the past week People need stability, hope VATICAN CITY — In a world hit by natural disasters, wars and violence, people need the stability and hope found only in God’s word, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Instead of being obsessed with predictions and forecasts of the end of the world, people of faith need to take responsibility for their lives and personal behavior and look to God for guidance, he said. “In the midst of the upheavals of the world,” Jesus “remains the solid and steady anchor,” he said Nov. 18, commenting on the day’s Gospel reading during his midday Angelus address.

Protecting marriage, human life part of serving common good VATICAN CITY — Catholics are called to serve the common good of society, including by protecting traditional marriage and defending human life, Pope Benedict XVI told bishops from France. Being Catholic means being faithful “to the moral teaching of the Church” and having “the courage to demonstrate their Christian convictions – without arrogance, but with respect,” he said Nov. 17. “With the bishops, they must pay attention to proposals for civil laws that

can undermine: the safeguarding of marriage between a man and a woman, the protection of human life from conception to death, and the correct orientation of bioethics in faithfulness to the documents of the magisterium.”

Health is universal good to be defended, not commoditized VATICAN CITY — Good health is a benefit that needs to be defended and guaranteed for all people, not just for those who can afford it, Pope Benedict XVI said Nov. 17, addressing participants at a conference sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry.

The new evangelization is needed in the health field, especially during the current economic crisis, he said. Hospitals “must rethink their particular role in order to avoid having health become a simple ‘commodity,’ subordinate to the laws of the market, and, therefore, a good reserved to a few, rather than a universal good to be guaranteed and defended,” he said.

Young should welcome Christ’s embrace, share His love VATICAN CITY — When young Catholics from around the world gather in Rio de Janeiro in

Youth Director St. James the Greater Catholic Church St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Concord, NC is seeking a full-time director of Youth Ministry overseeing all religious education/youth ministry programs for middle/high school grades including traditional religious education, Edge and Life Teen along with overseeing the Sacrament of Confirmation and RCIA. Requirements: Candidates are required to be a practicing Catholic, have a Bachelor’s Degree (preferably in theology or catechesis) and youth ministry experience (preferably in Life Teen). Candidates must have strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, excellent organizational and managerial skills and support the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Applicants should send resume and cover letter to Kelli Olszewski, St. James the Greater, 139 Manor Avenue SW, Concord, NC 28025 or kellio@saintjamescatholic.org.

July, they will be under the gaze of the city’s famous statue of Christ with outstretched arms, a reminder of His desire to embrace all people, Pope Benedict XVI said. In his World Youth Day 2013 message, the pope asked young people to welcome Christ’s embrace and share with others the joy of being loved by Him. He encouraged young Catholics to “reread your personal history,” looking at how the faith was passed down to them from previous generations.

He also asked them not to wait to begin the task of sharing their Christian faith with others. “We are links in a great chain of men and women who have transmitted the truth of the faith and who depend on us to pass it on to others.”

Value of human life is logical VATICAN CITY — The universal, natural human reaction to the death of a loved one should show believers and non-believers alike that human life has value, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“The awareness of the sacredness of the life entrusted to us – not as something we can dispose of freely, but as a gift to safeguard faithfully – belongs to the moral heredity of humanity,” the pope wrote in a message to a dialogue between Catholics and non-believers.

The gathering Nov. 16-17 in Portugal was organized by the Pontifical Council for Culture as part of its “Courtyard of the Gentiles” project, bringing thinkers together to discuss topics of concern to society.

While the value of life can be affirmed by

anyone who thinks the matter through logically, he said, for those who believe in God the value of life is even clearer.

Christianity isn’t rules; it’s an encounter with love VATICAN CITY — Far from being just a moral or ethical code, Christianity is “an experience of love; it’s welcoming the person of Jesus,” Pope Benedict XVI said. “Many people today have a limited concept of what the Christian faith is because they identify it with a mere system of beliefs and values and not with the truth of a God revealing Himself in history, eager to communicate with humanity one-on-one in a relationship of love,” he said. Faith “isn’t an illusion, escapism, a comfortable safe haven or sentimentalism.” It is something that engages one’s whole life and it proclaims the Gospel with courage, the pope said Nov. 14 in his weekly audience.

‘It’s wonderful being old’ ROME — Presenting himself as “an elderly man visiting his peers,” the 85-year-old Pope Benedict XVI visited a Rome residence for the elderly Nov. 12, urging the residents to see their age as a sign of God’s blessing and urging society to value their presence and wisdom.

“Though I know the difficulties that come with being our age, I want to say, it’s wonderful being old,” he said.

— Catholic News Service

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November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Bishop: Israel, Hamas must make tough decisions to end violence JERUSALEM — The Israeli government and leaders of Hamas must make courageous decisions to end the violence that has once again forced residents of Southern Israel into their bomb shelters and residents of the Gaza Strip into their homes, said Auxiliary Bishop William Shomali of Jerusalem. “We are sad for this escalation. It does not lead to peace but only leads to more violence,” Bishop Shomali said Nov. 16. “This is a vicious circle of violence, and (retaliation) is really not the solution.

Courageous decisions need to be taken from the part of Israel and also on the part of Hamas not to remain in the circle of retaliation.”

He said simultaneous international intervention from Egypt and the United States is needed if the violence is to stop. “Left alone, Israel and Hamas will remain in a circle of retaliation. The most important thing is to find a comprehensive solution to the whole PalestinianIsraeli conflict; if not, we will remain with the same retaliations and the same problems.”

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said some 120 rockets were fired into southern Israeli communities from Nov. 10 to Nov. 14, when Israel launched air strikes that targeted and killed Hamas military leader Ahmed Jabari.

More than 20 Palestinians and at least three Israelis have died in the violence.

In a Nov. 15 statement, Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal expressed his “deep concern” at the escalation, reiterating that continued violence will not solve the crisis.

Naming of Maronite patriarch as cardinal buoys Lebanese Catholics BEIRUT — Catholics in Lebanon said Pope

Benedict XVI’s naming of Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai as a cardinal reinforces the Church’s support for Christians in the Middle East. The appointment is “a sign of support and affirmation for the Christians of the Middle East and a support for the Christian presence in the region,” Archbishop Paul Sayah, vicar general of the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke, said. “It is a sign of support and affirmation for Lebanon in the present situation the country is going through.

Last but not least, the elevation of Patriarch Rai to the rank of cardinal is a sign of the confidence the Holy See has in the person of His Beatitude and the clear support for his vision and the style of ministry he has been exercising.”

The patriarch is one of six new cardinals who will be elevated in a consistory at the Vatican Nov. 24.

Vatican sets up office for art, architecture, music VATICAN CITY — The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments is establishing an office to promote the development and use of appropriate liturgical art, architecture and music. The new office was approved in early September by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state; final arrangements and the designation of personnel are being made, said Marist Father Anthony Ward, undersecretary of the congregation. The office will provide advice, encouragement and guidance, he said, but it will not attempt to impose specific styles.

“The Church has always adopted local artistic, architectural and music styles,” Father Ward said.

At the same time, as the Second Vatican Council taught, “it always has emphasized Gregorian chant as the homegrown music of the Latin rite.”

While the Pontifical Council for Culture promotes efforts in the area of sacred art and music, the congregation’s new office will focus specifically on art, architecture and music used for Mass and other formal moments of prayer.

The Second Vatican Council document on the liturgy said, “The Church has not adopted any particular style of art as her very own; she has admitted styles from every period according to the natural talents and circumstances of peoples, and the needs of the various rites.”

— Catholic News Service

Seeking healing and forgiveness after an abortion?

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For the past 15 years it has been my pleasure to help the employees of the Diocese of Charlotte plan for a secure retirement.

I would also like to be your trusted financial advisor.

Retirement planning – Life – LTC – Auto & Home Insurance

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Call: 704-839-3755 or email: kaltman1@metlife.com Member: National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA) St. Mark Catholic Church – Huntersville

HISPANIC COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST The Catholic News Herald, a 56,000-circulation newspaper serving the Diocese of Charlotte, N.C., is seeking an experienced bilingual journalist to cover news and events about the local Hispanic Catholic community – writing stories, taking photos, shooting video and audio, etc. – for publication in the Catholic News Herald, in Spanish and in English, and through a variety of other communications channels. This position also involves developing future radio, online and social media communications for and about the Hispanic community.

Candidates must have previous journalism experience, plus a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing or other related field; verbal and written fluency in English and Spanish; proficiency with digital photography and videography, audio and video editing software, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, online content management systems, and social media channels (such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube); familiarity with the Catholic Church and its teachings; attention to detail and accuracy; and ability to work under and meet regular deadlines.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes salary commensurate with experience, health and dental insurance, 403(b) and paid holidays. EOE Please submit resume to: Patricia Guilfoyle, Editor, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org.

No phone calls, please.

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Upcoming Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat - (open to both men and women) CHARLOTTE AREA: February 1–3, 2013 Info: Maggi – 704-370-3229 mnadol@charlottediocese.org

You may also want to visit Rachel’s Vineyard Web site at www.rachelsvineyard.org.

Come with old friends or meet new ones as we “escape winter” and explore this new, exciting travel destination – the Dominican Republic! Fly non-stop to our Caribbean beach and luxury resort surrounded by palms.

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Relax by the enormous winding pool or in the Jacuzzis. Walk on the powdery white sands or float in the crystal blue sea. Try exciting new water sports, tennis or the private jogging trail. Spoil yourself by dining in 8 international restaurants -- and choose your favorite of the 10 bars, each with its own kind of fun! This all-inclusive vacation takes you away to an unforgettable experience!

Plus, we also will have daily Mass (subject to space availability) with our own diocesan priest!

Rates are $1109 to $1249 per person (all-inclusive) double occupancy, depending on your choice of accommodations. Singles are available, too.

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A $150 deposit holds your space today – but don’t wait! Only limited group space can be held and your airfare (cost to be quoted at registration) may go up closer to deadline.

For info or a brochure, call Cindi Feerick, diocesan travel coordinator: (980) 230-7430.

For reservations, call AAA’s Henry Dennis: (704) 318-4222, ext. 13611 hddennis@mailaaa.com

ViewPoints 26

catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Sr. Constance Carolyn Veit

With humble hearts, remember the source of our blessings

W

hen President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday on Oct. 3, 1863, he made a telling reflection. “The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies,” he proclaimed. But he also noted that “these bounties … are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come.”

How well Lincoln understood human nature – when life is going well, don’t we all tend to take things for granted, forgetting the source of our blessings?

St. Jeanne Jugan, foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, never forgot the source from whom her blessings came. She had a deeply grateful heart in both good times and bad, repeating the same refrain in every circumstance: “We must always say ‘Blessed be God! Thank you, my God! Glory be to God!’ ” At the end of her life she would say, “God has always blessed me because I have greatly thanked His Providence.”

Jeanne Jugan taught the first Little Sisters to express their gratitude to their benefactors by praying for them every day. A Little Sister who was close to St. Jeanne said, “When she spoke about the benefactors, you could feel that she had, as it were, a cult of gratitude; and all those who helped her had a large part in her prayers.”

What was most striking about this “cult of gratitude” was that it extended even to those who did not, or could not, help her.

Another Little Sister left this charming anecdote from her childhood: “What struck me most forcefully, when Jeanne used to come to my father’s house, was her gratitude, her way of saying thank you and her calm expression, whether people gave or refused. ‘Jeanne,’ I would say, ‘Mummy has sent me to tell you that there is nothing for you today, neither desserts, nor leftovers. Nothing at all.’ … ‘Very well, thank you, miss, thank you all the same.

That will be for another time. Thank your mummy kindly. I know she would like to fill my basket if she could.’ When she left, she could not have looked any happier than if she had obtained a fortune.”

What was at the heart of St. Jeanne’s spirit of gratitude? Humility. A grateful heart is born of a humble soul. God is All and we are nothing – without Him. The good news is that God longs to fill us with His gifts. Everything we have and are is a gift from God, who loves us without measure.

As we gather with our loved ones this Thanksgiving, let’s take a few moments to reflect on our blessings and thank the Source from whom they come. Then we can pass the turkey.

Sister Constance Carolyn Veit is the communications director for the Little Sisters of the Poor.

David Hains

Suffer the children A

media’s often one-sided coverage of the amendment.

The welfare of children was entirely absent from the arguments of those who favor same-sex unions. Why? Because children matter less to couples who cannot create them. Yes, I know there are wonderful gay people who have adopted children or who raise children from a previous heterosexual relationship.

May God bless any adult who inspires and nurtures a child. But here’s a news flash: Those children are a lucky minority.

The latest evidence on this, the peer-reviewed Regnerus Study from the University of Texas, shows that children raised in same-sex households are at a much higher risk for drug abuse, sexual victimization, suicidal thoughts and unemployment than children raised by a loving mother and father.

By contrast there are The definition of Statutory or judicial State law permits State constitution State law defines marriage is not recognition of same-sex unions defines marriage as marriage as between library shelves full of addressed by state same-sex unions that only between a man a man and a woman studies like the “Fourth law or constitution has not yet taken and a woman Washington effect National Incidence For: 1,312,061 47% Against: 1,495,893 53% Study of Child Abuse and Neglect” confirming Minnesota a mounting body of For: 1,399,676 47% social science that tells Against: 1,510,368 53% WA Maine us that children do best MT For: 333,026 47% ME ND Against: 369,319 53% when they are raised in MN OR VT an intact, loving home NH ID WI SD MA NY headed by their married WY MI CT RI parents.

IA PA As the secular media NE NJ NV Maryland OH MD paint a rosy picture of DE For: 1,206,486 48% IL UT IN D.C. Against: 1,307,609 52% CO the growing approval WVA CA VA KS MO KY for same-sex unions, we should be asking NC TN North Carolina (May 2012) AZ OK some pointed questions.

For: 1,317,178 61% NM AR SC Against: 840,802 39% Is it a good idea to MS GA fundamentally change AL an institution, created TX LA in natural law for the AK FL betterment of human beings, just because a HI small group of people Traditional marriage is still the status quo On Nov. 6, voters in Maine, Washington and Maryland voted against traditional marriage, allowing same-sex unions. claim a “right” that does Sources: Map: Catholic News Service; State vote totals: each state's secretary of state or board of elections offices, and for Maine, the Minnesota voters turned down a constitutional amendment that would have protected traditional marriage. These not exist? And more Bangor Daily News states join six other states and the District of Columbia where same-sex unions are legal.

Until the most recent FOR – In favor of traditional marriage importantly, what should election, voters in 35 states had voted for the protection of traditional marriage.

AGAINST – Supports same-sex unions marriage mean for children?

Children are an easy target for discrimination, neglect and taxicab, complete with the baby-on-board sticker, to sports abuse. They can’t vote, they don’t have money, and except for practice, dance lessons or band camp after a long day of work games of hide and seek they don’t know how to organize. They would readily agree. depend on the goodwill of others to survive and to thrive.

I wonder if recent referendum results on the question of That goodwill comes best from the people who naturally care: same-sex unions indicate that the child-adult relationship the adults who give them life. The parent-child connection is going to change in ways that threaten children. I fear the – creating a family bond through the sacramental union of growing population of voters who think same-sex unions are marriage – is just as important as the husband-wife relationship. no different than marriage because the adults love each other.

Marriage is about the complementary, self-giving relationship Gay unions affect the relationship between adults and children between a man and a woman, and the divine gift of children that and the children often matter less - making the child more of an their union can produce. afterthought than a gift.

Same-sex unions are about adults only – what they want and Passage of referenda in Maryland, Maine and Washington how they can satisfy their needs. Children are an accessory or will allow same-sex unions, and the loss of a ballot initiative perhaps an impediment, who often are neither seen nor heard in Minnesota that would have enshrined traditional marriage except in their anguish. in the state constitution are all being hailed as progress and a At last week’s meeting of the U.S. bishops in Baltimore, movement away from discrimination against the gay lifestyle.

Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco offered Wow! Sounds great for some adults. Not so much for kids. words of encouragement to those who want to protect marriage, Once again, as with the abortion debate, the needs and welfare saying, “This work is not in vain.” He pointed out that the of children are pushed aside in favor of an adult “right.” same-sex union measures passed by slim margins, especially in During North Carolina’s recent marriage amendment comparison to past votes that overwhelmingly favored marriage. campaign, I represented the state’s two bishops on the steering The archbishop noted, “This is not a time to give up, but rather a committee that worked to support traditional marriage. I time to redouble our efforts.” Amen. monitored discussions, blog posts and advertising of those who opposed the amendment. I spoke at forums where both sides David Hains is the diocesan director of communication. of the issue were discussed. I provided balance to the secular s a new grandfather, I have been reflecting on how the childadult relationship has changed during my lifetime. I grew up in an adult-centered culture. Children had chores; we were expected to keep quiet. The needs of adults came first. This was actually an improvement over past generations in which children were often treated as chattel and were put to work in factories at young ages.

Growing up I was often told, “Children should be seen, not heard.” This was a cue for me to stop whatever I was doing and to find an adult-free place as fast as possible.

By contrast the children of boomers, mine included, grew up in a more child-centered world. Any parent who runs the family

State of Marriage

November 23, 2012 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Deacon James H. Toner

Father Joshua Voitus

True friendship:

Rules, rituals and rigidities

Model for our relationship with God

M

isuse of the word “friend” in our modern society is unfortunate: friendship has been diluted to include mere acquaintances, even people on the internet whom we might not even really know. A lack of proper understanding of friendship diminishes our ability to form true spiritual friendships with people here on earth. But even more tragic is that this misunderstanding of friendship also has the potential to damage our relationship with God. At their core, authentic friendships – like any relationship based on love – involve two or more people who seek the good of the other. True friends, then, aside from sharing common interests and enjoying each other’s company (of course, which is important, as you cannot truly build a friendship without spending time with the other), build each other up in word and in action.

This building up reaches its peak and perfection in each friend assisting the other, not only in earthly tasks and trials, but in reaching the ultimate good of heaven.

Think, then, how important true friends are in our journey home to God! They will not only encourage us in our following of Christ, but they will also admonish us when we fail to live as we ought.

As St. Ambrose tells us in “On the Duties of the Clergy,” “(R)ebukes are good, and often better than a silent friendship ... for the ‘wounds of a friend are better than the kisses of flatterers.’ (Proverbs 27:6) Rebuke, then, your erring friend ... for friendship ought to be steadfast and to rest firm in true affection.”

A true friend will, therefore, love us enough to share in our joy and encourage us in virtue, and also have concern enough for us to correct us when we stray from the true path. For our part, if we are to be good friends, we must have the courage to do the same. Friendship, then, involves not only joy and happiness, but, at times, a sense of sacrifice when we might have to put aside our own desires to rebuke a friend or – far more painfully – humbly receive a rebuke from a true friend.

We must, therefore, recognize that friendship, in its authentic sense, is more than merely liking somebody’s company or having mutual interests. It implies a certain mutual exchange of love and concern for the good of the other, even to the point of a certain sacrifice of time or comfort. This exchange not only aids and supports us in our quest to grow in virtue and struggle against sin, but it can become a model in this life for our relationship with God Himself.

Our misunderstanding of the nature of authentic human friendship may potentially lead us to a misunderstanding of what God calls us to when He says He desires to be our friend.

Yes, God invites us to friendship with Himself: “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends.” (John 15:15).

I can think of no higher calling than to be a friend of God Himself. Yet, if we misunderstand the nature of true friendship, then we run the risk of misunderstanding the nature of the relationship to which God is calling us.

A true friendship is, among other qualities, a mutual exchange of love and concern for the other. God, for His part, has demonstrated this love and concern in countless ways. He has done so in the act of our creation, in His revealing of Himself and His Will through the law and through Christ (who is the very word of God and is God Himself), and, ultimately in the sacrifice of the Cross, for “greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

(John 15:13) Even God, like a true friend, rebukes us when we go astray so that we may return to Him in love.

This free gift of God is wonderful, but if we are to be true friends of God, it is not enough for us to passively “like” what He has done for us as we would a “friend” on Facebook. Rather, we are called to an active response to His love – a response of love which impels us to follow God, even sacrificing ourselves and our desires to serve Him, just as we would a true friend.

Christ Himself says much the same thing when He tells the Apostles, “you are my friends if you do what I command you.”

(John 15:14) To be friends of God, we must treat Him as we would a true friend. We must spend time with Him in prayer (especially prayer before the Blessed Sacrament). We must study scripture and the teachings of the Church to learn His will (much like we would seek to find out the desire of our friend), and follow His will, even to the point of giving up anything which might separate us from Him. Then may we call ourselves true friends of God: people who know Him, love Him and serve Him, and who give thanks for all that He has done for us in friendship and in love.

Thus we can see how all true friendship is based on the love of God. All true friends will seek to guide each other, ultimately, to the supreme good which is God. They will do so even if it means discomfort or sacrifice. They will place the other person before themselves.

By doing so, they provide a mirror and an example for the friendship to which God calls each one of us. Let us pray that we may be blessed by God with true friends in this life, and that we share in the joy of perfect friendship with Him now and in the life to come.

‘Friendship is more than merely liking somebody’s company or having mutual interests.’

Father Joshua Voitus is the parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte. Read the Nov. 9 companion reflection on friendship by Sister Mary Raphael of the Divine Physician, PCPA, online at www. catholicnewsherald.com.

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A

mong the common objections to the Catholic faith is the idea that the Church has too many rules and rituals and that its teachings are too rigid.

“You Catholics have too many rules!” Watch a group of children begin a game. The first thing they do is to establish, well, rules. Customs, rules and laws are basic to every human effort and enterprise. Play the game of baseball without rules.

Remove the traffic light from a busy intersection. Teach a high school or college course without guidelines. The result would be chaos. Some rules are administrative (class starts at 10 a.m.); some are directive (the term paper will be at least 10 pages long); some are ethical (cheating in any form is intolerable).

About 50 A.D., the question came to a head of whether Gentiles had to be circumcised, as the Law of Moses required, to enter the Church. The Council of Jerusalem (see Acts 15) ruled that circumcision should not be required of Gentile converts to the Christian faith. Every friendship, every marriage, every organization, every country has laws, and the Church is hardly unique in having rules. A good law, St. Thomas Aquinas said, is an ordinance, or rule, of reason for the common good, published by appropriate authority.

Reasonable customs, rules and laws help to form and educate us. They are for our good. Our parents gave us rules when we were children. Our teachers and coaches established strict expectations for us. So, too, does the Church guard and guide us by publishing rules, dating to the Ten Commandments, to help us grow in faith, hope and love.

“You Catholics love ritual!” Yes, we do! Ritual, too, is part of life. The dictionary tells us that ritual is “an established and prescribed pattern of observance.” We teach (or used to teach) children manners. Every society has standards of etiquette.

Baseball players never talk to a pitcher who is throwing a no-hitter.

Soldiers who are under arms wear covers (hats). We say “excuse me” when we walk in front of people. We have rituals when people are born, are suffering or have died.

The liturgy is the public worship of the Church. It gives glory to God through prayer. It helps to build the Catholic community around the world. It instructs all of us, in word and sacrament, about Christ’s saving message. Liturgy, though, is not exclusively intellectual: it actually involves all of our senses, often including beautiful music. Both the Ordinary and Extraordinary

Forms of the Mass can and should be, not “mechanical,” but majestic celebrations of the mysteries of Our Savior.

Smells and bells? Yes! It is a surprise to some that incense is biblical (Malachi 1:11, Psalm 141:2, Revelation 8:3-5), symbolizing prayer rising to God. The ringing of bells is biblical (Exodus 28:33-35, Zechariah 14:20), meaning that The Holy is present.

Vestments are biblical (Exodus 28:2-4), representing the sacred duties of the ordained, and the liturgical colors of black, green, red, violet and white help us understand the particular season or the special focus of the Mass. As Protestant minister Scott Hahn discovered on his journey to Catholicism, the Mass is the perfect biblical prayer. (See “Rome Sweet Home” by Scott and Kimberly Hahn.)

Watch any sport. If you do not understand its rules and rituals, the contest is nonsense – a mere scramble of players for runs or points or goals.

If you do understand the sport, you can appreciate the athletic and even artistic talent of the players, the strategy unfolding before you, and the subtlety of the game or match.

Uninformed people, even – sad to say – some Catholics, have hardly any idea of the majesty of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. With education comes understanding and appreciation, and, finally, great gratitude for the sacred liturgy (see Matthew 26:2630, Mark 14:22-26 and Luke 22:1420). Please consider the fine books “Understanding the Mystery of the Mass” by Father Matthew Buettner, pastor of St. Dorothy Church in Lincolnton, and “Sacred Then and Sacred Now” (about the Latin Mass)

by Thomas E. Woods Jr. “You Catholics are too rigid and don’t think for yourselves!” If by “rigid,” you mean “configured to Christ and His Church” (see Romans 12:2), I hope so. Catholics are supposed to have the “Mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16). Because we Catholics believe that the Church is the bride of Christ (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 796) and because we know we are “subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer (our) own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings” (CCC 1783), we know we need divine teaching, which comes from the Church.

If you’re intrigued by the Catholic Church, please inquire with the nearest parish. If you have left the Church, welcome home! Come any time. The Blessed Mother will leave the light on for you.

Deacon James H. Toner serves at Our Lady of Grace in Greensboro.

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 23, 2012 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CREED: FROM PAGE 2

wanted to settle the date for celebrating Easter, and they had to contend with various practical problems such as usury and self-castration.

On May 20, 325, the council opened. It is likely they had a draft from Bishop Hosius of Cordova to consider, as several creeds were already in use by Christians to identify themselves, and as a means of inclusion and recognition, especially at baptism. In Rome, for example, the Apostles’ Creed was popular.

After being in session for an entire month, the council promulgated on June 19 the original Nicene Creed, written in Greek. All but two of the bishops, who were Arian sympathizers, approved the text. Those two bishops, as well as Arius, were excommunicated and exiled.

Besides the creed, the council decided that the date for Easter should be calculated uniformly and separate from the Jewish calendar, using the lunar calendar

instead. But it took centuries for the calculations to be worked out in practice, and disagreement remains between Catholics in the West and Orthodox in the East.

The council also promulgated 20 new church laws, called canons. These included: prohibiting self-castration (which some had thought was a path to greater holiness), prohibiting young women from entering a cleric’s home; requiring bishops to be ordained in the presence of at least three other bishops; prohibiting the removal of priests; forbidding usury among the clergy; determining the order of bishops, then priests, then deacons receiving Holy Communion; declaring invalid any baptisms done by heretics; acknowledging the special authority of the patriarchs of Rome, Alexandria and Antioch in their respective regions; and setting a minimum time frame for catechumens to prepare for baptism.

The long-term effects of the Council of Nicaea were significant. For the first time, leaders of the Church convened to agree on a doctrinal statement. In the short term, however, the council did not stamp out the heresy it was convened to discuss, and upheaval continued for some time even after Arius himself died.

It was only a few years after the Council of Nicaea that Arius returned to Constantinople and asked to be readmitted to the Church. But Arius did not renounce his heresy, so the Church refused. Emperor Constantine intervened in the dispute, setting a date for Arius to attend Mass and be forcibly readmitted to Communion.

While he was waiting for Constantine to arrive so he could go into Mass, Arius stopped to relieve himself. His bowels burst out of his body, and he died instantly.

The Nicene Creed did not become a part of Mass until the early 6th century, when Patriarch Timothy of Constantinople started the practice to combat heresy.

Its popularity spread throughout the Byzantine Empire, then to Spain, France and northern Europe. In 1114 Emperor Henry II, who had come to Rome for his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor, was surprised that they did not recite the creed.

He was told that since Rome had never erred in matters of faith there was no need for the Romans to proclaim it at Mass.

However, it was included in deference to

the new emperor and has pretty much remained ever since – not at daily Mass, but on Sundays and feast days.

The Nicene Creed expressed what the early leaders of the Church found to be Biblical, traditional and orthodox in their Christian faith – a faith in Jesus Christ that we continue to proclaim 1,700 years later.

— Sources: The Catholic Encyclopedia, “The Seven Ecumenical Councils of the Undivided Church” edited

by Philip Schaff, David Bennett of Ancient and Future Catholics, Dr. Steve Brandt of Columbia University (New York), Wikipedia

Director of Faith Formation St. James the Greater Catholic Church St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Concord, NC is seeking a fulltime Director of Faith Formation, managing all religious education for PreK – 5th grade including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (PreK-6 yrs old), traditional Faith Formation, Reconciliation/First Holy Communion Sacramental Preparation, overseeing Adult Education and Protecting God’s Children.

Requirements: practicing Catholic, possess excellent oral and written communication skills, a Bachelor Degree in Catechetics with a minor degree in Theology is preferred. Experience – through internship, summer programs relating to degree or life experience will be considered.

Interested candidates please email your resume and cover letter to Patti Andruzzi at pattia@saintjamescatholic.org or send to 139 Manor Avenue SW, Concord, NC 28025.

Retirement Fund for Religious Like thousands of senior religious, Sister of St. Joseph Rita McNally, 88, has spent her life serving others. Today, she and some 34,000 elder Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests benefit from the Retirement Fund for Religious. Your gift provides funding for prescription medications, nursing care, and more. Please be generous.

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