Aug. 17, 2018

August 17, 2018

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

Lifelong St. Leo parishioner leaves lasting legacy to his church 5

Crossing a threshold

‘You are his mission’

Deacons renew promises; 15 men begin formation for the diaconate 3, 9

First-time pastor Father Christian installed in Tryon

6

INDEX

Contact us..................................... 4 Español......................................9-12 Events calendar............................ 4 Our Faith........................................ 2 Our Parishes............................. 3-8 Scripture readings....................... 2 TV & Movies..................................13 U.S. news................................. 14-15 Viewpoints.............................. 18-19 World news.............................. 16-17

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Church leaders urge inquiry into abuse claims against Archbishop McCarrick

Líderes de fe defienden familias inmigrantes

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5, 10

INSIDE

Our annual Back to School Guide

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope Francis

Fear, uncertainty lead to a ‘do-ityourself ’ religion

L

ike the ancient Israelites, Christians today also can fall into the temptation of creating their own idols when difficulties and uncertainties arise, Pope Francis said.

“To escape precariousness human nature looks for a ‘do-it-yourself’ religion.

If God does not show Himself, we create a tailor-made god,” the pope said Aug. 8 during his weekly general audience.

Continuing his series of audience talks about the Ten Commandments, Pope Francis said he wanted to return to the theme of his previous week’s talk on idolatry because “it is very important to know this.”

He reflected on the reading from the book of Exodus in which the Israelites ask Aaron to build a golden calf to worship while Moses was on the mountain receiving the commandments.

Moses’ absence, the pope explained, triggered insecurities and anxieties in the people, leading to the creation of the idol that embodied “the desires that give the illusion of freedom but instead enslave.”

“The calf had a double meaning in the ancient East. On one hand, it represented fruitfulness and abundance; on the other hand, energy and strength. But above all, it was made of gold because it is a symbol of wealth.

Success, power and money. These are the temptations of all time,” he said.

Idolatry, he continued, stems from the inability to trust in God. In the absence of this trust, Christians lack the strength to resist succumbing to doubt in times of uncertainty and precariousness.

Without God, he added, it “is easy to fall into idolatry and be content with meager reassurances.”

“Freeing the people from Egypt wasn’t so difficult for God. He did it with signs of power and love,” the pope said. “But God’s greatest work was to remove Egypt from the heart of the people; that is, to remove idolatry from the heart of the people. God continues to work to remove it from our hearts.”

God chose to save humanity through the weakness of Christ’s suffering on the cross and “that by our own weaknesses, we can open ourselves to God’s salvation.”

“Our healing comes from the One who made Himself poor, who accepted failure, who took away our precariousness to fill us with love and strength,” the pope said. “He comes to reveal to us God’s fatherhood. In Christ, our frailty is no longer a curse but a place of encounter with the Father and source of strength from above.”

St. Pius X, ‘Pope of the Blessed Sacrament’ Feast day: Aug. 21 Pope Pius X, born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the first pope elected in the 20th century. The 257th pope was elected in 1903 and died 11 years later in 1914, just as World War I was erupting.

He was born on June 2, 1835, at Riese, near Venice, one of 10 children in a poor family. He felt a calling to be a priest at a young age and was ordained in 1858. After 26 years, he was named bishop of Mantua, Italy, and in 1893, he became patriarch of Venice.

His papal motto was “Instaurare Omnia in Christo,” or “to restore all things in Christ.” As pope, he advocated frequent and even daily reception of the Eucharist (which scandalized his critics) and in 1910 he decreed that the age of first Holy Communion should be lowered from 12 to 7, “the age of reason or discretion.” He hoped that, by lowering the age of first Holy Communion, children and their parents would be able to fortify their relationship with Christ, and he flatly rejected the heresy that the Eucharist was a reward for virtue instead of a remedy for human frailty.

He encouraged the reading of the Bible among laypeople, reformed the liturgy, promoted clear and simple homilies, and brought back Gregorian chant. He revised the Breviary, reorganized the curia, and initiated the first-ever codification of Church law (which would be completed in 1917, after his death).

He strongly defended the Church against the heresies of indifferentism and relativism. He also waged an unwavering war against modernism – warning in a 1907 encyclical “Pascendi Dominici Gregis” (better known as “On the Doctrine of the Modernists”) of the dangers that this atheistic philosophical movement posed by rejecting tradition and promoting revolution in all aspects of civic life.

He was known for rejecting many of the trappings of the papal office and simplifying papal ceremonies. He abolished the custom of the pope dining alone, which had been established by Pope Urban VIII, and invited his friends to eat with him.

Pope Pius X is pictured in this undated photograph.

He also developed a reputation as being very friendly with children. He carried candy in his pockets to give street children in Mantua and Venice, and taught catechism to them. During papal audiences, he would gather children around Palace with refugees after the Italian government delayed coming him and talk to them about things that interested them. His to their aid. weekly catechism lessons in the courtyard of San Damaso in the During his pontificate, many famed Marian images were Vatican always included a special place for children, and his decree granted a canonical coronation, including the Our Lady of requiring the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) catechism Aparecida, Our Lady of Chiquinquira of Colombia and Our Lady program in every parish was partly motivated by a desire to of Carmel of New York. reclaim children from religious ignorance.

He died on Aug. 20, 1914, of natural causes reportedly In 1908, Pius X lifted the United States out of its missionary aggravated by worries over the beginning of World War I. His last status, in recognition of the growth of the American church. will and testament bears the striking sentence: “I was born poor, I Fifteen dioceses were created in the U.S. during his pontificate, have lived in poverty, and I wish to die poor.” and he named two American cardinals. He was very popular He was canonized by Pope Pius XII on May 29, 1954. Because among American Catholics, partly due to his poor background, of his devotion to the Eucharist and his promotion of frequent which made him appear to them as an ordinary person who was Holy Communion, he is celebrated as the “Pope of the Blessed on the papal throne.

Sacrament.”

After an earthquake in Messina in 1908, he filled the Apostolic — CNA/EWTN, www.catholiconline.org and Wikipedia

Your daily Scripture readings AUG. 19-25

Sunday: Proverbs 9:1-6, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58; Monday (St. Bernard): Ezekiel 24:15-23, Deuteronomy 32:18-21, Matthew 19:16-22; Tuesday (St. Pius X): Ezekiel 28:1-10, Deuteronomy 32:26-28, 30, 35-36, Matthew 19:23-30; Wednesday (The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Ezekiel 34:1-11, Matthew 20:1-16; Thursday (St. Rosa of Lima): Ezekiel 36:23-28, Matthew 22:1-14; Friday (St. Bartholomew): Revelation 21:9-14, John 1:45-51; Saturday (St. Louis, St. Joseph Calasanz): Ezekiel 43:1-7, Matthew 23:1-12

AUG. 26-SEPT. 1

Sunday: Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18, Ephesians 5:21-32, John 6:60-69; Monday (St. Monica): 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12, Matthew 23:13-22; Tuesday (St. Augustine): 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 14-17, Matthew 23:23-26; Wednesday (The Passion of St. John the Baptist): 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18, Mark 6:17-29; Thursday: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Matthew 24:42-51; Friday: 1 Corinthians 1:17-25, Matthew 25:1-13; Saturday: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Matthew 25:1430

SEPT. 2-8

Sunday: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8, James 1:1718, 21-22, 27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23; Monday (St. Gregory the Great): 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Luke 4:16-30; Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 2:1016, Luke 4:31-37; Wednesday (St. Teresa of Calcutta): 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Luke 4:38-44; Thursday: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23, Luke 5:1-11; Friday: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Luke 5:33-39; Saturday (The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Micah 5:1-4, Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

Our parishes

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Lay Ministry classes to begin this fall

Bishop Peter Jugis accepted 15 candidates into the permanent diaconate formation program Aug. 10 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Crossing a threshold 15 men begin formation for the permanent diaconate SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Standing before their bishop and a first-class relic of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, more than 60 permanent deacons reaffirmed their ordination promises and then watched as 15 men were admitted as candidates for the diaconate Aug. 10, the feast day of their patron saint.

Bishop Peter Jugis offered the Mass for the deacons, an annual event at St. Patrick Cathedral that celebrates the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Charlotte and every four years ushers in a new class of potential future deacons.

Bishop Jugis addressed his homily first to the permanent deacons, then to the 15 men who are beginning their journey towards possible ordination as deacons.

“The diaconate is a great ministry of service in the Church and Jesus’ own words continue to inspire deacons to follow His example of serving,” he said, quoting from the Gospel of Matthew 20:28: “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

“It is in that spirit of service, inspired

by Christ, that you deacons come today to affirm again the promises of your ordination.”

He reminded them that in the prayer of ordination which had consecrated them as deacons, the bishop prayed that they practice Christian virtues, especially showing concern for the sick and the poor, and that they exercise their authority with humility and love.

“And so we ask the Lord again today to bless you, that these Gospel virtues that your bishop prayed over you in that prayer of consecration on the day of your ordination, that those virtues continue to shine forth in your lives of service as servants of the altar, as servants of the Word and as servants of charity,” he continued.

The bishop then turned his attention to the 15 men admitted to the rite of candidacy: Ronald Ascencio, Joseph Becker, Eduardo Bernal, Carl Brown, Margarito Franco, Charles Hindbaugh, Hugh Holland, Todd Labonte, John Langlois, Thomas Martin, William Melton Jr., Richard Michaels, Francisco Pina, Herbert Quintanilla and Joseph Smith.

“And you men, who today are being admitted to candidacy for holy orders, we ask the good Lord also to bless you with these Gospel virtues, that those virtues will continue during the course of your formation to be perfected in you.”

In the rite of admission to candidacy, he explained to them, the men formally become candidates for the sacrament of holy orders, offering themselves “to God and to the Church for sacred ministry.”

The men have already achieved several requirements to get to this point – including completing the two-year Lay Ministry Formation Program and, with their wives, a year of discernment called aspirancy.

They were helped along the way by a team of 30 deacons and deacons’ wives, who assisted them in their discernment process and gave presentations on prayer, spirituality and diaconal ministry.

“I am grateful for the team of deacons and their wives that assisted in this discernment process,” said Deacon Scott Gilfillan, director of formation for the permanent diaconate. “It was an amazing aspirancy team and made an invaluable contribution helping the aspirant couples.”

“I am also impressed with the openness and sincerity of new candidates and their wives,” he added. “I am really looking

forward to working with them as they continue this journey of discernment and formation toward being a deacon or a wife of a deacon,” he said.

The journey of discernment now continues, Bishop Jugis encouraged the 15 candidates.

“You are crossing a threshold into a period of more intense formation. Things are different now. The Lord gives you special graces now as candidates for holy orders as you pursue the Lord’s call to the permanent diaconate.”

Jesus has brought them this far along their path already, the bishop assured them, and He wants them to offer themselves to Him and to the formation program and to the Church as He leads them through the coming years of formation.

Spend time in prayer listening to what Jesus may be calling them to, he said.

“You are blessed to have the support of your wives, your families and your friends, and the support of the Church to help you on this path,” he said. “If it is God’s will, one day you will be at the priest’s side at the altar, assisting him as he offers the sacrifice of the Mass.”

Candidate Tim Martin said he is excited to be following in his father’s footsteps in considering the diaconate, after many years of thinking about it.

“My dad was a deacon. He was ordained in 1981, and being in the pew as he would give his homilies and talk about our family meant a lot to me,” Martin said.

Deacon John Martino, director of the diocesan Permanent Diaconate Program, observed that “in the affirmation of promises and in the rite of candidacy we see the present and the future of the Church of Charlotte.

“God has truly blessed all of us!”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos and video highlights from the annual deacons Mass

CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Lay Ministry Formation Program, a two-year formation program for laity, will begin a new session this fall.

The Lay Ministry Formation Program is designed to help Catholics better understand their faith so they may better respond to their baptismal call to participate in the Church’s mission. This program is designed for adults at all levels – anyone who may be interested in serving the Church or who simply wants to deepen their understanding of Church teachings, scripture, theology and authentic spirituality.

Through the formation program, which follows the academic year and is comprised of 150 class hours, participants will develop their skills and abilities to become more active signs of Christ’s presence among all of God’s people.

Participants will: n appreciate and understand more fully that they are called to and gifted for the lay apostolate by virtue of their baptism and confirmation, n be affirmed and grow in competence and confidence in their present ministries to and with others: the Church, their families and the community, n explore their personal gifts and how those gifts may be used in response to their baptismal call, and n grow in their Catholic faith There are five proposed sites for the 2018-’20 English program (based on a minimum number of participants): Arden, Charlotte, Greensboro, Lenoir and Sylva.

Classes will meet on designated Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. with an hour for lunch. Sessions average about one every three weeks within the academic year.

There are two proposed sites for the 2018-’20 Spanish program (based on a minimum number of participants): Charlotte and Hendersonville. Classes will meet 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays in Charlotte and 7-9 p.m. Fridays in Hendersonville.

Participants must be registered at a parish, provide a letter of recommendation from their pastor, commit to actively practicing their Catholic faith, and agree to begin praying part of the Liturgy of the Hours daily as a piece of their regular, planned prayer life.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

For details For more information and to enroll in the Lay Ministry Formation Program, call Frank Villaronga, diocesan director of evangelization and adult education, at 704-370-3274 or go online to www. charlottediocese.org/ev/adult-education.

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: AUG. 18 – 5:30 P.M. Pastor Installation of Father Peter Leonard, OSFS Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, High Point AUG. 20-22 Provincial Assembly of Bishops and Priests Charleston, S.C.

AUG. 25 – 5 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. John Neumann Church, Charlotte

AUG. 28 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Holy Trinity Church, Taylorsville

AUG. 26 – 5:30 P.M. Solemn Vespers and Blessing of the Cassocks St. Joseph College Seminary, Charlotte

AUG. 30 – 10 A.M. Diocesan Foundation Board Meeting Catholic Conference Center SEPT. 1 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Francis of Assisi Church, Jefferson

Diocesan calendar of events August 17, 2018

CONFERENCES

Volume 27 • NUMBER 23

RESPECT LIFE CONFERENCE: 9-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept.

29, at Bishop McGuinness High School, 1725 NC-66, Kernersville. Keynote speaker is Teresa Stanton Collett, a professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law where she serves as director of the school’s prolife center. An advocate for the protection of human life and family, Collett specializes in the subjects of marriage, religion and bioethics in her research. Bishop Peter Jugis will celebrate the closing Mass at 4 p.m. at Bishop McGuinness High School Chapel. For details and to register, go to www.ccdoc.org/respectlife or contact Jessica Grabowski at jrgrabowski@charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3229.

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

STAFF 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 HISPANIC COMMUNICATIONS REPORTER: Cesar Hurtado, 704-370-3375, rchurtado@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Erika Robinson, 704-370-3333, catholicnews@ charlottediocese.org

THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 26 times a year.

NEWS: The Catholic News Herald welcomes your news and photos. Please e-mail information, attaching photos in JPG format with a recommended resolution of 150 dpi or higher, to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org. All submitted items become the property of the Catholic News Herald and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives.

ADVERTISING: Reach 165,000 Catholics across western North Carolina! For advertising rates and information, 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.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 per year for all registered parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte and $23 per year for all others.

POSTMASTER: Periodicals class postage (USPC 007-393) paid at Charlotte, N.C. Send address corrections to the Catholic News Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING NFP INTRODUCTION AND FULL COURSE: 1:30-5 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 18, St. Aloysius Church, 921 2nd Street, NE, Hickory. Topics include: effectiveness of modern NFP, health risks of popular contraceptives and what the Church teaches about responsible parenting. Sponsored

by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. RSVP to Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN, at 704-370-3230.

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS ST. PEREGRINE HEALING PRAYER SERVICE: 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 23, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer and grave diseases. The healing prayer service is offered for all those suffering with cancer or other diseases. For details, contact the parish office at 704-543-7677.

POLISH MASS IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA, ST. JOHN PAUL II, ST. MARIA FAUSTINA KOWALSKA AND BLESSED FATHER SOPOCKO: 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. Polish Father Matt Nycz will be celebrant and Deacon James Witulski will assist. The seventh-annual Mass will be in Polish with the homily given in both English and Polish. This Mass will fulfill your Sunday obligation. Confessions in Polish and English will be heard beginning at 1 p.m. After Mass, the faithful will have the opportunity to venerate the first-class relics of the three apostles of Divine Mercy: St. John Paul II, St. Maria Faustina Kowalska and her spiritual director, Blessed Father Sopocko. This is the first time that Blessed Father Sopocko’s relic will be present for this Mass. Light refreshments after Mass. Your donation of these refreshments is appreciated and can be dropped off before Mass at Aquinas Hall. For details, call Mary at 704-290-6012.

PRO-LIFE ROSARY: 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at 901 North Main St., and Sunset Drive, High Point. Come and help pray for the end of abortion. For details, call Jim Hoyng at 336-882-9593 or Paul Klosterman at 336-848-6835.

CHARLOTTE AIRPORT SUNDAY MASS: The Airport Chaplaincy at Charlotte Douglas International Airport

offers Mass at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., each Sunday in the airport chapel. All travelers and visitors are welcome.

LAY (THIRD ORDER) CARMELITES: August and September informational meetings at St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. The Lay Carmelite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary (historically known as the Third Order) is an association mainly of laypersons. Its members, responding to a special call of God, freely and deliberately commit themselves “to live in the following of Jesus Christ” according to the charism, traditions and spirit of Carmel under the authority of the Prior General of the Carmelite Order. Members, though not in religious life, choose to live out their baptismal commitment according to the spirit of the Carmelite Order. Members are brothers and sisters of the Carmelite Family and sharers in the same call to holiness and in the same mission of the Carmelite Order. If you are 18 or older, a Catholic in good standing and are interested in becoming a Third Order Carmelite, contact Donna Fodale at 704-574-9403 or dfodale@roadrunner.com.

Aug. 29, at Catholic Charities Asheville, 50 Orange St. Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is hosting this Benefits Screening and Enrollment program through the Council on Aging of Buncombe County. Call the Council on Aging of Buncombe County at 828-277-8288 to make an appointment for a free screening and enrollment services for all Medicare beneficiaries. For details, call Catholic Charities at 704-370-3220.

SENIOR FRAUD & SCAMS PREVENTION EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP: 10 a.m.-noon, Thursday, Aug. 30, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte.

Presented by Maryanne Dailey, NCDRC Certified Mediator/ Senior Vice President of Better Business Bureau of Southern Piedmont and Western N.C. RSVP to Sandra Breakfield, program director of Catholic Charities’ Elder Ministry, at 704-370-3220 or email sabreakfield@ charlottediocese.org by Monday, Aug. 27.

YOUNG ADULTS RETREATS UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC MISSION OF CANTON, ‘FIFTH ANNUAL EAST MEETS WEST’ RETREAT: 1-5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Immaculate Conception Mission, 42 Newfound St., Canton. The Beatitudes will be the subject of four conference talks, two on Friday and two on Saturday. Conference talks will be presented by Father Deacon Kevin Bezner, Father Deacon Joseph Kibbe, and Father Mark Shuey.

To conclude the retreat, Father Mark, pastor of the Ukrainian Catholic mission, will celebrate Byzantine Rite Divine Liturgy for Sunday on Saturday at 4 p.m. For details, contact Father Deacon Kevin Bezner at kevin. bezner@gmail.com.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING ‘Protecting God’s Children’ workshops are intended to educate parish volunteers to recognize and prevent sexual abuse. For details, contact your parish office. To register and confirm workshop times, go to www.virtus. org. Upcoming workshops are: BELMONT: 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, Queen of the Apostles Church (MAK Family Life Center), 503 N. Main St. CHARLOTTE: 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, St. Gabriel Church (Ministry Center Room D), 3016 Providence Road GREENSBORO: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, St. Paul the Apostle Church (library), 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road MAGGIE VALLEY: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 37 Murphy Dr. Note: Deadline to register is Wednesday, Aug. 22.

SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS BENEFITS SCREENING AND MEDICARE ENROLLMENT: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Dr., Arden and 10 a.m.-noon, Wednesday,

CHARLOTTE AREA: Groups for Catholics in their 20s and 30s, single or married, are active on MeetUp at www. meetup.com/charlottecatholicyoungadultministry OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION CHURCH: contact Denise Duliepre, 917-575-0871 ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH: call Meg VanGoethem, 815-545-2587.

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH: on Facebook at “Young Adult Life: A St. Matthew Ministry” ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL: on Facebook at “The Cathedral of St. Patrick - Young Adult Ministry” ST. PETER CHURCH: look them up on Facebook “St Peter 20s and 30s Ministry” ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH: online at “Aquinas’ Finest,” www.stacharlotte.com/finest HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH IN DENVER: call Nicole Lehman, 704-607-5207 ST. LEO THE GREAT CHURCH IN WINSTON-SALEM: online at “Winston Salem Frassati,” www.wsfrassati.com GREENSBORO WAY OF CHRIST: The young adult ministry at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro: at www.stpiusxnc. com/woc, on Facebook at “wayofchrist” and Twitter @wocgreensboro or email Dan McCool at wocgreensboro@gmail.com.

ST. MICHAEL CHURCH IN GASTONIA: For Catholics in their 20s and 30s in the Gastonia area. Meets once a month. Online at www.stmichaelsgastonia.org/youngadult ASHEVILLE THEOLOGY ON TAP: For Catholics in their 20s and 30s in the Asheville region. For details, check them out on Facebook, Twitter or MeetUp

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com

$1.2M endowment funds scholarships for local Catholic students

Learn more People can establish an endowment in the diocesan foundation by leaving a bequest in their will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a gift of real estate, a gift of life insurance, cash or securities sufficient to set up an endowment, or a life income arrangement such as a trust or annuity. For details, contact Judy Smith at 704-370-3320 or email jmsmith@charlottediocese.org.

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Lifelong St. Leo parishioner leaves lasting legacy to his church

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Catholic students in Mecklenburg County and the town of Dunn attending college or planning to attend college have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship funded by an endowment created by the late George Warren Pitman, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who once lived in Charlotte.

Pitman, a renowned designer, built a successful business in the Carolinas and Virginia before passing away in 2007 at the age of 79. For more than 30 years, he ran his design firm, George Pitman. Inc., from his beautiful home in Charlotte’s Myers Park neighborhood. He was a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md., and Bright’s School of Design in Chicago, and he bequeathed $1.2 million of his fortune to provide scholarships to needy Catholic students who also wish to earn an undergraduate degree.

Through the George Warren Pitman Scholarship Fund, college-bound Catholics can apply for renewable awards of up to $1,000, depending on the type of college (two-year, four-year or vocational) they plan to attend. The application period runs from Dec. 3 to March 1. (For more information, contact Jim Kelley, development director for the Diocese of Charlotte, at 704-370-3301 or jkkelley@ charlottediocese.org.)

“We have known since 1990 that Mr. Pitman was going to do something in the way of an estate gift,” Kelley said. “We are so grateful for his transformative gift.

Through the generosity of Mr. Pitman, Catholic students in Mecklenburg County and in Dunn will benefit from a college education.”

“More and more people across the diocese are remembering the Church in their estate plans – gifts from thousands of dollars to millions – and we are thankful for their generosity,” Kelley said.

Those like Pitman who make a planned gift that benefits the diocese or any of its parishes, schools, ministries or agencies become members of the Catholic Heritage Society. The society is the diocese’s way of honoring the Christian generosity of Catholic friends who are providing for the future of the Church in western North Carolina.

The Catholic Heritage Society is comprised of more than 1,100 people in the diocese, many of whom are leaving gifts to the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation in their wills. Since 1994, the foundation has distributed more than $9 million to the diocese and its parishes, schools and ministries.

OUR PARISHESI

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Immigration lawyer Cynthia Aziz, a St. Peter Church member, was among an interfaith group that recently held a prayer vigil calling for justice for immigrants who seek asylum in the United States.

Faith leaders defend immigrant families in Charlotte prayer vigil CÉSAR HURTADO HISPANIC REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Calling for justice and opposing the federal government’s “shameful immigration policy that criminalizes children and families seeking safety,” religious leaders held a vigil at Myers Park Baptist Church Aug. 3.

The Rev. Ben Boswell, senior minister of Myers Park Baptist Church, said the vigil was meant to be “a witness to the moral crisis” and participants wanted to “shine a light on a humanitarian disaster,” “expose the human rights violations that take place in the centers of detention of ICE throughout the country” and “testify with truth what is happening today to the people in our country.”

Immigration lawyer Cynthia Aziz, a parishioner at St. Peter Church in Charlotte, spoke at the vigil, calling the decisions taken by federal immigration authorities “a shame all over the world.”

“Yes, our immigration laws are broken, but threatening Congress to act quickly with more inhuman activities with the people we have to help is wrong,” Aziz said.

Responding to some claims that the detention centers in which children separated from their parents have been housed are similar to “summer camps,” the lawyer said that as a Girl Scout she never saw a summer camp that was surrounded by barbed wire. “My parents would never have left me there crying, imploring to be with them. That is not the summer camp of my childhood.”

Chrissy Williamson, associate minister of Myers Park Baptist Church, said that as the mother of a 5-year-old girl, she cannot imagine her daughter being pulled out of her arms, “forced to live in a cage and presented in a court room alone, scared and without my protection.”

Williamson called on “all mothers, all parents, and all people of faith and good conscience to raise their voices” and make their elected officials feel that “we can and should do better for each and every one of our neighbors.”

The vigil was initially going to be held outside the federal immigration court in Charlotte but was moved inside the Baptist church due to inclement weather.

At the end of the vigil, the group traveled to the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Ga., where most deportees from Charlotte are sent before being deported. To get a better idea of ​​the journey that immigrants and their families in detention detained by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), the vigil participants made the same trip that immigrants from their communities make when they are arrested and sent to Stewart.

On Aug. 4, showing signs that read “Justice for all,” “We are with you,” “On which side of history are you?”, “Wanting a better life is not a crime” and many others, 23 people from this interfaith group congregated outside the Stewart Detention Center where they activated a “prayer chain” calling for a solution to the immigration problem and singing hymns of hope.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com and www.facebook.com/CNHespanol: See video highlights from the immigration prayer vigil in Charlotte

WINSTON-SALEM — St. Leo Parish’s new church had been completed only a year when Robert Daye was born in 1930.

His family had been instrumental in the effort to buy land and build the church on Springdale Avenue, according to Father Brian Cook, who has served as St. Leo’s pastor since 2006. The Gothic Revival-style stone building, which was designed by the famed church architect Father Michael McInerney of Belmont Abbey, was completed in 1929. “Since then, the Daye family has been an integral part of the life of our parish.”

Daye died Jan. 1 at the age of 87.

Nearly 20 years before his death, he told the Diocese of Charlotte’s Development Office staff that he would be bequeathing a gift to benefit his beloved parish after he was gone. The $100,000 Daye Endowment will directly benefit St. Leo Church for years to come.

It is expected that the parish will initially be able to draw $5,000 annually from the endowment.

“Bob was a man of great warmth and had a quiet prayerfulness about him that lifted the hearts of so many in our parish community,” Father Cook recalled.

“We are most grateful for his generous gift and for the continued legacy of gentle faithfulness he leaves with our community.”

The new Daye Endowment is one of seven endowments that benefit the Winston-Salem parish, which has about 2,000 registered families, and its school.

Founded in 1994, the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation now has 257 endowments totaling more than $50 million in assets. It has distributed more than $9 million to the diocese and its parishes, schools and ministries.

“As more and more individuals leave estate gifts to their parishes and schools, more endowments are being established, so it’s not uncommon for parishes and schools to have multiple endowments,” noted Jim Kelley, diocesan development director.

Individuals can establish an endowment in the diocesan foundation by leaving a bequest in their will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a gift of real estate, a gift of life insurance, cash or securities sufficient to set up an endowment, or a life income arrangement such as a trust or annuity.

For details about setting up an endowment to benefit the Church in western North Carolina, contact Judy Smith at 704-370-3320 or email jmsmith@charlottediocese.org.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 OUR PARISHES

‘You are his mission’ First-time pastor Father Jason Christian installed in Tryon SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

TRYON — Father Jason Christian was installed Aug. 6 as pastor of St. John the Baptist Church – his first assignment as a pastor for the Diocese of Charlotte.

The former parochial vicar of St. Michael Church in Gastonia, Father Christian is also the academic dean for the 21 men studying at St. Joseph College Seminary in Charlotte.

During the installation rite at the start of the Mass, Deacon Art Kingsley read aloud Father Christian’s official letter of appointment. Bishop Peter Jugis and the congregation then witnessed Father Christian make his profession of faith, renew his oath of fidelity to the Church, and sign the official Church documents of his new office.

His documents were witnessed by Father Patrick Winslow, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, a former pastor of Father Christian’s and a former pastor of the Tryon parish.

Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville; Father Matthew Buettner, spiritual director of St. Joseph College Seminary; and Father Jason Barone, promoter of vocations for the Diocese of Charlotte, were present. Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary, served as master of ceremonies for the installation Mass.

During his homily, Bishop Jugis welcomed everyone who attended the installation Mass and expressed his joy in seeing a full church during the standing-room-only Mass.

He also took time to carefully explain Father Christian’s new responsibilities as pastor, emphasizing that a pastor must do three primary things: teach, sanctify and lead his parishioners.

“What is the mission of the pastor?” Bishop Jugis asked.

“The mission of a pastor is to prepare you for eternal life.

The mission of a pastor is salvation… You are his mission.”

The letter of appointment read at the beginning of the Mass further describes in detail what that duty entails, the bishop said: the office of teaching, the office of sanctifying and the office of pastoral governance.

“In the office of teaching…ultimately the pastor is in charge of what is brought to the faithful of the parish,” Bishop Jugis explained.

He noted that Father Christian making his profession of faith at the beginning of the Mass was done so that all would know that he will present the unadulterated faith of the Church which has been passed on by the apostles from Jesus Himself.

At his installation Mass, the pastor – not the deacon, as is usually the case – proclaims the Gospel, the bishop noted. That signifies that the pastor is ultimately in charge for the proclamation of the Gospel message to the people of his parish, the bishop said.

Through the devout and reverent celebration of the sacraments, a pastor also provides his people with the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, he said.

“He is in charge of the sacramental and spiritual life of the parish,” Bishop Jugis pointed out.

A pastor is also charged with the office of pastoral governance, to make sure that parish life and all of its ministries are well organized, harmoniously working together and that everything is in good order in the parish, he continued.

He then reminded Father Christian of an important line in the appointment letter: “The model for your pastoral ministry is the Good Shepherd Himself, Jesus.”

“So keep bringing everything back to Jesus,” he told the young priest, who he had ordained in 2013. “He is the model that the pastor follows, whether it be the office of teaching, the office of sanctifying or the office of pastoral governance.

“Jesus is the model. Jesus is front and center and everything comes from Him.”

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Jason Christian, newly installed first-time pastor, is congratulated

by Bishop Peter Jugis after all of the official Church documents are signed during the installation Mass Aug. 6 at St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon.

“With each new parish my family continues to grow by leaps and bounds,” Father Christian said. “I was greatly blessed during my time at St. Thomas, St. Michael, and with our future priests at St. Joseph College Seminary.

Now to all that has been added this lovely community of St. John in Tryon. One can only imagine the joy of the full communion of saints! My heartfelt gratitude to all for their support, and especially to our shepherd Bishop Jugis.”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos and video highlights from Father Jason Christian’s installation

Invites You

24th Annual Fundraising Banquet

“Chosen & Precious in God’s Sight” Thursday, October 18, 2018 Check-in/Reception: 5:30 p.m. ~ Dinner: 6:30 p.m.

Charlotte Convention Center ~ Crown Ballroom

Featured Speaker ~ Shawn Carney Shawn Carney is the co-founder and president of 40 Days for Life, a breakthrough initiative of 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion, round-the-clock peaceful vigil outside a local abortion center and grassroots door-to-door outreach that has dropped local abortion numbers by 28 percent. Shawn helped to lead the first 40 Days for Life in 2004 and helped to expand the campaign as a national and international movement by 2007. Today, 40 Days for Life has been done in 769 cities in all 50 states and 47 countries. His efforts have mobilized more than 750,000 pro-life volunteers and have confirmed reports of over 14,600 mothers choosing life and 177 abortion center workers who have had conversions and left their jobs, including former abortion center director, Abby Johnson. Shawn is the co-author of 40 Days for Life and lives in Texas with his wife and six children.

Reservations are free but REQUIRED. Deadline to register is October 8, 2018.

To make your reservation or host a table of 8-10 people, register online: https://miraviabanquet24.eventbrite.com OR meganwhiteside@miravia.org, 704-525-4673 ext. 13.

MiraVia, Inc. is a Catholic, 501 (c)(3) non-profit maternity and after-care program serving women and their children in the Charlotte, N.C. region since 1994. All material support and services are offered free of charge to clients. For more information, visit www.miravia.org.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

College seminary welcomes eight new men CHARLOTTE — Eight new students have joined St. Joseph College Seminary, bringing the total to 21 enrolled in the Charlotte-based program as the new school year begins.

The 21 young men will pursue college degrees at Belmont Abbey College while living a communal life of prayer, discerning a possible call to the priesthood. They are living in three houses adjacent to St. Ann Church in Charlotte – a temporary arrangement until a permanent college seminary can be built on land near Belmont Abbey College that was recently purchased by the Diocese of Charlotte.

During Mass Aug. 5 at St. Ann Church, the eight new students were welcomed by Father Matthew Kauth, rector of the college seminary. He dubbed them the “Charlie Class” because they are the third class of men to enter St. Joseph College Seminary. During his homily he told the new students – who were seated in the front row of the church – that they are not entering boot camp, but “belief camp.” He told them they would now have ample time to discern their vocation, and he encouraged them to focus all of their energy toward one goal: Jesus Christ.

At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos from the Aug. 5 Mass and move-in day at St. Joseph College Seminary

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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New life breathed into old St. Joseph Church SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

MOUNT HOLLY — A piece of our nation’s history and a place dear to Irish Catholics in western North Carolina has received critical repairs. Over the past nine months, old St. Joseph Church on N.C. Hwy. 273 has had some critical repairs designed to preserve the wooden structure.

Built in 1843 for and by Irish immigrants, who had come to mine for gold along the

Catawba River, St. Joseph Church is the oldest Catholic church still standing in the state and is an official state and U.S. historical site.

The church was built in what became Gaston County, named in 1846 for William Gaston, a Catholic politician who served in

the state and U.S. Congress. He also served as a North Carolina Supreme Court judge beginning in 1833.

Gaston was instrumental in the construction of the first Catholic church in his hometown of New Bern in 1841, donating much of the funding to erect the building.

Gaston then moved to assist in the completion of St. Joseph Church, the fourth Catholic church built in the state and the first Catholic church building in western North Carolina, also donating funds to complete its construction.

The wooden structure is a vernacular temple-form, Greek Revival style frame church clad in white clapboard. It has a gable roof and its front façade features a tetrastyle portico.

The Diocese of Charlotte Properties Office oversaw the significant repairs made to the 175-year-old church. Repairs were made to the roof, floors and other areas of architectural weakness found in the historic structure.

The altar and sanctuary area were also restored to freshen up renovations that had been done in the 1970s.

The repair project cost $150,000 to address the most critical issues. Additional funds will be needed to finish the restoration.

Fundraising efforts in the community will take place later in 2018 to raise these additional funds.

Today St. Joseph Church is used for special occasions such at the feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph in March, and tours are available upon request through Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont.

PHOTOS BY MIKE FITZGERALD | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief New campus ministers named CHARLOTTE — Three new Campus Ministers have been named, effective Aug. 1: n Gregg Constanzo will serve the Greensboro Area Campus Ministry n David Mayeux will serve the Asheville Area Campus Ministry n Scott Salvato will serve the Davidson Area Campus Ministry For more information about Catholic Campus Ministry, see this week’s Back to School Guide.

of Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, gave the homily, and the Queen of the Apostles Parish choir sang. A luncheon followed in the school cafeteria.

— Beth Rogers Thompson

— Catholic News Herald

Mooresville welcomes new priest MOORESVILLE — St. Therese Church recently welcomed Father Paul Asoh, with the Missionary Society of St. Paul of Nigeria, to the parish.

The Nigerian priest was ordained in 2002, and served in the Diocese of Kano, Nigeria, before being assigned to the Missionary Society of St. Paul’s Formation House/ Seminary from 2003 to 2006. He completed a course in Religious Formation Ministry in Dublin, Ireland, Asoh from between 2006 to 2007, and a Masters in Peace studies and International Relations at the Hekima Jesuit College of the Catholic University of East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. He also worked in the St. Patrick’s Theology House in Nairobi from 2007 to 2010 with the St. Patrick’s Society Seminarians.

In 2010 he was reassigned back to Nigeria as assistant director of formation in the Missionary Society of St. Paul Formation House, Iperu-Remo, Nigeria, until June. During this period, he was also chaplain of the Federal Government Girls College in Sagamu, Nigeria, and director of St. Paul’s Retreat and Renewal Center in Iperu-Remo.

— Lisa Cash

Mercy Sisters celebrate jubilee BELMONT — Mercy Sister Paulette Williams (left) and Sister Brigid McCarthy recently celebrated their 50th anniversary of profession.

They renewed their vows at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, where Father Frank Cancro, pastor

PHOTOS BY AMBER SHERIFF | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Mass and Holy Hour of Reparation offered HUNTERSVILLE — St. Mark Church hosted its fourth annual Mass and Holy Hour of Reparation for the sins of abortion, contraception, euthanasia and same-sex unions Aug. 1. Despite the stormy weather, more than 75 people attended the evening Mass and Holy Hour to offer penance and ask for God’s forgiveness.

The Mass, offered by St. Mark’s parochial vicar, Father Brian Becker, was a rare Latin Mass in the Ordinary Form to accommodate and unite the parish’s English- and Spanish-speaking parishioners. Father Becker was assisted by Deacon Tom McGahey and seminarian Jacob Mlakar. The event, which is held each August, was organized by the parish’s Respect Life Ministry.

— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent, and Amy Burger

BISCOE — Young people at Our Lady of the Americas Church received the sacrament of confirmation from Bishop Peter Jugis during Mass celebrated July 20.

Scholarship winner announced JEFFERSON — Araceli Barcenas is the 2018 winner of a $1,000 annual scholarship recently presented by the St. Francis of Assisi Men’s Club. Barcenas will attend the University of North Carolina-Greensboro in the fall to begin studies in pre-medicine. The award was presented by Club President Rick LaBonte and Father James Stuhrenberg, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church.

— Patrick Hession, correspondent

Live Your Faith Be affirmed in your present ministry.

Upgrade your certification as a catechist and religion teacher.

Fulfill the prerequisite for the Permanent Diaconate.

Grow in your faith.

The Diocesan Office of Lay Ministry offers a two-year program designed to help you understand more fully your baptismal call to minister to your family, to others in the Church, and to those in your daily life.

Sites include Arden, Smoky Mountain Region, Charlotte, Greensboro and Lenoir.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2018-2020 program.

For more information:

F O R M AT I O N P R O G R A M

Confirmation in Biscoe

Dr. Frank Villaronga Director, Evangelization and Adult Education Office

704-370-3274

frankv@charlottediocese.org

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GLORIA WILSON

Confirmation and installation WINSTON-SALEM — Bishop Peter Jugis confirmed 32 young people during a July 23 Mass at St. Benedict the Moor Church.

The bishop also installed Father Henry Tutuwan as pastor of St. Benedict the Moor Parish and Good Shepherd Mission.

Father Tutuwan succeeds Father Basile Sede as pastor.

Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of August.

Rev. Henry J. Becker 1992 Rev. William M. Evans 2013 Rev. Msgr. Felix R. Kelaher 1998 Rev. Joseph Kelleher 2014 Rev. John F. Parsons 1993

FACEBOOK.COM/ CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD ESPAÑOL

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com

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Cruzando el umbral Diácono Darío García

S

La Santísima Virgen María

antísima Virgen María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros.

Los cristianos católicos jóvenes adultos y adultos mayores tenemos un gratísimo recuerdo de lo que aprendimos de niños de la Santísima Virgen María, Madre de Dios. Y lo aprendimos de nuestros padres, especialmente de nuestras mamás y abuelitas que antes de acostarnos nos hacían rezar las breves oraciones y la jaculatoria propias de la Virgen, repitiéndolas junto con ellas y grabándolas en el corazón infantil para que permanecieran allí y brotaran luego como rayos de luz para nuestra vida espiritual, en una devoción que se fue haciendo fuerte, madura y estimada por el amor que le fuimos tomando a la Madre del Cielo.

Nuestros padres y abuelos recibieron esto de sus mismos padres y abuelos y se ha venido dando de generación en generación.

Es cierto que hoy en día y, con mucho pesar tenemos que decirlo, se ha perdido, se ha roto mucho esta tradición familiar debido a que ya muchos padres, madres y abuelos la han dejado a un lado para dedicar más tiempo a la televisión, al teléfono, al computador y al trabajo.

Ya muchos niños no se duermen arrullados por el canto de las mamás y la repetición suave y armoniosa de las oraciones y jaculatorias de la Virgen, sino anestesiados por el ruido de los equipos electrónicos, el sonidos de los disparos y explosiones de los juegos y los gritos y lamentos de los programas de televisión. Por eso los niños van creciendo en un ambiente hostil y lleno de sobresaltos que no les permiten crecer disfrutando de las suaves voces y melodías que vienen de la oración a la Virgen y de los cantos de los ángeles que cuidan sus sueños y vidas.

Queridos papás, mamás y abuelos que aún están haciendo lo que aprendieron de los suyos, ¡ánimo!, sigan haciéndolo sin importar los distractores postmodernos.

Sigan dedicando ese tiempo maravilloso en que se siembra la devoción a la Madre de Dios que el Señor hará crecer para bien del niño y la salud espiritual de la familia.

Que Santa María, Madre de Dios, la fulgente Estrella de la Evangelización, brille sobre las cunas de los bebés y las camitas de los niños arrullando sus sueños y velando por sus vidas. Que la compañía de los ángeles de la guarda al entonar dulces cantos los hagan sonreír, no asustar o sobresaltar como lo hace el ruido del mundo.

Y como decían ellos, “Que Dios los bendiga y la Virgen los acompañe”.

Amén.

EL DIÁCONO DARÍO GARCÍA sirve como coordinador del Ministerio Hispano en la Vicaría de Hickory.

Quince hombres inician su formación para el diaconado permanente SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

El obispo luego dirigió su atención a los quince hombres admitidos al rito de la candidatura: Ronald Ascencio, Joseph Becker, Eduardo Bernal, Carl Brown, Margarito Franco, Charles Hindbaugh, Hugh Holland, Todd Labonte, John Langlois, Thomas Martin, William Melton Jr., Richard Michaels, Francisco Pina, Herbert Quintanilla y Joseph Smith.

“Para ustedes, que hoy están siendo admitidos a la candidatura para las órdenes sagradas, le pedimos al buen Dios que también los bendiga con esas virtudes evangélicas. Que esas virtudes continúen durante el transcurso de su formación para que se perfeccionen en

apertura y la sinceridad de los nuevos candidatos y sus esposas”, agregó.

“Tengo muchas ganas de trabajar con ellos mientras continúan en este viaje de discernimiento y formación para ser diáconos o esposas de diáconos”, dijo.

Ahora que el camino de discernimiento continúa, el Obispo Jugis alentó a los 15 candidatos. “Están cruzando un umbral hacia un período de formación más intenso. Las cosas son diferentes ahora.

El Señor les da gracias especiales como candidatos para las órdenes sagradas, mientras persiguen el llamado del Señor al diaconado permanente”.

Jesús ya los ha llevado lejos en su camino, el obispo les aseguró, y quiere

CHARLOTTE — De pie ante su obispo y una reliquia de San Lorenzo, diácono y mártir, más de 60 diáconos permanentes reafirmaron sus promesas de ordenación y luego vieron como 15 hombres fueron admitidos como candidatos para el diaconado el 10 de agosto, día de la fiesta de su santo patrón.

El Obispo Peter Jugis ofreció una Misa para los diáconos, un evento anual en la Catedral San Patricio que celebra el diaconado permanente en la Diócesis de Charlotte y cada cuatro años da paso a una nueva promoción de futuros diáconos potenciales.

El Obispo Jugis dirigió primero su homilía a los diáconos permanentes, luego a los candidatos a diáconos.

“El diaconado es SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD un gran ministerio de Quince son los hombres que seguirán la formación de cuatro años para el diaconado permanente. Cinco de ellos son de origen servicio en la Iglesia y las hispano, un reflejo de la creciente participación de la comunidad latina en nuestra diócesis. propias palabras de Jesús continúan inspirando a los diáconos ustedes”. que se ofrezcan a Él, al programa de a seguir Su ejemplo de servicio”, dijo, En el rito de admisión a la candidatura, formación y a la Iglesia, mientras los citando el Evangelio de Mateo 20:28, “El les explicó, los hombres se convierten guía durante los próximos años.

Hijo del Hombre no vino a ser servido, formalmente en candidatos para el Pasen tiempo en oración, escuchando sino a servir y a dar Su vida para salvar sacramento de las sagradas órdenes, lo que Jesús puede estar pidiéndoles, dijo. a muchos”. ofreciéndose ellos mismos a “Dios y a la “Ustedes están bendecidos al contar “Es en ese espíritu de servicio, Iglesia para el ministerio sagrado”. con el apoyo de sus esposas, sus familias inspirado por Cristo, que ustedes Los candidatos ya han logrado varios y sus amigos, además del apoyo de la diáconos vienen hoy a reafirmar las requisitos para llegar a este punto, Iglesia para ayudarlos en este camino”, promesas de su ordenación”. incluido el completar el Programa de anotó. “Si es la voluntad de Dios, un día Les recordó que en la oración de Formación del Ministerio Laico de estarán al lado del sacerdote en el altar, ordenación que los consagró como dos años y, con sus esposas, un año de asistiéndolo mientras ofrece el sacrificio diáconos, el obispo oró para que discernimiento llamado aspirantado. de la Misa”. practiquen las virtudes cristianas, Ellos fueron ayudados en el camino por El candidato Eduardo Bernal dijo estar especialmente mostrando su un equipo de 30 diáconos y esposas de emocionado de continuar en el camino preocupación por los enfermos y los diáconos, quienes los asistieron durante de convertirse en diácono permanente. pobres, y para que ejerzan su autoridad el proceso de discernimiento y les dieron “Para mí, el sacramento del matrimonio con humildad y amor. charlas sobre la oración, espiritualidad y confirmó ese llamado que siento para “Así, le pedimos al Señor nuevamente el ministerio diaconal. servir a mi comunidad y mi Iglesia. la bendición para ustedes. Que esas “Estoy agradecido por el equipo de Llegar a ser diácono, si Dios así lo quiere, virtudes evangélicas que su obispo diáconos y sus esposas que ayudaron será la bendición más grande para toda oró sobre ustedes en la oración en este proceso de discernimiento”, mi familia”, apuntó. de consagración el día de vuestra dijo el Diácono Scott Gilfillan, director ordenación, que esas virtudes continúen de formación para el diaconado Más en línea brillando en sus vidas de servicio como permanente. “Fue un increíble equipo e En www.catholicnewsherald.com: Vea más siervos del altar, como siervos de la hizo una contribución invaluable para fotos y un video con escenas de la Misa anual Palabra y como siervos de la caridad”, ayudar a las parejas de aspirantes”. de Diáconos continuó.

“También estoy impresionado con la

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Clases de Ministerios Laicos inician en septiembre

Caridades Católicas asiste en capacitación de traductores

CHARLOTTE — El programa de Diocesano de Ministerios Laicos, con una duración de dos años, comenzará una nueva serie de sesiones este mes de septiembre.

Este programa para laicos está diseñado para ayudar a los católicos a entender mejor su fe, para que de esta manera puedan responder al llamado bautismal de participar en la misión de la Iglesia.

El programa está dirigido a adultos de todos los niveles, ya sea que se encuentren interesados en servir a la Iglesia o que simplemente deseen ahondar en el entendimiento de las enseñanzas de la Iglesia, las escrituras, teología y una espiritualidad auténtica.

A través del programa de formación, que se ajusta al año académico y se compone de 150 horas lectivas, los participantes desarrollarán sus habilidades y destrezas convirtiéndose en signos evidentes de la presencia de Cristo entre el pueblo de Dios.

Gracias a esta formación, los participantes n apreciarán y comprenderán con más profundidad que han sido llamados y tienen los dones para el apostolado laico por la gracia de su bautismo y confirmación, n se afirmarán y crecerán en capacidad y confianza en sus ministerios actuales hacia y con los demás, la Iglesia, sus familias y la comunidad, n explorarán sus dones personales y verán como ellos pueden ser utilizados en respuesta a su llamado bautismal, y n crecerán en su fe católica.

Hay cinco locaciones propuestas para el programa en inglés 2018-’20 (basado en un número mínimo de participantes): Arden, Charlotte, Greensboro, Lenoir y Sylva. Las clases se llevarán a cabo los sábados designados de 9:30 a.m. a 4 p.m. con una hora de almuerzo. El promedio de sesiones es de una cada tres semanas dentro del año académico.

Se han propuesto dos locaciones para el programa en español 2018-’20 (basado en un número mínimo de participantes): Charlotte y Hendersonville. Las clases serán los jueves de 6:30 a 8:30 p.m. en Charlotte y los viernes de 7 a 9 p.m. en Hendersonville.

Los participantes deben estar registrados en una parroquia, entregar una carta de recomendación de su pastor, ser activos en la práctica de su fe católica y estar de acuerdo en comenzar a orar, al menos una sección de La Liturgia de las Horas como parte de su vida de oración regular.

— SueAnn Howell, reportera senior

CHARLOTTE — Las personas que buscan una oportunidad laboral en el campo de la traducción e interpretación tienen una buena noticia: la oficina de Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte está buscando personas interesadas en ser parte del grupo de intérpretes independientes para el programa Translation & Interpretation Enterprise (TIE). ¿Es bilingüe o multilingüe?, ¿está dispuesto a tomar un examen para conocer sus capacidades y a trabajar administrando su propio horario? Pues parece ser un buen(a) candidato(a) para trabajar como traductor e intérprete. ¿No tiene experiencia? ¡No importa!, pues si está dispuesto puede tomar los cursos de capacitación que ofrece regularmente TIE, ello no será problema. Ángela Villalobos, coordinadora de TIE en la oficina de Caridades Católicas en Charlotte, informó que el primer curso, llamado ‘Introduction to Community Interpreting’, con una duración de 40 horas, se realizará en las localidades de Charlotte y Winston Salem, con diversas fechas de inicio entre los meses de septiembre a noviembre de 2018.

“En el mercado hay muchas personas que son bilingües y que han sido intérpretes informales y queremos ayudarles a ser intérpretes con un buen entrenamiento para poder servir a su propia comunidad”, aseguró la coordinadora.

Un taller para interpretación médica, de ocho horas de duración, tendrá lugar el 7 de septiembre en Charlotte, “pero para tomar este curso es necesario haber completado el entrenamiento de introducción a la interpretación previamente”, indicó Villalobos.

El programa de introducción a la interpretación está acreditado en 15 horas de educación continuada por Continuing Education and Acreditation Program y es reconocido por Certification Commission of Healthcare Interpreters.

Respecto a los costos, el examen de competencia lingüística tiene un valor de cincuenta dólares y el curso de introducción a la interpretación comunitaria de doscientos dólares. Es necesario obtener un nivel avanzado de competencia lingüística para inscribirse en el programa de introducción a la interpretación comunitaria.

“En verdad, el valor de mercado supera los seiscientos dólares, pero Caridades Católicas cubre la diferencia”, resaltó Villalobos.

Desde 1990, la oficina de Caridades Católicas en Winston Salem, anteriormente conocida como la Casa Guadalupe, provee servicios profesionales y calificados de traducción e interpretación en la región de Piedmont. Desde 2016, a través de TIE, sirve al mercado no sólo en el área de Piedmont sino en Charlotte y el noroeste del estado en sus necesidades de servicios lingüísticos y ofrece programas de entrenamiento en interpretación.

Si está interesado en unirse al equipo de traductores e intérpretes independientes de Caridades Católicas, envíe su hoja de vida a ccdoctie@charlottediocese.org.

Para información sobre los cursos de capacitación, escriba un correo a ccdoctie@charlottediocese.org o llame a los coordinadores de TIE, Jessica Salazar 336714-3208 (Winston-Salem) y Ángela Villalobos 704-370-3296 (Charlotte). Fuera de estas áreas urbanas puede comunicarse al número gratuito 855-995-3343.

Más informes Para mayores detalles sobre el proceso de ingreso al Programa de Formación del Ministerio Laico, llame a Frank Villaronga, director diocesano de evangelización y educación de adultos, al 704-370-3274 o visite la página web www.charlottediocese. org/ev/adult-education.

CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

La abogada de inmigración Cynthia Aziz, parroquiana de la Iglesia Católica San Pedro, fue parte del grupo interreligioso que exigió justicia para los inmigrantes en Charlotte.

Líderes de fe defienden familias inmigrantes CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE — Con el objetivo de hacer un llamado a la justicia y oponerse a la “vergonzosa política migratoria de nuestro país que criminaliza niños y familias que buscan su seguridad”, líderes religiosos realizaron una vigilia en el interior de la Iglesia Bautista Myers Park el pasado viernes 3 de agosto.

El Reverendo Ben Boswell, ministro principal de esa Iglesia, dijo ser “testigo de la crisis moral” y estar al frente para “hacer brillar una luz en un desastre humanitario”, así como “exponer las violaciones de los derechos humanos que suceden en los centros de detención de ICE” (Agencia de control de inmigración y aduanas) y “testificar con la verdad lo que está sucediendo hoy a la gente en nuestro país”.

Luego señaló que separar a niños de sus padres es una política equivocada. “Más de 2.300 niños han sido traumatizados, muchos de ellos permanecen separados de sus padres y la administración no tiene planes de reunificación para ellos, ni ninguna intención de remediar la crueldad y maldad que han hecho”, reclamó.

La abogada de inmigración Cynthia Aziz, católica parroquiana de la Iglesia San Pedro en Charlotte, expresó que las decisiones tomadas por las autoridades han sido “una vergüenza en todo el mundo”.

“Sí, nuestras leyes migratorias están quebradas, pero amenazar al Congreso para actuar rápidamente con más actividades inhumanas con las personas a las que debemos ayudar está equivocado”, señaló.

Respecto a la calificación de los centros de detención infantiles como “similares a los campamentos de verano”, la abogada dijo que como niña exploradora nunca había visto un campamento de verano rodeado de alambre de púas. “Mis padres nunca me hubieran dejado allí llorando,

implorando por estar junto a ellos. Ese no es el campamento de verano de mi niñez”.

Chrissy Williamson, ministra asociada de la Iglesia Bautista Myers Park, expresó durante su alocución que como madre de una niña de 5 años llamada Mia no puede imaginar que su hija sea arrancada de sus brazos, “forzada a vivir en una jaula y presentada en una corte sola, asustada y sin mi protección”. Por ello, hizo un llamado a “todas las madres, todos los padres y a toda la gente de fe y buena conciencia para que levanten sus voces” y hagan sentir a sus autoridades electas que “podemos y debemos hacerlo mejor para todos y cada uno de nuestros vecinos”.

La actividad se iba a realizar inicialmente en los exteriores de la Corte de Inmigración de Charlotte pero, debido al mal tiempo, se trasladó a una locación más protegida.

Al término de la vigilia, el grupo se dirigió al Centro de Detención Stewart en Lumpkin, Georgia. Para tener una mejor idea de la odisea que viven los inmigrantes y sus familias detenidas por ICE, realizaron el mismo viaje que los inmigrantes de sus comunidades hacen cuando son detenidos y enviados a Stewart.

El sábado 4, mostrando letreros que rezaban ‘Justicia para todos’, ‘Estamos con Ustedes’, ‘¿En qué lado de la historia estás?’, ‘Querer una mejor vida no es un crimen’ y muchos otros, 23 personas integrantes de este grupo interreligioso se congregaron en los exteriores del Centro de Detención Stewart donde activaron una “cadena de oración” y cantando himnos de esperanza rogaron por una solución al problema migratorio.

Más en línea En www.catholicnewsherald.com y www. facebook.com/CNHespanol: Vea los momentos más destacados de la vigilia de oración de inmigración en Charlotte

August 17, 2018

A S P EC I A L E D I T I O N O F T H E C AT H O L I C N E W S H E R A L D

WELCOME

GROWING

New principals named for $11M expansion project St. Leo, St. Pius X and nearly done at Christ Our Lady of Grace schools the King High School

TUITION HELP

ALSO INSIDE

Details on applying for financial aid

Upcoming open houses, Campus Ministry locations and more

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOL

By the numbers

Christ the King High School in Huntersville has a new two-story, 27,000-square-foot addition. The high school anticipates an enrollment of more than 310 students in grades 9-12 this fall.

99 percent of graduates of Bishop McGuinness, Charlotte Catholic and Christ the King high schools continue on to higher education.

Scholarships awarded last year:

PHOTO PROVIDED

BY EMMETT SAPP

Bishop McGuinness: $5,541,284 Charlotte Catholic: $16,896,922 Christ the King: $6.8 million

Did you know?

The Diocese of Charlotte Schools welcome students of all backgrounds, even as most of their students are Catholic and the school system strives to inculcate the beliefs and values of the Catholic Church.

Catholic: 95% Non-Catholic: 5% Boys: 50.9% Girls: 49.1% Asian: 4.1% Black: 2.6% Caucasian: 85.9% Hawaiian-Pacific Islander: 0.4% Multi-race: 3.8% Native American: 1.5% Unknown: 1.7%

About the cover Students at Sacred Heart School in Salisbury recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the first day of school last August. (Photo provided by Robin Fisher)

Three Catholic schools transformed by new construction, new creative spaces SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Three schools in the Diocese of Charlotte are seeing transformations in preparation for the new school year, which begins Aug. 22.

At Christ the King High School in Huntersville, a two-story classroom expansion project is nearing completion.

The approximately 27,000 square feet of new construction will more than double the school’s total square footage – making room for a growing enrollment expected to top 310 students this fall.

“This summer is a very exciting time at Christ the King Catholic High School,” says Dr. Carl Semmler, principal.

The new two-story building includes a cafeteria, large multipurpose room for drama and band, a fabrication shop, three science classrooms and eight general purpose classrooms to accommodate Christ the King High School’s growing student population.

Among other things, the additional classroom space will be used for art, industrial design, theater, music, guitar, chemistry, biology, earth science, environmental science, information technology, cyber communications and the traditional liberal arts subjects. The building will also have multiple common areas for students to work collaboratively.

Two classrooms in the existing building are also being repurposed for use as an administration office, as previously the school did not have designated administrative offices.

That space will include a new vestibule, main office, administrative offices, guidance offices and a conference room.

A new 12-inch water main has also been installed to improve water pressure to the school.

The high school is also being updated with a number of school safety features which include door lock card readers, a double locked vestibule,

security cameras and direct communication to first responders.

“We have also received funds from our Silver and Blue Fund and an anonymous donor which will enable us to install two new scoreboards, update our field goals, top dress our athletic fields, create additional parking and equip a current classroom with the infrastructure to become a fitness center this October,” Semmler adds.

The estimated $11 million project, which is being funded through the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools capital fee, is expected to be completed by Labor Day weekend.

That won’t be before school starts on Aug. 22, but school and diocesan leaders are putting in place plans to temporarily locate students as needed in the existing building until the new building is finished.

“In the meantime we have been working with faculty, staff, administration, the superintendent’s office and the office of properties in order to locate and equip all of the necessary learning spaces in the original building,” Semmler says. “This will get us through these first couple of weeks of school.”

In Charlotte at Our Lady of the Assumption School, a new 2,400-square-foot “cafetorium” space awaits students at the beginning of the school year.

A $450,000 grant from a private donor is funding the project, as well as the conversion of the school’s existing library into a STEM lab that includes audiovisual room updates and a new “Makerspace” at the school that will provide students a creative space to learn through making.

“Our focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) will continue to drive our school program over the next few years,” Principal Allana Ramkissoon explains.

“Improvements to our gym will also be quite

noticeable as it now includes a permanent space for drama and music productions. In addition to these physical improvements, we have injected about $115,000 worth of hardware, software and network upgrades to enhance digital learning.”

Ramkissoon says many of these improvements were made not just with students in mind, but the whole community’s needs.

“Working with the parish to ensure that all students have equal access to the curriculum and that everyone’s needs are met is an important part of the school’s mission. We are very excited about the changes and upgrades to various aspects of our school. We believe that continuous improvement is the key to success,” she says.

“We are also grateful to the Diocese of Charlotte and the generosity of an anonymous donor who made these program enhancements possible,” she adds.

At Sacred Heart School in Salisbury, students will also find a new “Makerspace” classroom. It has been named “The Cranium Cove,” harkening to the school’s mascot, a dolphin, one of the smartest mammals and which lives in coves.

“We are so excited about this new classroom,” says teacher Erin Brinkley. “Everything is on wheels and teachers can manipulate this room for their own classroom learning. We have been so fortunate to have an investor who believes in constructive education.”

The new “Makerspace” features everything from bottle caps and cardboard, to screwdrivers and power tools, to Little Bits coding and Rigamajigs, to microscopes and goggles, to a green screen and an editing station, to a highlevel 3D printer, and even a Lego Wall.

Principal Tyler Kulp says, “Sacred Heart School has been around for 136 years. We support great traditional learning styles, but definitely embrace new innovative learning trends in education. Just like our students, our faculty’s minds continue to grow. We want to continue to develop in ways that we educate.”

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOLI

Our principals Michele Snoke St. Gabriel School Deborah Butler St. Mark School Meredith Canning Immaculata School Tyler Kulp Sacred Heart School Dr. Carl Semmler Christ the King High School Christopher Kloesz St. Pius X School Sheila Levesque St. Michael School Kathy McKinney St. Ann School Michael Miller Asheville Catholic School Amy Tobergte St. Patrick School Kevin O’Herron St. Matthew School Catherine Rusch Our Lady of Grace School Kevin Parks Holy Trinity Middle School Allana-Rae Ramkissoon Our Lady of the Assumption School Tracy A. Shaw Bishop McGuinness High School Greg Roberts Immaculate Heart of Mary School Sister Geri Rogers, S.S.J. Our Lady of Mercy School Gary Callus St. Leo School Kurt Telford Charlotte Catholic High School

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Catholic schools welcome three new principals SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Three Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte are welcoming new principals this fall. Our Lady of Grace School and St. Pius X School in Greensboro and St. Leo School in Winston-Salem will all have new leaders when students return for the 2018-’19 academic year next week.

GARY CALLUS, ST. LEO SCHOOL, WINSTON-SALEM

Callus joins St. Leo School from the Diocese of Raleigh, where he served as an assistant principal at St. Mary Magdalene School in Apex.

He has a Master of School Administration and benefits from 18 years of teaching middle school in Catholic education.

He and his wife Donna have been married for 31 years and have twins, a 25-year-old son and daughter.

Callus is a former sergeant with the New York City Police Department and is well respected for his strength of character, integrity and compassion for others.

“We are very fortunate to have an individual with such enthusiasm for Catholic schools, transparent faith and commitment to our children here at St. Leo Catholic School,” said Father Brian Cook, pastor of St. Callus Leo Church and School. “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Callus and we pledge our support and prayers as we begin this new chapter in the life of our parish school.”

Callus officially assumed the job of principal Aug. 16.

“As I step into my role, I am reminded of the message of St. John Paul II to the National Catholic Educational Association of the United States, on April 16, 1979: ‘In order that the Catholic school and the Catholic teachers may truly make their irreplaceable contribution to the Church and to the world, the goal of Catholic education itself must be crystal clear. Beloved sons and daughters of the Catholic Church, brothers and sisters in the faith: Catholic education is above all a question of communicating Christ, of helping to form Christ in the lives of others.’

“It is truly my honor to join the St. Leo School community. The good Lord has blessed me with this amazing opportunity and I look forward to working with the students, parents and the staff at St. Leo.”

CHRISTOPHER KLOESZ, ST. PIUS X SCHOOL, GREENSBORO

Chris Kloesz has been an educator for 19 years. He holds a Bachelor of

Arts from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Education from Xavier University.

Prior to his decision to embark upon a career in education, Kloesz served five years in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Before moving from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Greensboro, Kloesz taught high school English and language arts.

He has previously served as an assistant principal, acting principal, and principal at the high school, middle school and intermediate school levels.

Kloesz Kloesz also taught for several years as an adjunct instructor at Xavier University in Cincinnati.

He and his wife Nicole (herself a middle school English and language arts teacher), have two daughters enrolled at St. Pius X School. The family is active at St. Pius X Church.

“I have been blessed with an exciting and inspiring opportunity: to serve the students, families and staff of St. Pius X Catholic School as their principal,” Kloesz said.

“I am honored and humbled, and I get to enjoy the privilege, every hour of every day, of integrating my Catholic faith with my profession as an educator.”

CATHERINE RUSCH, OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL, GREENSBORO

Catherine Rusch is not new to Our Lady of Grace School. In fact, she joined the Greensboro school as a teacher in 2003, following four years of service in the public school system.

A graduate of N.C. State University, she went on to earn a master’s degree in education from UNCGreensboro during her initial years as a teacher.

As an experienced teacher, an active parishioner and a parent of four, Rusch said she is passionate about Our Lady of Grace School and its mission as a parish and school community.

Beginning her 20th year in education, she has worked continually to uphold and enhance the school’s quality of education by serving as the school’s accreditation leader, training and mentoring other Rusch teachers, continuing her own learning, and serving as a member of supporting committees, including the Grace Committee, which supports families in living out the Catholic faith.

Rusch said she is looking forward to serving the community in her new role as principal and ready to lead the school into the future.

Catholic schools undergo security reviews, upgrades ‘NaviGate Prepared’ system designed to improve safety technology SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Imagine an armed intruder tries to sneak in a side door at Charlotte Catholic High School. Or a fire starts inside Holy Trinity Middle School, and not every student can be accounted for after the building is evacuated. Or there is a hostage situation in a classroom at St. Michael School.

Sadly, emergency scenarios such as these are not unimaginable, and the recent spate of school shootings around the country have prompted school leaders to take a careful look at the security and safety at all of the Diocese of Charlotte’s 19 schools.

“The safety of our students is a top priority,” Dr. Janice Ritter, diocesan superintendent of schools, assured parents, teachers and students following the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., that killed 17 people.

After that tragedy, diocesan school leaders sought to strengthen their security measures, which already include regular school safety drills, “active shooter” training for staff, strictly controlled building access points, and more.

As part of this security initiative, a “security and threat assessment” was undertaken by active and retired Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department officers at all 19 schools. Their recommendations for each school were recently evaluated and shared with the principals; Anthony Morlando, director of

diocesan properties and risk management; Ritter; and other diocesan leaders.

“Each school received specific recommendations,” Morlando said. “Besides additional training for faculty, staff and students, other recommendations included adding card readers on access doors, more cameras, doubleentry door vestibules to better control access from the front entranceway, controlling or restricting access from other entryways besides the front door, and directing access to the front office instead of hallways.”

Safety improvements such as these were made at several of the schools over the summer.

Additional recommendations are still being evaluated and implemented at each school.

In addition, the diocese is investing in a new emergency response safety system that will assist school officials and first responders before, during and after a crisis.

The system – called NaviGate Prepared – uses cloud-based technology to securely organize important emergency preparedness plans and associated information, such as call lists, personnel photos, building maps, color-coded floor plans and 360-degree photographs of important building areas such as classrooms, offices, hallways and emergency exits.

Highly secure, the system offers authorized users in the diocese and first responders – including 911 dispatchers – immediate, real-time access to this

safety information from any web-authorized device.

No matter the severity of the situation, emergency response teams can rapidly and easily access the cloud-based system, even if a building is inaccessible.

“Moving forward in this direction is a most positive step for our schools and demonstrates in a very concrete way the emphasis placed on school safety by diocesan leadership,” Ritter said.

In an emergency, NaviGate Prepared includes the ability to integrate floor plans and reunification procedures, tap into live security camera feeds and quickly locate critical resources such as gas, water and electrical shut-off valves, entrances and exits, designated evacuation sites, individual classroom numbers and more.

Additionally, NaviGate Prepared features an integrated and secure mobile application that allows staff to account for students by name, while also providing instant access to emergency and crisis plans for use during training drills and emergencies.

With the aid of this system, school staff will be able to quickly identify if a child is not accounted for when a school is evacuated, first responders will be able to view a building layout during a hostage situation, and much more.

In addition to heightening school safety, NaviGate Prepared will also aid school leaders in the preparation of annual safety planning documentation and will provide school administrators with the ability to easily schedule, manage and track annual safety training drills.

‘The safety of our students is a top priority.’

Dr. Janice Ritter Diocese of Charlotte superintendent of schools

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOL

Catholic schools reach out to the Latino community CÉSAR HURTADO HISPANIC REPORTER

Escuelas Católicas se acercan a la comunidad Latina CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE — Classes at the Diocese of Charlotte’s 19 schools will start CHARLOTTE — Las clases en las 19 escuelas católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte comenzarán Wednesday, Aug. 22, but the diocesan Schools Office is not letting up on its el miércoles 22 de agosto, pero mientras tanto la Oficina de las Escuelas diocesanas no dan renewed effort to recruit minority students. un paso atrás en su renovado esfuerzo de llevar a sus aulas a estudiantes de poblaciones The schools office has hired Angelica Hurtado as its new coordinator of minoritarias. student recruitment and retention for the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools La Oficina Escolar ha contratado a Angelica Hurtado como su nueva coordinadora de – spearheading the campaign to encourage more reclutamiento y retención de estudiantes para las minority families to consider Catholic education Escuelas Católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Hurtado for their children. impulsa la campaña para alentar que más familias de The percentage of non-white student enrollment, minorías consideren la educación Católica como una including Hispanics and African Americans, across alternativa de instrucción para sus hijos. the diocese’s 19 schools is in the single digits, El porcentaje de estudiantes no blancos, incluyendo although Hispanic representation is on the rise. hispanos y afroamericanos, a través de las 19 escuelas “Increasing student diversity in our 19 Catholic de la diócesis es mínimo y solo alcanza un dígito, schools is very important to school and diocesan pese a que la representación hispana se encuentra en leadership,” emphasizes Dr. Janice Ritter, aumento. superintendent of diocesan schools. “We are most “Incrementar la diversidad de estudiantes en nuestras pleased to welcome Angelica Hurtado to this 19 escuelas es muy importante para las escuelas y el position. Her main task is to attract and enroll liderazgo de nuestra diócesis”, enfatizó la Dra. Janice students who reflect the diversity of the Catholic Ritter, superintendente de las escuelas diocesanas. population in the Diocese of Charlotte.”

“Estamos felices de dar la bienvenida a Angelica Ritter herself has taken part in a series of Hurtado a esta posición. Su tarea principal es atraer information sessions being held starting in the y enrolar estudiantes que reflejen la diversidad de la Charlotte area, sessions designed to make families población Católica en la Diócesis de Charlotte”, añadió. aware of how to apply for Catholic school and how La misma Superintendente ha tomado parte en la to apply for possible financial aid. serie de sesiones informativas que se vienen ofreciendo At the latest session, held July 27 at St. Gabriel en el área de Charlotte. Las charlas han sido designadas Church, Ritter greeted the attendees in Spanish para concientizar a las familias sobre el proceso de and urged parents that they join the Catholic matrícula y la posibilidad de solicitar ayuda financiera. education system. “Thank you for your interest in En la última sesión llevada a cabo el 27 de julio en Catholic schools. I think we have very good schools la Iglesia San Gabriel, Ritter saludó a los visitantes en in the Diocese of Charlotte and I would love for español y los invitó a que se unan al sistema educativo CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD your children to participate,” she told the audience.

Las escuelas católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte realizan una campaña para informar Católico.

“Our mission is to reach all students who desire “Gracias por su interés en las escuelas Católicas. a la comunidad sobre las ventajas de la educación católica y la ayuda financiera a Catholic education and we want the population Creo que tenemos muy buenas escuelas en la Diócesis disponible. of our schools to be a reflection of the participation Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools is conducting a campaign to inform the de Charlotte y estaríamos encantados que sus niños in our churches and communities. Having that participen en ellas”, dijo a la audiencia. community about the advantages of Catholic education and the financial assistance cultural diversity will be a great help for current available.

“Nuestra misión es llegar a todos los estudiantes and future students,” she said. que desea una educación Católica y queremos que la The superintendent assured that Catholic schools población de nuestras escuelas sean un reflejo de la are capable of offering an education that parents cannot find in other places – participación en nuestras iglesias y comunidades. Tener esa diversidad cultural será de gran public, charter or private schools. “We are Catholic, so our Catholic faith is the ayuda para nuestros actuales y futuros estudiantes”, dijo. basis of everything we do in our schools. Having an education based on faith is La superintendente aseguró que las escuelas Católicas son capaces de ofrecer una educación important for us and for parents. We believe that our students are ready to learn que los padres no pueden encontrar en otros lugares, ya sean escuelas públicas, charter o and the environment we provide them leads to learning,” she said. privadas. “Nosotros somos Católicos, nuestra fe Católica es la base de todo lo que hacemos en Catholic schools offer a variety of specialties with strong curricular content in nuestras escuelas. Tener una educación basada en la fe es importante para nosotros y los padres. disciplines such as music, languages, technology, arts, sports and more.

Creemos que nuestros estudiantes están listos para aprender y el ambiente que les proveemos los “We not only teach our children our faith, we help them live it,” Ritter said. guía hacia ello”, anotó.

And through community service projects, they teach students to serve others, Las escuelas Católicas ofrecen una gran variedad de especialidades con un fuerte contenido either locally or internationally. curricular en disciplinas como música, tecnología, arte, deportes y más.

Antonia Guerra, one of the attendees at the July 27 information session, said “Nosotros no solo enseñamos nuestra fe a nuestros niños, les enseñamos a vivirla”, subrayó she had assumed Catholic schools were “unreachable” for her two children. “At Ritter. Y a través de proyectos de servicio comunitario enseñan a los estudiantes a servir a otros, first I had believed that I could not afford to enroll my children in a Catholic ya sea local o internacionalmente. school. Now, with the explanation they have given, I will make the effort and Antonia Guerra, una de las asistentes a la sesión informativa del 27 de julio, dijo que pensaba complete the documentation needed so next year my son can attend a school que las escuelas católicas eran algo “inalcanzable” para sus dos hijos. “Yo creía que no podría where, apart from learning the subjects, he can pray as we have taught him at matricular a mi hijo en una escuela Católica. Ahora, con la explicación que me han dado, voy a home.” hacer el esfuerzo y completar todos los papeles para que el próximo año mi niño pueda atender una escuela donde, aparte de estudiar, pueda rezar como le hemos enseñado en casa”.

Applying for Catholic school

Para matricularse en una Escuela Católica

If you live in the Charlotte area, you can apply to any of the nine schools in the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system online at www.discovermacs.org. Find the right school for your family by using the helpful online map and guide to each school.

Review the academic curricula for elementary, middle and high schools, and check out the arts, athletics and extracurricular offerings. For inquiries, call 704-370-3273.

Parish-based schools operate in Asheville, Gastonia, Greensboro, Hendersonville, High Point, Salisbury and Winston-Salem, and the diocesan-operated Bishop McGuinness High School is located in Kernersville. Check each school’s website for details on enrollment and tuition assistance.

The admissions process begins with early admissions in January and general admissions in March, continuing as space is available.

Tuition rates and fees vary by school and by grade, with diocesan parish-based schools setting their own tuition rates and MACS schools having a uniform set of rates. MACS tuition rates for the 2018-’19 year are posted online at www.discovermacs.org/tuition.

All of the schools offer some sort of tuition discount or subsidy for registered participating Catholic families, up to 30 percent in some cases. Generally speaking, tuition amounts range from approximately $6,000 to $11,000 for registered Catholics, with non-participating Catholics and non-Catholics paying higher amounts. Multiple child discounts are available.

An at-a-glance guide to all 19 diocesan schools is on pages 6-7.

Si vive en el área de Charlotte, puede inscribirse en línea en cualquiera de las nueve escuelas del sistema Escolar Católico del Área de Mecklenburg (MACS) en www.discovermacs.org. Ahí puede encontrar la escuela adecuada para su familia través del mapa y la guía de cada escuela. Revise el currículo académico de las escuelas primarias, intermedias y secundarias, y considere las actividades extracurriculares como las artes y el atletismo. Para consultas, llame al 704-370-3273.

Fuera del área metropolitana de Charlotte, otras escuelas parroquiales operan en Asheville, Gastonia, Greensboro, Hendersonville, High Point, Salisbury y Winston-Salem. La escuela secundaria Bishop McGuinness operada por la diócesis, se encuentra en Kernersville. Consulte el sitio web de cada escuela para obtener detalles sobre la matrícula y asistencia financiera.

El proceso de admisión comienza con las admisiones tempranas en enero y las admisiones generales en marzo, mientras exista espacio disponible.

Las tarifas de matrícula varían según la escuela y el grado. Las escuelas parroquiales diocesanas establecen su propia matrícula y las escuelas MACS tienen una tarifa constante entre sus escuelas. Las tarifas de matrícula de MACS para el año escolar 2018-1919 se publican en línea en www.discovermacs.org/tuition.

Todas las escuelas ofrecen algún tipo de descuento o subsidio de matrícula para las familias católicas registradas en una parroquia, hasta un 30 por ciento en algunos casos. En términos generales, el costo de matrícula varía entre $ 6,000 a $ 11,000 anuales para católicos registrados, con matrículas más altas para ‘católicos no participantes’ y ‘no católicos’. También se ofrecen descuentos adicionales si matriculan a más de un niño.

Una guía rápida de las 19 escuelas diocesanas se encuentra en las páginas 6-7.

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOLI

Catholic school families benefit from FFHL tuition assistance funds SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — For the second year, families have another source of help to be able to afford the cost of a Catholic education for their children.

Funds from the Diocese of Charlotte’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign specifically earmarked for tuition assistance are being distributed again this fall.

The $65 million FFHL campaign, which is funding capital needs and endowments for parishes and ministries across the diocese, among other initiatives, is expected to bring in $3.7 million to fund a tuition assistance endowment for diocesan schools – and some of that help is available now.

The FFHL campaign has surpassed its goal in pledges and has received $47.7 million in payments through June 30. That amount is expected

to rise as pledge payments continue coming in through 2019.

The new tuition assistance endowment is being administered by a committee consisting of the diocesan superintendent of schools, diocesan chief financial officer and

members of the diocesan school board. Available income from the endowment will be distributed to qualifying diocesan schools each year for student financial aid.

An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is never FFHL, SEE PAGE 12

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$4M fund helps pay Catholic students’ tuition SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — An estate gift from a credit card executive who went on to create a nationally-recognized personal finance curriculum to help young people manage debt is helping to pay for children in the Diocese of Charlotte attend Catholic school for free.

Before his death in 2017, C. Philip Johnston, 88, set up the “C. Philip Johnston – Aline W. Kaneer Scholarship Fund” with $4 million from his estate.

Students from all 19 Catholic schools in the diocese will be eligible for scholarship awards, which are expected to total $200,000 each year.

The money will be used to pay the full tuition cost for students who qualify for aid.

The recently received initial distribution of $87,385, combined with additional distributions to be received this fiscal year, will fund the first year of scholarship awards for the 2019-’20 school year.

Johnston, a Catholic convert, was born in Charlotte but lived all over the country before retiring in the Southeast. He attended Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., which is where he made the decision to enter

the Church, according to his nephew Greg Johnston. He earned a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1958. He worked in the entertainment industry, but when acting work became scarce, he took a “temporary job” working for Conrad Hilton in a new credit card venture called Carte Blanche.

He rose to success in the emerging credit card industry and, after reaching the position of senior vice president at a large regional bank in St. Louis, he left the banking side of the credit card industry to lead a non-profit organization specializing in consumer credit counseling.

Johnston had recognized the need to teach people how to manage personal debt, so he partnered with a national group of educators and economists to create a curriculum in personal finance for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

“The beauty of an endowment is that it provides income in perpetuity, so the impact of the distributions from an endowment literally go on for generations,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director.

“Through Philip Johnston’s generosity, many students who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to go to Catholic school will now benefit by receiving a Catholic education.”

Endowment funds for the benefit of our schools and Catholic education The Diocese of Charlotte Foundation manages 57 endowments totaling $11,256,978 that directly aid the diocese’s 19 schools and their students: n American Schlafhorst Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students at Charlotte Catholic High School. n Asheville Catholic School Foundation Endowment Fund: Financial support to enable the school to retain quality teachers, offer scholarship assistance, provide continuing education for teachers, and enhance the school’s curriculum. n Joseph and Margaret Baldi Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for children of St. Leo Parish families to attend St. Leo School in Winston-Salem. n Bishop McGuinness High School Endowment Fund: Financial support for the education of students at this school in Kernersville. n Joan W. Books Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for children of Immaculate Conception Parish to attend Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Elizabeth Allen Brown Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Asheville Catholic School. n Molly Cassidy Scholarship Fund: Tuition assistance for students in Catholic Schools in the Triad area. n Charlotte Catholic High School Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarships for graduating seniors to attend a college of their choice. n Charlotte Catholic High School Alumni Association Board Discretionary Endowment Fund: Financial assistance, at the board’s discretion, to Charlotte Catholic High School students. n James P. and Eunice S. Cherry Scholarship Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students to attend St. Michael School in Gastonia. n Cornelius Alexander Davis Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Leo School in Winston Salem. n Digger Dawson Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students from Immaculate Conception Church attending Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Derhofer Endowment Fund: For drama department productions, capital needs related to the drama department, and tuition assistance for students at Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville. n Deussen Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarships for Catholic high school education in the greater Charlotte area. n Faucette Endowment Fund: Financial assistance for the educational ministry of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte. n Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love campaign endowment: Tuition assistance n Gayden and Janell Gauthier Fund: Tuition scholarship assistance for students at Immaculata School in Hendersonville.

n Gismondi Family Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for children of St. Mark Church parishioners to attend Christ the King High School in Huntersville. n Megan Healy Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students at St. Patrick School in Charlotte. n Edith and George Hilbert Endowment Fund for Asheville Catholic School: Financial support for the education of students at Asheville Catholic School. n Immaculata School Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students at Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Immaculate Heart of Mary School Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point. n Roger Kavanagh Tuition Assistance Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Pius X School in Greensboro. n Leeolou Family Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for families of Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools. n LoBianco Family Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Therese of Lisieux Church in Mooresville and St. Mark Church in Huntersville to attend Christ the King High School. n Catherine McAuley Endowment Fund: Scholarships to Catholic students attending Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools. n Francis J. McGrail Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance to students of Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point. n Sandy McMonagle Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem. n Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools Education Development Council: Assistance to the nine MACS schools in the Charlotte area. n Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) Special Needs Endowment Fund: For Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools’ students with special needs. n Monsignor Lawrence C. Newman Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem. n Vic Nussbaum Jr. Memorial Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Pius X School in Greensboro. n Our Lady of Grace School Endowment Fund: For the general needs of this school in Greensboro. n Poutre Family Endowment Fund: For the general needs of Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Quinn Family Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Clark G. Ross Scholarship Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for Catholic students from Catholic parishes in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties to attend Catholic high schools in these counties, Davidson College or

Queens University. n Sacred Heart School Endowment Fund: For the general needs of this school in Salisbury. n Sheridan-Mangan Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Asheville Catholic School. n Sisters of Mercy Scholarship Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Michael School in Gastonia. n Victoria Sleeman Endowment Fund: Scholarships for students of Immaculate Conception Church to attend Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Frank Spinks Endowment Fund: For professional development activities for the staff at Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Mary Spinks Endowment Fund: For scholarship assistance to minority students at Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Michael Sullivan Endowment Fund: Scholarships for graduates of Charlotte Catholic High School. n St. Ann School Endowment Fund: For the general needs of this school in Charlotte. n St. Gabriel School Endowment Fund: For the general needs of this school in Charlotte. n St. Mary Church Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for children of St. Mary’s parishioners attending Our Lady of Grace and St. Pius X schools in Greensboro and Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville. n St. Joseph Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students at Asheville Catholic School. n St. Leo the Great School Endowment Fund: Financial assistance for the general needs of this school in Winston-Salem. n St. Michael School Endowment Fund: For the general needs of this school in Gastonia. n St. Pius X Catholic School Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at this school in Greensboro. n Theresa Lasecki Talbert Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville. n F. Joseph Treacy Endowment Fund: For scholarship assistance for students in all nine Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools. n Triad Educational Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance to students attending a Catholic elementary or high school in the Triad area. n Villalon Family Endowment Fund: Financial assistance for students at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville. n Sabrinia Watt Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Sister Paulette Williams Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarships for graduating seniors from Charlotte Catholic High School to attend a college of their choice. n Wos-Dejoy Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Pius X School in Greensboro.

Endowments aid students, schools $2,646,992 has been distributed from 57 endowments managed by the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation that directly benefited students and schools

Did you know? $2.7 million in financial aid was provided to students in the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system in 2016’17, with 86 percent of families who applied being awarded financial aid.

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iiiAugust 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com

CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOL

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

Our Catholic Schools The Diocese of Charlotte School System is comprised of 19 schools operating in three separate formats: Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS), diocesan parish-based schools and a diocesan-based high school.

Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools Mission Statement The Mission of the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Charlotte is to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and to provide a religious and academic program that allows each student to develop spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially, so that each is prepared to live and serve in a changing society as a self-respecting and responsible citizen.

Leadership

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; 336-722-7204 www.ourladyofmercyschool.org Sister Geri Rogers, SSJ, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 183 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 for PK, 15:1 for K-8 Upcoming open houses: 9 a.m.-noon, Jan. 10 and Jan. 29; 5-7 p.m. Feb. 21; 9 a.m.-noon, March 7; 5-7 p.m.

March 26

St. Leo Catholic School 333 Springdale Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27104; 336-748-8252 www.stleocatholic.com Gary Callus, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 232 Student-teacher ratio: 14:1

St. Pius X Catholic School 2200 North Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27408; 336-273-9865 www.spxschool.com Christopher Kloesz, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 450 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Upcoming open houses: PK-1: 9:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7; all ages: 9:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30

Diocesan High School

Our Lady of Grace Catholic School 201 South Chapman St., Greensboro, NC 27403; 336-275-1522 www.olgsch.org Catherine Rusch, principal Grades: PK3-8 Enrollment: 240 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 for PK, 15:1 for K-8

4145 Johnson St., High Point, NC 27265; 336-887-2613 www.ihm-school.com Greg Roberts, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 222 Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 for PK, 14:1 for K-5, 10:1 for 6-8 Upcoming open houses: PK-1: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23; All grades: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, and Thursday, April 11

Sacred Heart Catholic School 385 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC 28147; 704-633-2841 www.salisburycatholicschool.org Tyler Kulp, principal Grades: K-8 Enrollment: 185 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1

5 essential marks of a Catholic school 1. Inspired by a supernatural vision 2. Founded on Christian anthropology 3. Animated by communion and community 4. Imbued with a Catholic worldview throughout its curriculum

Asheville Catholic School

St. Michael Catholic School

12 Culvern St., Asheville, NC 28804; 828-252-7896 www.ashevillecatholic.org Michael Miller, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 185-200 Student-teacher ratio: 19:1

704 St. Michael’s Lane, Gastonia, NC 28052; 704-865-4382 www.stmichaelcs.com Sheila Levesque, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 148 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 for K-5, 18:1 for 6-8 Upcoming open house: Jan. 27

5. Sustained by Gospel witness — From: “The Holy See’s Teaching On Catholic Schools,” Archbishop J. Michael Miller, C.S.B.

Immaculata Catholic School 711 N. Buncombe St., Hendersonville, NC 28791; 828-693-3277 www.immac.org Meredith Canning, principal Grades: PK (ages 3-4), K-8 Enrollment: 143 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Upcoming open house: 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Feb. 6

Bishop McGuinness High School

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School

Diocesan Parish-based Schools This includes 9 schools serving kindergarten through eighth grade and, in some instances, preschool. While each school is part of the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools, they are directly tied to, and administered by, a corresponding parish. For admissions details, contact the individual school.

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville serves the Triad area of North Carolina.

1725 N.C. Hwy. 66 South, Kernersville, NC 27284; 336-564-1010 www.bmhs.us Tracy A. Shaw, principal Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: 375 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Upcoming open house: 9 a.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 3

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) A centralized, regional system of schools in the Charlotte area that includes 9 schools (2 high schools, a middle school, 4 elementary schools, some with PK and TK, and 2 K-8 schools). Tuition for participating Catholics ranges from $4,026 for half-day PK to $11,038 for high school. For admissions info, call 704-370-3273.

Christ the King Catholic High School

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School

2011 Crusader Way, Huntersville, NC 28078; 704-799-4400 www.ctkchs.org Dr. Carl Semmler, principal Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: 310 Student-teacher ratio: 9:1

4225 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215; 704-531-0067 www.olacatholic.org Allana-Rae Ramkissoon, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 145 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1

Charlotte Catholic High School

St. Ann Catholic School

7702 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226; 704-543-1127 www.gocchs.com Kurt Telford, principal Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: 1,240 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1

600 Hillside Ave., Charlotte, NC 28209; 704-525-4938 www.stanncatholic.org Kathy McKinney, principal Grades: PK, TK and K-5 Enrollment: 186 Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School

St. Gabriel Catholic School

3100 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209; 704-527-7822 www.htcms.org Kevin Parks, principal Grades: 6-8 Enrollment: 815 Student-teacher ratio: 13:1

3028 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211; 704-366-2409 www.stgabrielcatholicschool.org Michele Snoke, principal Grades: K-5 Enrollment: 573

1125 Buchanan St., Charlotte, NC 28203; 704-333-3174 www.saintpatrickschool.org Amy Tobergte, principal Grades: K-5 Enrollment: 219 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1

Prospective families can take a tour of the school campus, watch fine arts performances, hear students speak about

their experiences, meet with teachers, and schedule a shadow day (for the middle and high schools only).

MACS will hold an open house at all nine schools for prospective parents at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30.

Accreditation All of the diocese’s 19 schools are fully accredited by AdvancEd, the largest community of preK-12 education professionals in the world, serving more than 36,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in more than 70 countries that educate more than 20 million students.

AdvancEd provides accreditation and continuous improvement resources to preK-12 institutions, and conducts rigorous, on-site external reviews of preK-12 institutions to ensure continuous improvement.

Admissions, tuition

St. Mark Catholic School 14750 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, NC 28078; 704-766-­5000 www.stmarkcatholicschool.net Deborah Butler, principal Grades: K-8 Enrollment: 717 Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

St. Matthew Catholic School 11525 Elm Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277; 704-544-2070 www.stmattwildcats.com Kevin O’Herron, principal Grades: TK-5 Enrollment: 530 Student-teacher ratio: 11:1

St. Patrick Catholic School

Open houses NOTE: ENROLLMENT NUMBERS ARE FOR THE PRIOR ACADEMIC YEAR OR AS REPORTED BY THE SCHOOL. SOURCES INCLUDE THE EDUCATION VICARIATE’S WEBSITE AT WWW.CHARLOTTEDIOCESE.ORG, DIOCESAN SCHOOLS STAFF, AND THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL WEBSITES. PHOTOS PROVIDED

The diocesan school system is overseen by Vicar of Education Father Roger K. Arnsparger and led

by Dr. Janice Ritter, superintendent of schools. Debbie Mixer is assistant superintendent of schools, and Jacqueline Durrett is director of educational technology and special projects.

Lay leadership is provided by an appointed diocesan school board comprised of parents, teachers and principals. MACS also has its own appointed school board.

The admissions process begins with early admissions in January and general admissions in March, continuing as space is available.

Tuition rates and fees vary by school and by grade, with diocesan parishbased schools setting their own tuition rates and MACS schools having a uniform set of rates. MACS tuition rates for the 2018-’19 year are posted online at www.discovermacs.org/tuition.

All of the schools offer some sort of tuition discount or subsidy for registered participating Catholic families, up to 30 percent in some cases. Generally speaking, tuition amounts range from approximately $6,000 to $11,000 for registered Catholics, with non-participating Catholics and non-Catholics paying higher amounts. Multiple child discounts are available.

For MACS schools, go to its webpage, www.discovermacs.org, to learn more and download application information, or call 704-370-3273. Admission information for each diocesan parishbased school and at Bishop McGuinness High School can be found on their websites.

Prospective parents are encouraged to attend open houses at the school or schools they are eyeing.

Tuition assistance Have you ever considered Catholic education for your children but wondered if it was within your reach?

A Catholic education may be more accessible than you realize, with needsbased tuition assistance available to qualified families. For details about the MACS tuition assistance program, call 704-370-3273 or go online to www. discovermacs.org/financialaid.

The diocesan parish-based schools and Bishop McGuinness High School offer similar need-based tuition assistance to qualified students. Details can be found on each school’s website.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOL

MACS Education Annual Fund supports teachers, students The MACS Education Annual Fund serves more than 4,500 students, teachers and principals in the nine Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools.

Over the past 26 years, financial support from donors through the Educational Excellence Annual Campaign has allowed us to: equip principals with monetary resources they need to allow their school to perform their best, encourage teachers to think creatively and share innovative ideas in the classrooms, educate students in a variety of subjects such as religion, art, music, STEM, physical education and more.

Grants for Educational Excellence are offered to our teachers to recognize and support their creative initiative in providing our students with new and different avenues in which to learn.

Grants are funded based on innovation, creativity, and the overall impact on the classroom experience.

Thanks to Catholic school supporters, the following received GEE grants in 2017-’18: n Beth Acitelli, Lori Hoyle, Leo Maganares: zyBooks for Technology and Engineering, Technology and Engineering n Jaimee Adams: Totally Advent and Totally Lent, Religion n Crystal Androsky: Future Ready Library, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math n Bernadine Armstrong, Mary Strauss, Patricia Frantz, Lynn Polian: Hands on Religion, Literacy and Religion n Dawn Bonen-Clark: Google Read and Write, Literacy and Learning Enrichment n Michelle Boyle: Brains Body & Books, Literacy n Leslie Burg, Mandy Daigle, Leona Dedrick, Jessica DeMartine: No Bones About It, Science n Maureen Cherry: Move to Stay Seated, MAP/Special Needs n Mary Kay Connery, Linda Gimeli, Lynn Ruff: Makers Empire 3D Learning System, STEM, Science and Technology n Sister Agnes Cousins: Maps for Theology Classroom, Theology n Josef Cruz: World Drumming, Music n Melissa Davis, Ellen Deem, Katherine Austin: The ReSearch is On, Social Studies and Science n Stacey Desormeaux: Teaching Through Truthful Tales, Literacy n Patti Dickson: Phonics, Literacy n Rebekah DiGavero, Carol Huss: Classroom Response System, Math and English SAT Prep n William Fountain: Aeronautical Science, Science n Meghan Hader: Let’s “Break Out” of the Box!, Math n Amy Harrold: Drums Alive!, Music and Health n Jennifer Heekin, Catherine McIndoe: Battle of the Books, Literacy n Kelly Henderson, Patty Croghan, LouAnn Brady, Patti Dickson: Raz-Kids Science A-Z, Literacy n Lisa Horton: Osmo in the Classroom, Technology n Brian Joyce: Smart Music Interactive, Music n Tara Kane: Connecting to World Around Us, Social Studies n Darlene Konopasek: Architecture is Elementary, Arts MACS, SEE PAGE 11

Triad Schools Foundation funds needs at six area schools The Triad Catholic Schools Foundation’s mission is to enrich and expand Catholic education by raising funds for quality programs within the six schools in the Triad region.

2017-’18 campaign Through generous financial contributions from the 2017-’18 Annual Giving Campaign supporters, these schools were able to:

BISHOP MCGUINNESS HIGH SCHOOL Grow the endowment to secure long-term future of the school Provide tuition assistance for families seeking an exceptional Catholic education Enhance instructional technology to improve the quality of classroom instruction

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Provide tuition assistance to families in need

OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL Provide tuition assistance opportunities so that all families may have access to our Catholic school

OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL Provide tuition assistance for families in need Provide curriculum resources for classrooms and professional development for teachers

ST. LEO PARISH SCHOOL Assist families in developing the best financial plan to provide a quality Catholic education for their children

ST. PIUS X SCHOOL Enhance instructional technology to improve the quality of classroom instruction throughout the K-8 program Provide tuition assistance to keep St. Pius X School accessible, affordable, and available to all families who could not otherwise afford a Catholic education

2018-’19 campaign In addition, financial contributions to the 2018-’19 Triad Catholic Schools Foundation Annual Giving Campaign will support:

BISHOP MCGUINNESS HIGH SCHOOL Grow the endowment to secure long-term future of the school Provide tuition assistance for families seeking an exceptional Catholic education Provide instructional technology resources to engage students and create active learners

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Provide tuition assistance for families in need

OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL Provide tuition assistance opportunities so that all families may have access to Catholic education TRIAD, SEE PAGE 11

MACS fine arts center capital campaign set to launch in 2019 SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — The public phase for a capital campaign is expected to start next year to raise money for a long-awaited fine arts center which would serve all of the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools.

The MACS Office, the Charlotte Catholic High School Development Office and the Diocese of Charlotte Development Office are collaborating on plans for the fine arts center, which would be located on the campus of Charlotte Catholic High School. It would serve the MACS schools and be available to the wider community.

Since Charlotte Catholic High School moved to its present location on PinevilleMatthews Road in 1995, school leaders have recognized the need for providing a dedicated fine arts facility.

Especially as the award-winning chorus, band, theater and visual arts programs at MACS schools have grown, space has become more limited.

“After years of hard work and careful planning, we are very excited about this much needed expansion,” said Kurt Telford, principal of Charlotte Catholic High School.

Telford stressed that the expansion will benefit all students and families by enhancing other programs at the high school.

“Classrooms currently used for visual and performing arts courses will be freed up for other academic and athletic uses,” Telford said. “In addition, a renovation and expansion of athletic facilities adjacent to the gymnasium is a part of the overall plan.”

The last time a fine arts center at Charlotte Catholic High School was considered was in 2011, when planning was also under way for the high school’s stadium renovation and parking deck. The stadium renovation and parking deck were completed in 2015.

Plans call for the MACS capital fee to provide $15 million of the project’s total projected $23.3 million cost.

The approximately 54,000-square-foot, two-story building would house a 650-seat auditorium and a high-quality performance and exhibit space for MACS students. It would also house two art studios and a band

room, broadcast studio, ceramics studio, dance studio, dark room and digital lab, photography lab, stage and theater.

Charlotte Catholic’s visual and performing arts classes would move to the new center, freeing up space in the existing high school building for regular classrooms as well as space for a weight room, wrestling room and additional academic uses.

The fine arts center would be located on the site of a gravel parking lot, adjacent to the current gymnasium wing of the high school.

Jim Kelley, diocesan development director, noted that the schools have not conducted a major regional capital campaign since the mid-1990s, when Charlotte Catholic was relocated.

The decision to proceed with the capital campaign was a collective decision made by the Diocese of Charlotte, MACS and Charlotte Catholic leadership after conducting a planning study. Ninety-four percent of personal interview participants demonstrated support for a capital campaign.

Christ the King High School to begin capital campaign this spring HUNTERSVILLE — Christ the King High School has received approval from the Diocese of Charlotte to begin a capital campaign in the spring of 2019 to build a state-of-the-art gymnasium, theater and multipurpose complex.

“Christ the King is blessed to have the full support of the diocese,” said Dr. Carl Semmler, principal. “In the past, the MACS Capital Fee has supported the school with over $20 million in projects. With continued guidance from the diocese and full support from our constituents, I am excited about our future.”

This summer school leaders are consulting with architects, diocesan officials and a committee of parents, benefactors and administration to finalize the vision and details of the space.

Key features of the complex are expected to include new men’s and women’s locker

rooms, a stage, a fitness center and increased seating for spectators.

“This is a natural progression for a school that has grown from 28 students to over 300 in seven years,” Semmler noted.

As a part of its overall planning, Christ the King High School recently completed a campaign planning study. Eighty-nine percent of respondents demonstrated support for a capital campaign.

In response to the study, Semmler said that he is amazed at the enthusiasm from the community to support the school. He said he is confident parents, prospective parents, community members, businesses and benefactors will take Christ the King High School to the next level.

“I can’t wait to sit in the new complex enjoying a school musical, basketball game or First Friday Mass,” he said.

— Catholic News Herald

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOLI

Bishop McGuinness High School partnering with Center for Creative Leadership

CCDOC.ORG

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

KERNERSVILLE — Bishop McGuinness High School is partnering with the Center for Creative Leadership to create a Leadership Program for the 2018-’19 school year and beyond.

The Center for Creative Leadership, based in Greensboro, is a global leadership development and educational nonprofit organization. The center works with schools and school systems locally and across the country to develop their leadership capacity.

The leadership program at Bishop McGuinness High School will involve the entire school community in an extensive program designed to expand the school’s existing culture of equipping students with the skills needed to be global citizens.

A 10-member leadership team – comprised of parents, students, teachers and administrators – kicked off the program with a mini retreat June 7 led by CCL at its center in Greensboro.

The leadership team and CCL have since met throughout the summer to build and create a program specifically designed for the high school.

The high school will kick off the new academic year with a two-day leadership retreat Aug. 29-30.

“What has been amazing about this process so far is we are living out our

Success in School Starts Here mission to ‘serve in a world in need of peace, love and justice’,” noted Principal Tracy Shaw. “Each step in the journey has allowed us to really look at who we are and how we can support each other so that we can be the best possible person, hence becoming a stronger community and giving us the strength and courage to speak up for what we believe.”

Shaw said it will be exciting to see how this process will play out in classrooms, group projects, retreats, Mass and day-today interactions with each other at the high school.

“I feel blessed to be able to give this opportunity to our school community,” Shaw said.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOL

Academic Excellence and Spiritual Enrichment since 1955

Campus Ministry: College is 4 years; your Catholic faith 4ever Off to college? Want to meet new lifetime friends? Look for Catholic Campus Ministry on your campus. They may have tables outside church and at campus club/organization fairs.

Prospective Parent Open House Dates Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade 9:30 AM-11:00 AM

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade 9:30 AM-11:00 AM 2200 North Elm Street • Greensboro, NC 27455 • 336-273-9865 • www.spxschool.com

develop a closer relationship with God, continue forming their conscience within the teachings of our faith, build faith communities on campus, develop as future leaders and stewards of the Catholic community, and engage in social justice-oriented learning and activities.

All Catholic students attending university or college in the diocese are welcome in the Catholic Campus Ministry community at: n Appalachian State University (with outreach to Lenoir-Rhyne University) n Bennett College and North Carolina A&T (Thea House) n Davidson College n UNC-Asheville (with outreach to Warren Wilson College, AB Tech Community College and Mars Hill University) n UNC-Charlotte (with outreach to Queens University, Johnson C. Smith University, Wingate University, Central Piedmont Community College and Johnson & Wales UniversityCharlotte) n UNC-Greensboro (with outreach to Greensboro College, Guilford College and High Point University) n Wake Forest University (with outreach to Salem College and North Carolina School of the Arts) n Western Carolina University

Or they may be helping first-year students settle in their rooms or participating in the Week of Welcome (WOW) on your campus.

Wherever they are and whatever year you are, you are welcome to join them. Go to www. catholiconcampus.com and click on “Directory” to find and contact the Campus Minister at your college or university.

Campus Ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte serves college students throughout western North Carolina, enabling them to continue their faith journey as young adults. Campus Ministry encourages young adult Catholics to

More online At www.catholiconcampus.com: Get more information about Catholic Campus Ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte

Belmont Abbey College

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Home to more than 1,700 students, Belmont Abbey College is a Benedictine liberal arts college that believes in the development of the whole person – mind, body and spirit – so that “in all things God may be glorified.” Its mission is to provide an education that will enable students to lead lives of integrity, succeed professionally, become responsible citizens and be a blessing to themselves and others.

With its intimate, historic setting and a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, Belmont Abbey College has become one of the most recognized Catholic campuses in the United States.

Founded in 1876, the college began as a small monastery and school that has grown to become the pride of the local Catholic community for its commitment to high academic standards and its Benedictine heritage.

The monks of Belmont Abbey are a constant presence on the beautiful campus, located only minutes from Charlotte, and it is this unique combination of liberal arts education coupled with a monastic connection that is so appealing to Catholic students in the region, across the nation and around the world. Though it is founded on Benedictine traditions, the college welcomes a diverse body of students regardless of religious affiliation.

The college also boasts a vibrant Adult Degree Program for students aged 23 or older, which is a major draw for those wishing to change careers or continue their education.

Both day and evening courses are available, with majors such as Liberal Studies, Accounting, Business Management, Elementary Education (K-6) and Psychology.

Now Enrolling for 2018-2019 Faith. Academics. Community. Since 1882.

We welcome all faiths!

(704) 633-2841 www.salisburycatholicschool.org 385 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury

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Online At www.belmontabbeycollege.edu: Learn more about Belmont Abbey College

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOLI

MACS FROM PAGE 8

n Celene Little: Learning Ally, Literacy n Debra Ludde: STEM Learning Program and Robots, Technology n Stanley Michalski, Tracy Shoff, Timothy Cook, Brian Joyce: Artist in Residence, Music n Lisa Michalski-Gilkey, Charlotte Bruno: Character and Leadership Development, Leadership Enrichment n Tracey Noonan: Bringing Back the Classics, Literacy n Peggy Palasick, Shannon Ranaletta, Ann Miles: Let’s Talk!, Social Skills and Technology n Lynn Polian, Mary Strauss, Patricia Frantz: LEGO Education, STEM Science, Math, Technology, Literacy and Social Studies n Jessica Rivas, Ashley Samuelson: Google Cardboard-Virtual Reality, Technology n Jessica Rivas� Sphero Spark for Education,

TRIAD FROM PAGE 8

OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL Provide tuition assistance for families in need Grow the endowment to ensure the continuation and growth of our ministries and programs for future generations

ST. LEO PARISH SCHOOL Assist families in developing the best financial plan to provide a quality Catholic education for their children

Technology n Alethea Sproul, Linda Nagel, Miriam Olynick: Learning Support Lab, Learning Enrichment n Carole Watson, Anne Loftin, Crystal Carney: Learning Ally, Literacy n Patricia Wendover, Patricia Frantz, Mary Strauss: Laying the Foundation in Elementary School, Math, Science, Literacy and Religion n Patricia Wendover, Haley Crosby, Crystal Koury: Kinesthetic Learners Meet Success, Learning Enrichment n Lydia Wenning: Everyday Fiction/NonFiction Read-Along Literacy Center, Literacy n Rachel Wilken: Ceramic Arts Program, Arts n Elizabeth Wise, Ashley Samuelson, Melissa Saunders: Battle of the Books, Literacy

Learn more At www.macsedfund.org: Learn more about the mission of the MACS Education Annual Fund

ST. PIUS X SCHOOL Provide students with innovative and challenging tools for learning Provide tuition assistance to all families who could not otherwise afford a Catholic education

How to donate To donate to the Triad Catholic Schools Foundation, visit www.donatetriad.org or mail checks to Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203.

For details, contact Ralph Perez at 704-3703303 or rperez@charlottediocese.org.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOL

This is This

Bishop BISHOP praesis ut prosis

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FFHL FROM PAGE 5

touched, but the income from which can be used according to the wishes of the donor organization or individual. Endowments provide a way to generate income and help sustain the long-term strength and viability of the recipient parish, school or ministry.

FFHL tuition assistance totaling $49,372 was given out for the first time to four schools last school year. The funds aided participating Catholic families with the most significant need.

This year, $76,265 is being awarded to six diocesan schools for the 2018-’19 school year. All schools who applied received funding: Asheville Catholic School, Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville, Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point, Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro, St. Leo School in WinstonSalem and St. Michael School in Gastonia.

The per-school allotment is determined based on total funds available and the total qualifying need submitted by the schools, according to Bill Weldon, diocesan chief financial officer.

To qualify for the tuition assistance funds, the school must receive local parish support of at least $500 per participating Catholic student and must have awarded all of its tuition assistance funds available for that school year. Schools that do not receive $500 per student in parish support may be considered if there are extenuating financial circumstances that preclude this level of support. Qualifying schools may request funds from the FFHL endowment for participating Catholic students with a financial need determined to be 75 percent or greater of the family’s full tuition and fees

‘FFHL has had a significant impact on the work being done in parishes and in ministries across the diocese.’

Jim Kelley

Diocese of Charlotte development director responsibility to the school as determined by a third-party tuition assistance company.

“As the endowment grows, we anticipate awarding approximately $200,000 annually,” Weldon said.

The tuition assistance endowment is one of seven endowments being funded through the FFHL campaign.

“For several years now, FFHL funds have been going to parishes, capital projects and endowments across the diocese,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development, “and this is the second distribution from one of the seven endowments.”

“FFHL has had a significant impact on the work being done in parishes and in ministries across the diocese that provide services to parishioners,” Kelley said.

When the first disbursement was awarded last school year, Dr. Janice Ritter, superintendent of diocesan schools, said she was “deeply grateful that the diocesan administration realized the need for tuition assistance for our families and included a provision in the ‘Forward in the Faith, Hope, and Love’ campaign for this endowment. I know our principals are also appreciative of this additional assistance which can be made available to families with financial need.”

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Open House: October 30 Programs at 9am & 11:30am

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Carismáticos celebraron Congreso CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

KANNAPOLIS — Centenares de fieles participaron en el VIII Congreso Católico Carismático de la Diócesis de Charlotte realizado el pasado sábado 4 y domingo 5 de agosto en Kannapolis, al norte de Charlotte.

Fueron dos días en los que los asistentes pudieron compartir sus vivencias y recibir las enseñanzas del orador invitado, Fernando Casanova, doctor en Teología, muy conocido por su conversión desde el protestantismo al catolicismo, quien ofrece conferencias alrededor del mundo por la defensa de la fe católica.

“Ha sido para nosotros un verdadero honor contar con la presencia de este prestigioso invitado”, dijo Belisario Solórzano, coordinador de la Renovación Carismática de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

“Hemos tenido la suerte de contar con Fernando Casanova, un pastor pentecostal en su tiempo, quien en esta oportunidad nos habló sobre ‘La vida en el espíritu’, ‘La Iglesia como cuerpo de Cristo’, ‘María, madre de Dios’ y ‘La Eucaristía’”, temas muy importantes que despertaron el interés de los asistentes.

“Además invitamos al Padre Gabriel Carvajal, quien celebró la Misa con la que concluimos el Congreso”, señaló Solórzano.

Durante las sesiones, el Dr. Casanova insistió en la defensa de la fe Católica y refirió que su conversión se debió a varias razones, pero que si debía señalar una, “ella sería la Eucaristía”.

“Se podrán ustedes imaginar lo que pasó por mi corazón cuando, aún queriendo ser un buen pastor, descubrí que yo no tenía el poder dado por Cristo a sus verdaderos ministros para convertir un trozo de pan y un poco de vino en el cuerpo y la sangre del Señor”, relató el conferencista.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

El VIII Congreso de la Renovación Carismática de la Diócesis de Charlotte reunió a cientos de fieles que durante dos días recibieron las enseñanzas del predicador Fernando Casanova, expastor evangélico convertido al catolicismo.

Respecto a la defensa de la fe, indicó que reducir a la Iglesia Católica al nivel de otras denominaciones es “superficial e irresponsable”, al igual que las “reducciones” que se hacen al afirmar que “lo único importante es tener una relación personal con Cristo”.

“Hay gente que pretende reducir la experiencia religiosa a una experiencia de sobrecogimiento, de las emociones, etc. Eso no es una relación personal. Una relación personal con Cristo supone la fe, y la fe es creer, confiar y obedecer. Y se cree, se confía y se obedece siéntalo o no lo sienta, te guste o no te guste, te convenga o no te convenga. Eso es la fe. Esa es la virtud de la religión y así se debe vivir”, sentenció.

Respecto a la organización del próximo congreso, Solórzano adelantó que “ya hay ideas y nombres de invitados”, y con la ayuda de los 21 coordinadores de los grupos parroquiales de oración, del equipo timón que conforma junto con Cendi López, Martha Martínez, además del Padre Alvaro Riquelme, director espiritual de la Renovación, se “encuentran trabajando para dar lo mejor en nuestra Diócesis de Charlotte”.

Más en línea En www.facebook.com/CNHespanol: Vea el video con la entrevista al Dr. Fernando Casanova

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CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Oraron por la paz en Nicaragua CHARLOTTE — Cerca de una treintena de personas se reunieron el pasado jueves 9 de agosto en la Catedral San Patricio para orar por la paz en Nicaragua.

El llamado a la Vigilia de Adoración por la paz y justicia en Nicaragua inició con la presentación del Santísimo. Luego de unas breves palabras del Diácono Carlos Medina, ordenado nicaragüense que sirve en la parroquia San Patricio, se dio paso al rezo del Santo Rosario y la Coronilla de la Divina Misericordia, para finalizar con la oración de exorcismo de San Miguel Arcángel.

El diácono Medina invitó a toda la comunidad a unirse en oración por su país natal en las próximas jornadas de Adoración programadas para los jueves 16, 23 y 30 de agosto en la Catedral San Patricio a las seis de la tarde.

Más en línea En www.facebook.com/CNHespanol: Vea un video sobre esta jornada de oración

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Por mascar chicle se le podría negar la comunión CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE — Recientemente algunos medios informativos reportaron que a una persona se le negó la Sagrada Forma cuando se acercó a comulgar en una iglesia católica localizada al sur de Charlotte.

El hecho sucedió el domingo 15 de julio en la parroquia San Vicente de Paul, situada en Park Road, cuando un fiel, quien había sido observado mascando chicle por uno de los ministros extraordinarios de la comunión, se acercó a comulgar. El ministro extraordinario, conocedor de las reglas de ayuno previas a la comunión, decidió no administrar el sacramento y la persona se retiró a su banca.

Al término de la Misa, la familia efectuó un reclamo ante el celebrante, Padre Santiago Mariani, quien no se había percatado del incidente. P. Mariani fue informado de la razón de la negación de la comunión por el ministro extraordinario y se la comunicó a los familiares. Sin embargo, la madre del afectado adujo que el verdadero motivo fue que su hijo se encontraba vestido de niña puesto que es una persona transgénero, un hecho que los involucrados aseguran no haberse percatado.

En una entrevista concedida a un medio televisivo hispano de Charlotte, el Padre Mariani dijo estar apenado por lo que pasó y espera “que nadie se encuentre en un momento de amargura durante la Misa”.

Sin embargo, precisó que para los católicos la comunión no es solo un símbolo, “es el cuerpo y la sangre de Cristo resucitado y presente entre nosotros”, por lo que en el

momento de la comunión no se puede estar mascando chicle. Agregó que “la Misa es una oportunidad de entrar con Cristo en su calvario” y por lo tanto, “mascar chicle durante la Misa no es apropiado”. “Me ha tocado, a veces a mí, que alguien ha venido mascando chicle, y yo no puedo poner el Cuerpo de Cristo sobre el chicle”, anotó.

Ante un probable desconocimiento u olvido de las reglas de ayuno previas a la recepción del cuerpo y la sangre de Cristo, es conveniente recordar lo que establece la Iglesia.

El Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica afirma que para responder a la invitación de la Eucaristía, “debemos prepararnos para este momento tan grande y santo. San Pablo exhorta a un examen de conciencia: “Quien coma el pan o beba el cáliz del Señor indignamente, será reo del Cuerpo y de la Sangre del Señor. Examínese, pues, cada cual, y coma entonces del pan y beba del cáliz. Pues quien come y bebe sin discernir el Cuerpo, come y bebe su propio castigo” (1 Co 11,27-29). Quien tiene conciencia de estar en pecado grave debe recibir el sacramento de la Reconciliación antes de acercarse a comulgar”, (CIC 1385).

Para prepararse convenientemente a recibir este sacramento, añade, los fieles deben observar el ayuno prescrito por la Iglesia (cf CIC can. 919). Por la actitud corporal (gestos, vestido) se manifiesta el respeto, la solemnidad, el gozo de ese momento en que Cristo se hace nuestro huésped.

El canon al que remite el Catecismo dice que quien vaya a recibir la santísima Eucaristía ha de abstenerse de tomar cualquier alimento y bebida al menos

desde una hora antes de la sagrada comunión, a excepción de agua y medicinas. “Las personas de edad avanzada o enfermas, y asimismo quienes las cuidan, pueden recibir la santísima Eucaristía aunque hayan tomado algo en la hora inmediatamente anterior” (CIC 919 #3).

Esta disposición no es un consejo, es un mandato: “deben observar el ayuno” y “ha de abstenerse de cualquier alimento” son expresiones de obligatoriedad que prescriben que no se debe comulgar sin cumplir esta condición.

Adicionalmente, la iglesia estipula, según la Pontificia Comisión para la auténtica interpretación del Código de Derecho Canónico, Responsa ad proposita dubia 1, que los fieles pueden recibir la Sagrada Eucaristía solamente dos veces el mismo

día.

Respecto al buen comportamiento durante la Misa, Aggie Catholic Blog, nos entrega 12 recomendaciones que servirán para aprovechar la Misa al máximo y participar, activa y reverentemente, en la Eucaristía.

1. No usar el celular, no lo necesitas para hablar con Dios.

2. Ayunar antes de la celebración eucarística.

3. No comer ni beber en la iglesia. Las excepciones serían: alguna bebida para niños pequeños o leche para los bebés, agua para el sacerdote o para los miembros del coro (con discreción) y para los enfermos.

4. No goma de mascar.

5. No usar sombrero.

6. Santiguarse con agua bendita al entrar y salir del templo.

7. Vestir con modestia.

8. Llegar algunos minutos antes del inicio de la Misa.

9. Arrodillarse hacia el Sagrario al entrar y salir del templo.

10. Permanecer en silencio durante la celebración. Si tiene un niño o un bebé, puede sentarse cerca de alguna salida ante cualquier contratiempo.

11. Inclinarse al recibir la comunión.

12. Espere a que la Misa termine. Uno de los mandamientos de la Iglesia es oír Misa entera los domingos y fiestas de guardar.

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, October 11 Room At The Inn ~ 19th Annual Benefit Banquet~ Our speaker for the banquet this year is Jason Jones. He is a film producer, author, activist, and human rights worker. Each of our table hosts will receive a copy of one of Jason's popular pro-life films, "Bella" as a thank you for helping.

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Mix

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Movies

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intertwined portraying her as a model of the New Evangelization and a call for all people to treat A comedy with dramatic elements, this film follows a God’s creation responsibly. n Friday, Aug. 17, 2 p.m. variety of Los Angeles residents as they live their lives n Friday, Aug. 24, 5:30 “Fatima: An Experience of Faith.” and face some daunting challenges during one summer. By p.m. “Iraq: Land of Saints and Revisit the town of Fatima, their sides, helping with presence and love are their dogs.

Martyrs.” Ironically a country rich and the houses of the three Directed by Ken Marino and written by Elissa Matsueda and in Christian history where Sts. young visionaries following the Erica Oyama, the film follows a barista (Vanessa Hudgens) Thomas and Thaddeus brought incredible events that occurred waiting for an opportunity to put her education to good the faith to the Assyrians and in 1917. use, a lonely widower (Ron Cephas Jones) whose dog goes spawned thousands of churches n Friday, Aug. 17, 11 p.m. missing, a morning show host (Nina Dobrev) who can’t quite and monasteries, the persecuted “The Catholic Church and seem to keep herself together, and others brought together Church in Iraq pleas for support Homosexuality: Providing by their canine companions. The film celebrates respect, to survive.

Authentic Pastoral Care.” A forgiveness, responsibility and generosity. Two crass terms, n Saturday, Aug. 25, 3 p.m. five-part miniseries that offers some negative comments about marriage and pregnancy.

“In the Name of Miracles.” The insight to the Catholic Church’s CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: PG story of the miraculous cure of teachings on homosexuality by Maureen Digan and her son at the featuring a variety of sources and perspectives, including those who tomb of Sr. Faustina, which Rome later used for her canonization. experience same-sex attraction.

“He gets in your head like a computer virus!” Slender n Saturday, Aug. 25, 8 p.m. n Saturday, Aug. 18, 8 p.m.

Man, in fact does that to four teen girls (Annalise Basso, “The Jeweller’s Shop.” The film “Saint Rose of Lima.” The faith Julia Goldani Telles, Jaz Sinclair and Joey King) have the adaptation of the play originally journey of Isabel Flores de misfortune to “summon” the internet goblin by watching written by Pope John Paul II. Oliva, whose great love for God one of his online videos. There’s not a whole lot else to The story of two sets of Polish and neighbor would lead to her this horror movie based on the tall, faceless character in a spouses and the challenges that canonization as St. Rose of Lima, dark suit introduced by his creator, Eric Knudsen in 2009. love demands of them as they the first saint of the Americas.

Additionally, director Sylvain White and screenwriter David experience World War II. An EWTN original movie.

Birke seem to have been oblivious to the recent attempted n Friday, Aug. 31, 8 p.m. n Sunday, Aug. 19, 4 p.m. “The murder case in Wisconsin, when two unstable preteen girls “Angel of Biscay: The Life and Nun.” This unique documentary stabbed a classmate because they thought it would impress Message of Father Aloysius follows the real life story of Slender Man. An occult theme, fleeting crude language and Ellacuria, CMF.” This film tells Marta, her desire to be a nun, and profanities. the story of the “Fatima priest,” the fervent Catholic family that CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13 Father Aloysius Ellacuria, CMF, nurtured her vocation. Swedish and traces his fascinating life with English subtitles. journey from his Basque home n Tuesday, Aug. 21, 5:30 in northern Spain to the United p.m. “Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: n ‘Christopher Robin’: CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); States, Mexico and Portugal, A Pilgrimage Into Her Heart.”

MPAA: PG illustrating the character, mission Stories of St. Kateri, a n ‘The Darkest Minds’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13 and spirituality of this remarkable miraculous healing and her 2012 n ‘The Spy Who Dumped Me’: CNS: L (limited adult priest who changed the lives of canonization with members of 4 Color Advertising Sales_2x2_15x5J.qxd 7/10/2018 audience); MPAA: R so many. every Indian nation present, are

‘Dog Days’

On TV

‘Slender Man’

‘The Meg’ A silly yet entertaining summer popcorn movie, a cross between “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park,” directed by Jon Turtletaub from the eponymous 1997 novel by Steve Altern. A deep-sea diver (Jason Stratham) is called out of retirement for an emergency rescue mission of the crew of a mini-submarine at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, piloted by his ex-wife (Jessica McNamee). With the help of an oceanographer, the mission is a success, but it releases the eponymous monster shark, which heads to the surface to feast on humanity. Despite a good deal of humor, the creature’s rampages will prove too scary for younger viewers. Perilous scenes of shark attacks, some gore and a handful of profane and crude oaths.

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

Other movies:

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Church urged to address its leaders’ ‘moral failures of judgment’ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick “will rightly face” a Vatican canonical process regarding sexual abuse allegations against him, but the U.S. Catholic Church must take steps to respond to Church leaders’ “moral failures of judgment,” said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The accusations against Archbishop McCarrick, a former cardinal and retired archbishop of Washington, “reveal a grievous moral failure within the Church,” said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston.

“They cause bishops anger, sadness, and shame; I know they do in me,” he said in an Aug. 1 statement. “They compel bishops to ask, as I do, what more could have been done to protect the people of God. Both the abuses themselves, and the fact that they have remained undisclosed for decades, have caused great harm to people’s lives and represent grave moral failures of judgment on the part of Church leaders.”

To determine a course of action for the USCCB to take, Cardinal DiNardo said he convened the bishops’ Executive Committee.

“This meeting was the first of many among bishops that will extend into our Administrative Committee meeting in September and our general assembly in November,” he explained. “All of these discussions will be oriented toward discerning the right course of action for the USCCB.” Such work will “take some time,” but he laid out four points to be acted upon immediately: n He encouraged each bishop in their diocese “to respond with compassion and justice to anyone who has been sexually abused or harassed by anyone in the Church. We should do whatever we can to accompany them.” n He urged anyone who has experienced sexual assault or harassment by anyone in the Church to come forward. “Where the incident may rise to the level of a crime, please also contact local law enforcement.” n The USCCB “will pursue the many questions surrounding Archbishop McCarrick’s conduct to the full extent of its authority; and where that authority finds its limits, the conference will advocate with those who do have the authority. One way or the other, we are determined to find the truth in this matter.” n “Finally, we bishops recognize that a spiritual conversion is needed as we seek to restore the right relationship among us and with the Lord. Our Church is suffering from a crisis of sexual morality. The way forward must involve learning from past sins.”

Cardinal DiNardo said the failures of judgment by Church leaders in the case of Archbishop McCarrick “raise serious questions.”

“Why weren’t these allegations of sins against chastity and human dignity disclosed when they were first brought to Church officials?” he asked. “Why wasn’t this egregious situation addressed decades sooner and with justice? What must our seminaries do to protect the freedom to discern a priestly vocation without being subject to misuse of power?”

Church leaders urge inquiry into abuse claims against archbishop CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Catholic Church leaders have been calling for an internal investigation into the handling of allegations of abuse and sexual misconduct against Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick and urging such an inquiry be spearheaded by laypeople.

“I think we have reached a point where bishops alone investigating bishops is not the answer. To have credibility, a panel would have to be separated from any source of power whose trustworthiness might potentially be compromised,” said Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany, N.Y. In an Aug. 6 statement, the bishop said he was “heartened by my brother bishops proposing ways for our Church to take action in light of recent revelations” and he agreed “a national panel should be commissioned, duly approved by the Holy See.” But the bishop said laypeople had a crucial role to play in this work, noting that they are “not only willing to take on this much-needed role, but they are eager to help us make lasting reforms that will restore a level of trust that has been shattered yet again.”

On July 28, Pope Francis accepted the resignation from the College of Cardinals of then-Cardinal McCarrick and ordered him to maintain “a life of prayer and penance” until a canonical trial examines accusations that he sexually abused minors.

In late June, the 88-year-old prelate said he would no longer exercise any public ministry “in obedience” to the Vatican after an allegation he abused a teenager 47 years ago in the Archdiocese of New York was found credible. The cardinal has said he is innocent.

In the weeks that followed the announcement, another man came forward claiming he was abused as a child by Archbishop McCarrick, and several former seminarians have spoken out about being sexually harassed by the former cardinal at a beach house he had.

In other developments, two New Jersey dioceses where he served in the 1980s and 1990s said settlements had been reached in 2005 and 2007 in cases of abuse claims against him that dated to his years of service in those dioceses. He was the founding bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, N.J., in 1981, then headed the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., before being named to Washington in 2001.

He retired in 2006.

Bishop Scharfenberger said what is needed is “an independent commission led by well-respected, faithful lay leaders who are beyond reproach, people whose role on such a panel will not serve to benefit them financially, politically or personally. These will be people with a deep understanding of the Catholic faith, but without an axe to grind or an agenda to push. It will not be easy, but it will be worth every ounce of effort, energy and candor we can muster.”

He stressed U.S. bishops must “get this right” and he said he is confident they can “find a way to look outside ourselves, to put this in the hands of the Holy Spirit, and to

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Follow the ongoing investigation against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and how the U.S. bishops are responding entrust our very capable laypeople, who have stood with us through very difficult times, to help us do the right thing.”

Similarly, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago, former head of the U.S. bishops’ committee on child and youth protection, said in an interview with America magazine that he supports an investigation into the handling of allegations of abuse and sexual misconduct against Archbishop McCarrick that includes laypeople.

Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl told the National Catholic Reporter Aug. 5 that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops should create a new panel to receive and evaluate any allegations or rumors of sexual misconduct by a member bishop, adding that the Vatican could designate one of its offices to act on the proposed panel’s findings.

The cardinal said he had not personally been aware of rumors about Archbishop McCarrick’s alleged abuse of young men while he was a priest and bishop, but the cardinal said there should be a mechanism where rumors about bishops could be reviewed. He said the proposed panel of bishops might turn any findings it makes on an accused bishop to the apostolic nuncio, who could pass these findings on to a Vatican office.

He said his idea of a new panel was in response to the Aug. 1 statement by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of GalvestonHouston, USCCB president, that said the bishops’ conference would discuss at its annual fall meeting “the right course of action” in wake of revelations of Archbishop McCarrick’s abuse.

Bishop W. Shawn McKnight of Jefferson City, Mo., also mentioned the bishops’ fall meeting, saying in an Aug. 6 statement that when the bishops convene they will “consider ways to embrace spiritual renewal and to rebuild trust.”

“It is almost unbearable,” he said, of the allegations and lack of Church response, noting: “How could a brother bishop disrespect with such callousness the dignity of young boys, seminarians and priests over decades and no one called him on the carpet?”

“It is inexplicable to me. This cannot continue, and I hope with God’s grace there will be a change of culture among the clergy,” he said.

Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Tucson, Ariz., similarly called for further action, saying in an Aug. 1 statement that it is important for the USCCB to review the bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” to address clergy abuse. “The charter needs to ensure that procedures and practices are in place to hold clergy, employees, volunteers and bishops to the same level of accountability,” he said.

Archbishop Gregory: Weary of ‘cloud of shame’ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ATLANTA — Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory issued a statement Aug. 9 on the website of The Georgia Bulletin, archdiocesan newspaper, expressing his “profound anger, sadness and distress concerning sexual abuse by Church leaders of children, young people and those over whom they exercised authority.”

“My anger and disappointment, shared by Catholics and others, are only heightened by the reality that leaders who have engaged in or neglected to protect others from such damaging and deviant behavior have for many years failed to be held accountable – and have even risen in leadership positions,” he said.

Catholics everywhere, including him, “are stunned and justifiably angry at shameful, unrelenting recent revelations of bishops accused of abuse or mishandling allegations of abuse – behavior that offends and scandalizes the people of God entrusted to our care,” he said. Catholics are specifically “enraged” about allegations of abuse by Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick and find “any pastoral negligence in protecting our people is similarly grievous.”

“We are weary of this cloud of shame that continues to shroud Church leadership and compromise our mission,” he said, adding he is “personally disheartened” because in 2002, as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, he made assurances that this crisis would not be repeated.

“I sincerely believed that the unprecedented steps we took at that time would help to heal this wound in the Body of Christ. And so they have, “ he said, “though obviously not completely or even sufficiently.”

He also said he was saddened because many good priests are again “seen as suspect not because they have done anything wrong.”

He said he never personally worked with Archbishop McCarrick in any pastoral context and said he also “never knew or suspected the hidden side of a man whose admired public persona concealed that of a violator of foundational Christian morality and of young people who trusted him.”

“People are angry, as well they should be, that our Church is once again viewed as a haven for criminal deviant behavior,” he said, adding that priests also are hurt and Catholics are disappointed with bishops in general “who seemingly cannot or will not act decisively to heal this festering wound.”

Catholics are “perplexed and sickened,” he said, “that the Holy See may well have dismissed multiple warning signs” that should have stopped Archbishop McCarrick and others earlier in their careers. He also said Catholics are disheartened that these situations continue to “call into question everything the Church has done to safeguard children and adults from manipulation and violation.”

He urged the USCCB to “engage the laity in reviewing and recommending courses of action that will assure the faithful that we are serious in curing this blight from our Church and from episcopal governance once and for all.”

“Our trustworthiness as bishops has been so seriously compromised that acting alone – even with the best of intentions and the highest principles, policies and plans – may not move the hearts of the faithful to believe.”

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief Pa. grand jury says Church was interested in hiding abuse WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Pennsylvania grand jury report issued Aug. 14 paints a picture of a Catholic Church in six of the state’s dioceses that for decades handled claims of sex abuse of minors under its care by hiding the allegations and brushing aside its victims.

More than 300 priests were linked to abuse claims and over 1,000 victims were identified, said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro in a news conference following the report’s release.

“The main thing was not to help children but to avoid ‘scandal,’” says a biting sentence about the behavior of Church leaders and officials in the report, detailing a months-long investigation of clergy sex abuse claims in the dioceses of Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown, Scranton, Greensburg and Erie. The report of almost 1,400 pages covers a period of 70 years into the past, including information from the early 2000s, a time when news of the clerical sex abuse scandal erupted in the U.S. Before its release, some urged that the report be read keeping in mind that a lot has changed in the Church since then, and also that not all of the report’s claims are substantiated.

In the Diocese of Pittsburgh, for example, a few priests named in the report are still working there because diocesan officials could not substantiate claims of abuse made against them, Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik told local reporters Aug. 10.

But there are many painful claims.

In the news conference, Shapiro described allegations of a priest who physically molested a group of children by telling them he was doing a “cancer check,” one who he said “impregnated” a girl, others who had boys strike a religious pose naked to take pictures of them. Shapiro spoke of a “systematic cover-up” by Church officials who took information to the Vatican, who also did nothing to help victims. He also spoke of priests who “weaponized faith” and had the victims go to confession for the sins that had just been committed against them.

Not all who are accused of sexual abuse or of covering it up in the report are priests. Some on the lists released by dioceses are deacons, some are seminarians, teachers or other church workers, and some are no longer alive. Some are accused of being in possession of child pornography, others of inappropriate touching, kissing, soliciting a child for sex, but most are listed as “sexually abusing a child.”

Bishops ‘shamed’ by ‘sins, omissions’ of priests, bishops leading to abuse WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. bishops “are shamed by and sorry for the sins and omissions

by Catholic priests and Catholic bishops” that have led to sexual abuse and caused great harm to many, said an Aug. 14 statement from the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the chairman of its child protection committee. “We are committed to work in determined ways so that such abuse cannot happen,” said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, the president, and Bishop Timothy L. Doherty of Lafayette, Indiana, chairman of the Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People. They pledged “to maintain transparency” and provide for “the permanent removal of offenders from ministry and to maintain safe environments for everyone.”

Cardinal DiNardo also said he is hosting a series of meetings during the week to respond to “the

broader issue of safe environments within the church,” and will provide an update when the meetings are concluded. The prelates’ joint statement was issued in response to the release the same day of a grand jury report based on a months-long investigation by the state’s attorney general into sexual abuse claims in six Pennsylvania dioceses -- Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown, Scranton, Erie and Greensburg.

Cardinal O’Malley calls for investigation at Boston seminary WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Archbishop of Boston said in an Aug. 10 statement that he has asked the rector of its main archdiocesan St. John Seminary to go on sabbatical leave immediately and is asking for an investigation of allegations made on social media about activities there “directly contrary to the moral standards and requirements of formation for the Catholic priesthood.” “At this time, I am not able to verify or disprove these allegations,” said Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley in a statement sent to media via email. He does not say in the statement what the allegations are about. Cardinal O’Malley said he also has appointed a group “to oversee an inquiry into the allegations made this week, the culture of the seminary regarding the personal standards expected and required of candidates for the priesthood, and any seminary issues of sexual harassment or other forms of intimidation or discrimination.” He said he has asked the group to submit its findings as soon as possible.

Cardinal O’Malley is one of Pope Francis’ chief advisers on clerical sexual abuse and heads the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Boston was the epicenter of the abuse scandal that erupted in the Church in 2002.

The Boston Archdiocese was then headed by Cardinal Bernard F. Law.

LCWR expresses ‘profound sadness’ over AP story on abuse of nuns globally SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Leadership Conference of Women Religious issued a statement in response to an Associated Press story describing rape and abuse of nuns by priests worldwide.

The statement expressed “profound sadness over the sexual abuse by clergy endured by Catholic sisters in many parts of the world” and called for “the end of a culture that ignores or tolerates sexual abuse of Catholic sisters or any other adult or minor perpetuated by those in positions of trust in the Church community.”

The statement also urges any sisters who have experienced sexual abuse to report the abuse to the authorities, both clerical and civil.

It also encourages them “to seek appropriate assistance since no one should have to suffer the long-term effects of abuse alone.”

Prelate: World must not forget suffering of the Ukrainian people BALTIMORE — Since 2014 Ukraine “has been a victim of relentless military aggression” and suffered countless human tragedies, but now the media’s attention has shifted away from the country to other conflict zones, the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church said in an address in Baltimore. “We plead with the international community not to neglect Ukraine and that we not be left alone with a much bigger and more powerful aggressor,” said Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kiev-Halych, Ukraine.

He delivered the keynote address at the Knights of Columbus’ States Dinner during its 136th annual national Supreme Convention at the Baltimore Convention Center Aug. 7-9.

Major Archbishop Shevchuk, the leader of more than 5 million Ukrainian Catholics around the globe, relayed the current situation in his country and also thanked Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and all the Knights for their support and taking “a risk” to help establish the Knights of Columbus in Ukraine.

Faith leaders condemn Tenn.’s first execution in nine years NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The execution of Billy Ray Irick the night of Aug. 9 “was unnecessary” and “served no useful purpose,” Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville and Bishop Richard F. Stika of Knoxville said in a statement after Irick was executed at Riverbend Maximum Security Institute in Nashville.

“In this time of sadness, that began many years ago with the tragic and brutal death of Paula Dyer and continues with another death tonight, we believe that only Jesus Christ can bring consolation and peace,” the bishops said.

“We continue to pray for Paula and for her family.

And we also pray for Billy Ray Irick, that his final human thoughts were of remorse and sorrow for we believe that only Christ can serve justice.”

They also said they prayed that the people of Tennessee “may all come to cherish the dignity that His love instills in every person – at every stage of life.”

Irick, 59, died at 7:48 p.m. CDT after Tennessee prison officials administered a lethal combination of chemicals. According to press reports, before he died Irick was coughing, choking and gasping for air and his face turned dark purple as the lethal drugs took effect.

He was the first person executed in Tennessee since 2009 and the first person executed in the U.S. since Pope Francis said Aug. 2 that he had ordered a change in the Catechism of the Catholic Church declaring the death penalty inadmissible in all cases.

CEO: Knights’ donations, volunteer hours and members keep growing BALTIMORE — In an opening address Aug. 7 at the 136th annual Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention, the organizations’ CEO, Carl Anderson, spoke of the charitable works of the Knights, their ongoing pro-life commitment and pledge to support persecuted Christians in Iraq and Syria. Anderson pointed out that the Aug. 7-9 convention in Baltimore was in the birthplace of the Catholic Church in the United States. “It was colonial America’s first diocese and the home of our first American bishop, John Carroll, whose family lived at the intersection of faith and liberty in the new nation.”

“The Catholicism first nourished here in Baltimore contributed to the American experience through other commitments as well – commitments that could be summarized in this simple, but powerful Gospel insight: The person in need that we encounter is not a stranger but a brother or a sister,” he said.

The Knights today hold the same view in their charitable giving and volunteering. Anderson said it’s “safe to say that we’ve never had a fraternal year quite like this one.” He said the Knights gave more than $185 million dollars to charity last year, an $8 million increase from the previous year and one of the largest yearly increases in the organization’s history. The Knights also donated more than 75.6 million volunteer hours.

HHS urged to reissue rules to enforce required notice on abortion coverage WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services must issue new regulations to enforce a requirement that consumers be notified if a subsidized health plan offered under the Affordable Care Act covers elective abortion and informed they must pay an extra amount for the plan’s abortion coverage. That’s the view of 102 members of Congress who have signed an open letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar asking for the new regulations. “Obamacare’s abortion surcharge is practically invisible to consumers,” said Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who signed the Aug. 6 letter. “Consumers have a right to know.”

The letter said that Section 1303 of the

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Affordable Care Act requires that, when federal subsidies are used to pay for a plan that includes coverage of elective abortion, the subsidies cannot be used to pay for the abortions. Instead, separate payments must be collected and deposited into a fund used solely to pay for abortions. It also said that, during the Obama administration, lax regulations undermined the requirement to separate the funds for abortions.

CARA study: U.S. men and women religious superiors favor women deacons WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University surveyed men and women religious superiors in the United States about the possibility of ordaining women to the diaconate and found that the majority were in favor of the idea. The survey was taken in response to a papal commission organized by Pope Francis to study the question of ordaining women to the permanent diaconate. Seventy-six percent of religious superiors were aware of the commission, and 69 percent knew that it had formed and met. On the question of ordaining women to the diaconate, 73 percent of religious superiors believed it was theoretically possible and 72 percent thought that the Catholic Church should ordain women to the diaconate. However, they were less confident that it would happen. Only 45 percent believed that the Church would authorize female deacons, and, if it were authorized, 58 percent believe that their bishop would implement it. Sixty-four percent of the superiors were at least “somewhat” aware of a history of women being ordained as deacons and 84 percent believed that doing so would create a greater call for women to be ordained to the priesthood. The full report can be found at https://bit.ly/2MkChaK.

University to be a hub for causes of African-American Catholics NEW ORLEANS — Reynold Verret, president of Xavier University of Louisiana, announced July 31 that the university and its Institute for Black Catholic Studies will become the new hub for the advancement of sainthood causes of African-American Catholics. Verret made the announcement in the university’s St. Katharine Drexel chapel. Privy to this historic announcement were attendees of the Joint Conference 2018 of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, the National Black Sisters Conference, the National Black Catholic Seminarians Association and the National Association of Black Catholic Deacons held in New Orleans July 28-Aug. 2.

Verret said Xavier and its Institute for Black Catholic Studies will serve as hosts and administrators, and Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. Perry will be moderator and chair of the center, whose goal is to unite all guilds advancing the causes of black sainthood.

— Catholic News Service

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope revises catechism to say death penalty is ‘inadmissible’ CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — Building on the development of Catholic Church teaching against capital punishment, Pope Francis has ordered a revision of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to assert “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person” and to commit the Church to working toward its abolition worldwide.

The catechism’s paragraph on capital punishment, 2267, already had been updated by St. John Paul II in 1997 to strengthen its skepticism about the need to use the death penalty in the modern world and, particularly, to affirm the importance of protecting all human life.

Announcing the change Aug. 2, Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said, “The new text, following in the footsteps of the teaching of John Paul II in ‘Evangelium Vitae,’ affirms that ending the life of a criminal as punishment for a crime is inadmissible because it attacks the dignity of the person, a dignity that is not lost even after having committed the most serious crimes.”

“Evangelium Vitae” (“The Gospel of Life”) was St. John Paul’s 1995 encyclical on the dignity and sacredness of all human life. The encyclical led to an updating of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which he originally promulgated in 1992 and which recognized “the right and

duty of legitimate public authority to punish malefactors by means of penalties commensurate with the gravity of the crime, not excluding, in cases of extreme gravity, the death penalty.”

At the same time, the original version of the catechism still urged the use of “bloodless means” when possible to punish criminals and protect citizens.

The catechism now will read: “Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good.

“Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state. Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption,” the new section continues.

Pope Francis’ change to the text concludes: “Consequently, the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that ‘the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,’ and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.”

In his statement, Cardinal Ladaria noted how St. John Paul, retired Pope Benedict XVI

and Pope Francis had all spoken out against capital punishment and appealed for clemency for death-row inmates on numerous occasions.

The development of Church doctrine away from seeing the death penalty as a possibly legitimate punishment for the most serious crimes, the cardinal said, “centers principally on the clearer awareness of the Church for the respect due to every human life. Along this line, John Paul II affirmed: ‘Not even a murderer loses his personal dignity, and God Himself pledges to guarantee this.’”

Pope Francis specifically requested the change to the catechism in October during a speech at the Vatican commemorating the 25th anniversary of the text’s promulgation.

The death penalty, no matter how it is carried out, he had said, “is, in itself, contrary to the Gospel, because a decision is voluntarily made to suppress a human life, which is always sacred in the eyes of the Creator and of whom, in the last analysis, only God can be the true judge and guarantor.”

Cardinal Ladaria also noted that the popes were not the only Catholics to become increasingly aware of how the modern use of the death penalty conflicted with Church teaching on the dignity of human life; the same position, he said, has been “expressed ever more widely in the teaching of pastors and in the sensibility of the people of God.” In particular, he said, Catholic opposition to the death penalty is based on an “understanding that the dignity of a person is not lost even after committing the most

serious crimes,” a deeper understanding that criminal penalties should aim at the rehabilitation of the criminal and a recognition that governments have the ability to detain criminals effectively, thereby protecting their citizens.

The cardinal’s note also cited a letter Pope Francis wrote in 2015 to the International Commission Against the Death Penalty. In the letter, the pope called capital punishment “cruel, inhumane and degrading” and said it “does not bring justice to the victims, but only foments revenge.”

Furthermore, in a modern “state of law, the death penalty represents a failure” because it obliges the state to kill in the name of justice, the pope had written. On the other hand, he said, it is a method frequently used by “totalitarian regimes and fanatical groups” to do away with “political dissidents, minorities” and any other person deemed a threat to their power and to their goals.

In addition, Pope Francis noted that “human justice is imperfect” and said the death penalty loses all legitimacy in penal systems where judicial error is possible.

“The new formulation of number 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church,” Cardinal Ladaria said, “desires to give energy to a movement toward a decisive commitment to favor a mentality that recognizes the dignity of every human life and, in respectful dialogue with civil authorities, to encourage the creation of conditions that allow for the elimination of the death penalty where it is still in effect.”

Moments of Grace Momentos de gracia

That special day. We want to remember it forever, and share the happy news with our family and friends.

Now, share the joy with your fellow Catholics in the Diocese of Charlotte, too!

The Catholic News Herald is launching a special section of the print edition that we’re calling “Moments of Grace.”

Announce your child’s baptism, first Holy Communion or confirmation, or share the news of your wedding or wedding anniversary. Pricing starts at just $25.

Go to www.catholicnewsherald.com or call Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 for details.

No dejes que el tiempo borre tus recuerdos.

Comparte tus momentos más felices con familiares, amigos y queridos feligreses de la Diócesis de Charlotte. En la nueva sección ‘Moments of Grace’

de tu periódico Catholic News Herald. Desde $25 podrás anunciar el bautismo de tus hijos, su primera Comunión, confirmación, también tu matrimonio o aniversario. ¿Más detalles? Visita www. catholicnewsherald. com o llama a Erika Robinson al (704) 370-3333.

Hablamos español.

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief Court approves house arrest for Australian archbishop ADELAIDE, Australia — An Australian judge approved home detention for Archbishop Philip Wilson, the retired archbishop of Adelaide who was found guilty of failing to report child sexual abuse allegations in the 1970s. The archbishop’s lawyer said Aug. 14 that the archbishop will appeal his conviction but would begin serving his sentence immediately. He was sentenced July 3 to one year’s detention, but with the possibility of parole after six months.

The Newcastle Magistrates Court ruled that he could serve the sentence at a relative’s house; Australian media reported that it would be the home of his sister. He will be required to wear a location monitor.

When Archbishop Wilson was convicted in May, he stepped aside from his duties in the Adelaide Archdiocese while remaining the archbishop. In late July, however, he offered his resignation to Pope Francis.

Chaldean Catholic synod offers thanks for return of displaced Christians DAHUK, Iraq — The Chaldean Catholic Church concluded a weeklong synod in Baghdad offering thanks to God for the return of numerous displaced Christians to their hometowns in the Ninevah Plain and for pastoral achievements in their dioceses.

The synod, held Aug. 7-13 at the invitation of Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako, the Chaldean Catholic patriarch, brought together Church leaders and participants from Iraq, the U.S., Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Canada, Australia and Europe to discuss issues vital for the Church’s future both in Iraq and among its diaspora.

Patriarchs and other leaders proposed potential candidates for election as new bishops because several Iraqi clergy are nearing retirement age. Chaldean Archbishop Yousif Thomas Mirkis of Kirkuk, Iraq, said no names would be made public until approved by the Holy See.

Sexual abuse by monks covered up at schools in England, inquiry finds MANCHESTER, England — The “appalling sexual abuse” of children as young as 7 was covered up in two leading Benedictine-run schools in England to protect the reputations of predatory monks, a government-backed investigation concluded. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse said in a report published Aug. 9 that for decades there was a “culture of acceptance of abuse behavior” at Ampleforth Abbey, near York, and at Downside Abbey, near Bristol. The report said the monasteries remained reluctant to report crimes to the police even after stringent child protection procedures were implemented in the Catholic Church in England and Wales following a series of highprofile clerical abuse scandals.

“Instead, monks in both institutions were very often secretive, evasive and suspicious of anyone outside the English Benedictine Congregation,” Alexis Jay, who chaired the inquiry, said in a statement posted on the inquiry’s website. “Safeguarding children was less important than the reputation of the Church and the well-being of the abusive monks,” she continued. “Even after new procedures were introduced in 2001, when monks gave the appearance of co-operation and

trust, their approach could be summarized as a ‘tell them nothing’ attitude.”

The report revealed that 10 monks from both communities have been prosecuted for child abuse or for viewing child pornography.

Fight scandal by giving witness to the Gospel, pope tells young people ROME — Members of the Catholic Church sin and give scandal, it’s true, Pope Francis said, but it is up to each Catholic to live the faith as authentically as possible and witness to the world the love of Jesus. “The best way to respond is with witness,” the pope said Aug. 11 in response to a young man who said, “The useless pomp and frequent scandals have made the Church barely credible in our eyes.”

Pope Francis spoke about witness, dreams and true love during an evening meeting with some 70,000 young adults, aged 16 to 30, gathered at Rome’s Circus Maximus at the end of a pilgrimage. Most of them had walked at least 50 miles over the previous three or four days.

Representatives came from 195 of Italy’s 226 dioceses, and 150 bishops walked at least part of the way with groups from their dioceses.

appointed another laywoman to direct the new Department for the Prevention of Abuse within the bishops’ conference.

Pope Francis told the bishops that what “struck me most” about the decisions made after a five-day meeting in early August was “the example of an episcopal community united in guiding the holy, faithful people of God.”

Bishop: U.K. Supreme Court ruling on withdrawing hydration morally wrong MANCHESTER, England — Britain’s highest court has ruled that doctors can withdraw food and fluid from patients who are in a vegetative state or minimally conscious without seeking permission from judges. The Supreme Court

Argentina Senate votes down abortion decriminalization bill MEXICO CITY — The Argentine Senate voted against a bill that would have decriminalized abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.

Senators voted 38-31 against the measure early Aug. 9 following a 15-hour debate. The measure had been approved in June by the lower house of Congress. The Argentine bishops’ conference hailed the vote, saying the debate in the country opened an opportunity for dialogue and a chance to focus more on social ministry.

The Senate debate revealed deep divisions in Argentina, where support for decriminalizing abortion drew stronger support in Buenos Aires, the capital, than in the more conservative provinces. The vote came as a movement of women and supporters of the measure – wearing green handkerchiefs – filled the streets outside the Congress as voting occurred.

Catholics, meanwhile, celebrated the Eucharist.

“Everyone has time to express their viewpoints and be heard by legislators in a healthy democratic exercise. But the only ones that didn’t have an opportunity to make themselves heard are the human beings that struggled to be born,” Cardinal Mario Poli, Pope Francis’ successor in Buenos Aires, said Aug. 8 in his homily at a what organizers called a “Mass for Life.”

Pope thanks Chilean bishops for steps taken to address abuse scandal VATICAN CITY — After the bishops of Chile issued a formal apology for failing to listen to clerical abuse victims and drew up national guidelines for responding to abuse allegations, Pope Francis sent them a handwritten letter of thanks. “I am struck by the work of reflection, discernment and the decisions you have made,” the pope wrote in the letter dated Aug. 3 and posted on the website of the Chilean bishops’ conference. Addressed to Bishop Santiago Silva Retamales, the military ordinary and conference president, the pope’s letter praised the decisions as “realistic and concrete.”

The bishops, who have been accused of interfering with the pursuit of justice by alleged victims, promised to draw up a formal agreement with the national prosecutor’s office to share information; vowed to release information on investigations carried out within their dioceses and urged the superiors of religious orders to do the same; expanded the competencies of their national review board and appointed a laywoman lawyer to lead it; and

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of the United Kingdom said that it was not necessary to apply for permission from the Court of Protection to dehydrate such patients to death when doctors and family members agreed that death was in their “best interests.”

The July 30 ruling, however, was criticized by at least one Catholic bishop. Auxiliary Bishop John Wilson of Westminster said it was morally wrong to withdraw food and fluids from anyone.

“Artificial nutrition and hydration ... are not treatment,” said Bishop Wilson in a July 31 statement. “They do not cure anything. In whatever way they are delivered, food and water for a person in a persistent vegetative state fulfill the same purpose as for any other person. They keep them alive as part of their basic care. They prevent death by malnutrition and dehydration,” he said.

— Catholic News Service

Estate Planning Elder Law | Probate WAITING COULD DEVASTATE YOUR FAMILY St. Matthew’s Parishioner

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Exploring Our Images of God A Retreat for Women Saturday, September 22, 2018 9:00am – 4:30pm Sr. Gay Rowzie, HM

Sr. Susan Schorsten, HM

Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, in our likeness … So God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1: 26-27 We are made in the image of God, but what are our ‘images’ of God? We are made according to the likeness of God. What does this mean – how are we ‘like’ God? We will explore our images of God and how our images affect our relationship with God. We will also explore who do we think God is and what do we believe about God. Our responses to these questions that may help us deepen our relationship with God. Sr. Gay Rowzie and Sr. Susan Schorsten are Humility of Mary Sisters. Both were active in the Diocese of Charleston for many years before moving on to other ministries. They have now returned to this area.

Cost: $50 – includes lunch / Friday night accommodations available for an additional $40

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Sr. Constance Carolyn Veit

Dr. Kamila Valenta

Democracy is at risk without American leadership

M

ost people agree that democracy is the best political system to ensure stability, prosperity, the fair distribution of wealth, and the safeguarding of human rights and freedoms in a modern society. Yet democracy has been steadily declining over the past decade and is gradually giving way to authoritarian currents across the world and in the United States.

This alarming trend, which has been reported by many major non-profit research organizations, such as the Freedom House and the Council of Foreign Relations, is manifested in the current state of international relations and domestic politics. It contributes to the decline of religious freedom around the world, the rise of extremist ideologies, the decrease of economic and political cooperation among governments, and the harsh treatment of refugees, immigrants and minorities in many parts of the world.

It is no coincidence that modern democratic systems developed first and predominantly in Christian countries. The basic Christian principles of humanity and dignity of each person were the founding blocks of Western democracies, and the ideology of Christian democracy that developed in 19thcentury Europe was the driving force behind the reestablishment of democracies in Western Europe after the Second World War. It also introduced the concept of a welfare state that could ensure an equality of opportunity, a fairer distribution of wealth, and state-funded social networks for the poorest, the handicapped and the most vulnerable.

Christian principles of universality and respect for each person were also the cornerstones of the establishment of new international institutions that were meant to increase cooperation, and led to the establishment of the United Nations as an overarching world organization to promote peace and respect for human life and dignity everywhere. Christian ideals were enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that was ratified by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, according to which every person has the right to life, freedom, equality and justice, as well as access to food, healthcare and necessary social services.

Living up to this standard has always been a challenge, but the second half of the 20th century was marked by a significant improvement of human rights, and a gradual rise in freedom and democracy around the world.

Remaining colonies in Africa and Asia were liberated, Spain and Portugal democratized, and the Soviet Union collapsed, opening a path to freedom and democracy for many countries previously trapped under communist rule.

The role of the Church, and particularly the efforts of St. John Paul II, in this process of

democratization cannot be overstated. However, the firm commitment of our government to the principles of freedom and spread of democracy as the primary goal of U.S. foreign policy was crucial. From the Truman Doctrine, formulated in 1948, that committed our country to the support for freedom everywhere, to our country’s opposition to repressive regimes in the subsequent decades, the U.S. has championed resistance to totalitarianism.

Now, however, the Church continues to oppose autocratic regimes (most recently in Nicaragua and the Philippines) while the American government’s promotion of democratic values has been declining.

The past several years have been marked by a noticeable weakening of U.S. support for democratic currents around the world and an overall withdrawal of U.S. international involvement. The current administration’s open bias when dealing with the refugee crisis and the inhumane treatment of immigrants at the U.S.-Mexican border, and its warm overtures towards notorious strongmen including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Philippine’s Rodrigo Duterte are sending a clear message that democratic principles are not at the top of America’s foreign policy agenda.

According to a Freedom House report, democratic values declined in 71 countries throughout 2017 and continue to be in retreat even in large countries such as Russia, Brazil, India, and the U.S. A particularly worrisome development can be observed in Turkey, Hungary, Tunisia and Myanmar, which are reverting to autocracy, with Myanmar engaging in ethnic cleansing of its Rohingya minority. Only 35 countries saw an expansion of civil liberties during the same year.

Israel, which has for many years enjoyed the status of being the only stable and prosperous democracy in the Middle East, recently passed a law unequivocally asserting its Jewish identity, officially weakening the political rights of its Muslim, Christian and Messianic minorities.

History teaches us that the process of democratization is not irreversible and that even established democracies can revert to authoritarianism. This alarming trend is not likely to be reversed unless there is a concerted effort to promote the values of life, freedom and dignity of every person at the domestic and international levels. It is up to each citizen to seek and support political candidates who show a firm commitment to these values, not only through our participation in the election process, but through our visible and active political involvement in our everyday lives.

‘History teaches us that the process of democratization is not irreversible.’

DR. KAMILA VALENTA is a member of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte and a part-time professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she teaches courses on ethnic conflict.

O

Healing the wounds of the 21st Century

n Aug. 30, the feast of our foundress, St. Jeanne Jugan, we Little Sisters of the Poor will launch a jubilee year celebrating the 150th anniversary of our Congregation’s arrival in the United States.

Our pioneering Little Sisters arrived in America during a particularly painful period in our nation’s history. The nativist movement of the 1850s, the Civil War and the failures of Reconstruction left an enormous human toll, vast economic devastation and a profound racial divide in their wake.

Like a healing balm, the Little Sisters of the Poor brought a much-needed infusion of humble service and merciful love to America.

The Little Sisters personified the Church’s preferential option for the poor and most abandoned.

In the early decades of our nation’s history, elders depended on their children or personal wealth to assure a comfortable old age. Poorhouses, modeled on England’s “Poor Laws,” sheltered the indigent elderly, but they were characterized by primitive, often subhuman conditions.

By the 1850s, benevolent societies and fraternal organizations began to organize old age homes and other forms of assistance for those able to pay monthly dues while they were young so that they could receive help in their old age. What was novel about the Little Sisters’ mission was that they came to America specifically to care for those who could not pay their own way.

The second mark of originality in the Little Sisters’ charism of hospitality was its universal embrace. In a century characterized by anti-immigrant propaganda and blatant racial discrimination, the Little Sisters opened their doors to the needy elderly regardless of race, religion or nationality – Catholic and nonCatholic, immigrant and nativeborn, black and white.

Third, through their compassionate care for the infirm and the dying, the Little Sisters offered a powerful witness of the sacredness of every human life until the very end, regardless of personal status, ability or wealth.

The Industrial Revolution had encouraged a utilitarian mindset that treated human workers

as machines and erroneously associated self-worth with status and wealth. Those perceived as unproductive were cast aside. The Little Sisters’ loving care of the poor and their accompaniment of the dying offered a counterbalance to the dehumanizing forces at work in 19th century American society.

Finally, the Little Sisters of the Poor brought to America a powerful testimony to absolute faith in God’s Providence. They arrived with almost nothing and set up shop in empty buildings, depending on the generosity of the local community to provide all that was needed for the care of the poor.

On seeing all that the Sisters received in their first collecting rounds, the Mother Superior in one Home wept as she exclaimed, “O Providence! O Providence!” The Sisters in another Home expressed their sense of wonder, “Divine Providence provided according to our needs … We were quite overcome with gratitude towards the good God; who disposed so well people’s hearts in our favor.”

These four characteristics of our Congregation’s charism, personified by our pioneering Little Sisters, brought a unique Gospel message to 19th century America: The preferential option for the poor and most abandoned; universal charity, without regard for race, creed or nationality; profound reverence for the dignity of every human life; AND absolute trust in Divine Providence.

These values are no less relevant today than they were in the post-Civil War era, for they also respond to the wounds in our 21st century culture and the longing in contemporary hearts for God’s merciful love.

In fact, these values might be even more urgently needed today, as Pope Francis suggests: “The thing the Church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the Church as a field hospital after battle ... Heal the wounds, heal the wounds ... You have to start from the ground up.”

Please join us in thanking God for his Providential care of our Congregation and the many blessings of these past 150 years!

SISTER CONSTANCE VEIT is director of communications for the Little Sisters of the Poor.

August 17, 2018 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

19

Bobby Speers

Get an ‘IRS audit’

T

ax time is over, but right about now is when notifications from the Internal Revenue Service are sent out. An IRS audit can put anyone into a nail-biting frenzy. Even if our tax return has been done correctly, there is still an element of impending doom.

As taxpayers, we fear an IRS audit but for some reason we have the misguided philosophy that we can give a mere fraction of our time, talent and treasure to God and we don’t need to worry any further. Going to Mass on Sunday is all we need to do, and God is totally satisfied with that spiritual effort.

Unfortunately, that’s the devil talking. Despite its complex and symbolic wording, Revelation has lessons that we can apply to our lives in the 21st century.

Start with Rev 1:9-11: “I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the island called Patmos because I proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony to Jesus. I was caught up in spirit on the Lord’s day and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, which said, ‘Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.’”

Reading further, John reveals the audit of these seven churches. Where do we personally fit into this audit? Where does our parish fit into this audit? There is one repetitive phrase that should make us stand up and take notice – God knows our works individually and as a community of faith.

Ephesus (Rev 2:1-5): “To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write this: ‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this: “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors.

Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent”.’”

Smyrna (Rev 2:8-10): “To the angel of the church in Smyrna, write this: ‘The first and the last, who once died but came to life, says this: “I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan. Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life”.’”

Pergamum (Rev 2:12-14): To the angel of the church in Pergamum, write this: ‘The one with the sharp two-edged sword says this: “I know that you live where Satan’s throne is, and yet you hold fast to my name and have not denied your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was martyred among you, where Satan lives.

Yet I have a few things against you. You have some people there who hold to the teaching

of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the Israelites: to eat food sacrificed to idols and to play the harlot”.’”

Thyatira (Rev 2: 18-21): “To the angel of the church in Thyatira, write this: ‘The Son of God, whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like polished brass, says this: “I know your works, your love, faith, service, and endurance, and that your last works are greater than the first. Yet I hold this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, who teaches and misleads my servants to play the harlot and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her harlotry”.’”

Sardis (Rev 3:1-4): “To the angel of the church in Sardis, write this: ‘The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this: “I know your works that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not watchful, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come upon you. However, you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy”.’”

Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-11): “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write this: ‘The holy one, the true, who holds the key of David, who opens and no one shall close, who closes and no one shall open, says this: “I know your works (behold, I have left an open door before you, which no one can close). You have limited strength, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the assembly of Satan who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying, behold I will make them come and fall prostrate at your feet, and they will realize that I love you. Because you have kept my message of endurance, I will keep you safe in the time of trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming quickly. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may take your crown”.’”

Laodicea (Rev 3:14-19): “To the angel of the church in Laodicea, write this: ‘The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of God’s creation, says this: “I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,’ and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments to put on so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed, and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent”.’”

Use these descriptions of the seven churches to help evaluate your spiritual health. That will help you when it comes time for your own “IRS audit” – an “Internal Routine Spiritual audit” that God will give you at the end of your life.

BOBBY SPEERS is an author who lives in Hickory.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 17, 2018 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

“I Am The Living Bread”

John 6:51

14th Eucharistic Congress

September 7 & 8, 2018 Charlotte Convention Center Bishop Peter Jugis - Celebrant and Homilist - Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Trent Horn - The Beginner’s Guide to Defending the Faith Fr. Cassian Folsom - Transformed: Patristic Teaching On The Effects Of The Eucharist Sr. Johanna Paruch - The Catechism: A Gift to Prayer and Catholic Life Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers - Truth, Freedom, and the Human Person: Understanding Our Life in Christ FRIDAY EVENING: Byzantine : Vespers • Trent Horn - The Beginner’s Guide to Defending the Faith • College nighT • EUCHARISTIC ADORATION • Eucharistic Procession SATURDAY: Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Charlotte • Holy Hour • Confession • English and Spanish Tracks for Adults • K-12 Education Tracks for Students - Register online • Sacred Music Concerts • Religious displays • Vendors of Sacred Art • Vocation and Education info • Holy Mass – Concelebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis and the priests of the Diocese of Charlotte

www.GoEucharist.com