Nov. 8, 2019

November 8, 2019

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

Catholic Charities receives grant to help veterans

CELEBRATING BLACK CATHOLIC HISTORY MONTH

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New pastors installed in Maggie Valley, Waynesville 6

INDEX

Contact us.....................................4 Español....................................... 14-17 Events calendar............................4 Our Faith........................................2 Our Parishes............................ 3-9 Schools........................................ 10 Scripture readings.......................2 TV & Movies..................................11 U.S. news.................................18-19 Viewpoints.............................22-23 World news............................ 20-21

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12-13 Celebrating Mass in catacombs, pope recalls all persecuted Christians 20

‘You are powerful witnesses of all that Christ Jesus has done for us’ Bishop Jugis celebrates annual Jubilee Wedding Anniversary Mass

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Esperanza y compromiso en reunión regional del V Encuentro 14

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | November 8, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

St. Nuno Álvares Pereira Feast day: Nov. 6 Pope Francis

Dialogue begins with empathy, not contempt

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hristians who preach the Gospel must see people who do not know Christ as children of God and not as nonbelievers worthy of hostility and contempt, Pope Francis said. The example of St. Paul’s mission in Greece and his encounter with the pagan culture there serves as a reminder that Christians should “create a bridge to dialogue” with other cultures, the pope said Nov. 6 during his weekly general audience.

“Paul does not look at the city of Athens and the pagan world with hostility but with the eyes of faith,” he said. “And this makes us question our way of looking at our cities: Do we observe them with indifference? With contempt? Or with the faith that recognizes children of God in the midst of the anonymous crowds?”

Continuing his series of talks on the Acts of the Apostles, the pope focused on St. Paul’s visit to Athens, a city that “still held the primacy of culture” and was “full of idols.” According to tradition, St. Paul preached to the Athenians at the Areopagus, an area that was not only a symbol of Greek political and cultural life but also the location of an altar to the “unknown god.”

The paganism of the Greeks did not cause the apostle to flee, the pope explained. Instead, “Paul observes the culture and environment of Athens from a contemplative gaze that sees God dwelling in their homes, in their streets and squares.” “In the heart of one of the most famous institutions of the ancient world, the Areopagus, he realizes an extraordinary example of inculturation of the message of the faith,” the pope said. “He proclaims Jesus Christ to idol worshippers and doesn’t do it by attacking them, but by making himself a ‘pontiff,’ a builder of bridges.” The apostle, he continued, “takes his cue from the altar of the city dedicated to the unknown god” and engages with the Athenians with “empathy,” declaring that he is preaching in the name of the one they “worship without knowing it.”

Citing Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis said that in doing so, St. Paul is not proclaiming the unknown god but rather “proclaiming Him whom men do not know and yet do know – the unknown-known.” In this way, St. Paul can announce the message of salvation, “the kerygma,” by alluding “to Christ without citing Him, defining Him as the man whom God has chosen,” he said.

He concluded his talk by asking Christians to ask the Holy Spirit to “teach us to build bridges with culture, with those who do not believe or with those who have a different creed from ours.”

“Let us ask Him for the capacity to delicately inculturate the message of faith, placing a contemplative gaze on those who are ignorant of Christ, moved by a love that warms even the most hardened hearts.”

PENNY WATKINS, T.O.CARM. SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Nuno Álvares Pereira was born in the village of Bomjardin near Lisbon, Portugal, on June 24, 1360.

He was born the illegitimate son of Brother Alvaro Gonçalves Pereira, who was a professed member of the Order of Hospitalier Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. Nuno’s parents never married since his father was a professed member of a religious organization. Alvaro Gonçalves Pereira had a total of 32 illegitimate children. Nuno’s grandfather was the 97th Archbishop of Braga.

About a year after his birth, Nuno’s birth was legitimized by royal decree. This action enabled Nuno to receive a knightly education, which was the expectation for children born of nobility.

At 13 years old he became page to the queen, and he was created a knight. At the insistence of his father, Nuno, then 16, was married to a rich, young widow, Doñna Leonor de Alvim. The couple had three children, but two children died in early childhood. His daughter, Beatrice, married Alfonso, first Duke of Bragança, son of King João I (John).

NUNO, THE SOLDIER

In 1383, the then king, Fernando, died without an heir. His brother John struggled for the throne with the King of Castile, who was married to John’s sister. Nuno supported John because he did not want Portugal to be incorporated into Castile.

Several of his brothers, however, supported the King of Castile.

Throughout the war, Nuno displayed great valor. He was also acknowledged as a great military strategist. In 1384 he overcame the Castilians at the Battle of Atoleiros. As a result, at 25 years of age, he was declared constable, or supreme commander of the Portuguese army.

The constable’s courage and valor continued, when later in 1385, he won the battle of Aljubarrota and brought the war to an end. Dom Nuno Álvares Pereira became the national hero of Portugal. As a member of the nobility, and as a soldier, he gained great wealth during his first 60-plus years.

Throughout his long military career, he put the interests of his nation above his own and served his people in spite of any personal risk.

NUNO, A MAN OF PRAYER

Throughout his years as a soldier, Nuno lived a life of deep spirituality. On the field of battle, he would kneel and pray.

He encouraged his soldiers to receive the sacraments as often as they could. He discouraged them from participating in immoral activities that were so common among soldiers of the day.

His life of piety included an intense devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Virgin Mary. He was totally dedicated to Marian prayer, and he fasted in Mary’s honor on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

His personal banner or standard was divided into four quadrants divided by a cross. In the quadrants was a depiction of Mary standing at the foot of the cross, Mary, Mother of God, and his two knightly role models, St. George and St. James.

Nuno also did not keep his wealth to himself. He was generous to the poor and generous to the Church. He built multiple churches dedicated to Our Lady throughout Portugal, including the Carmelite church and monastery in Lisbon.

After peace finally came to Portugal, Nuno gave away most of his wealth to war veterans.

NUNO, THE CARMELITE

Dom Nuno’s wife died in 1387, when he was 27 years old. He chose not to re-marry and lived a celibate lifestyle. This was a radical choice, but one built on his already acknowledged spiritual path. He dedicated himself to practices of chivalry, prayer,

benevolence and living a life inspired by the Gospels. When he was 63 years old, on Aug. 15, 1423, Nuno entered the Carmel in Lisbon, a monastery that he had constructed years before.

He wanted no special treatment because of his highly respected position among the nobility of Portugal or his brilliant, victorious military career. He entered Carmel as a lay brother and took the name Brother Nuno of Saint Mary. He only wanted to serve his Lord and Mary his patroness.

In the Rule of St. Albert, the Rule followed by Carmelites, Chapter 19 speaks of spiritual armor. Nuno gave up the armor of war and took on the spiritual armor of Carmel. In his years as a Carmelite lay brother, he dedicated his life to serving the poor, and he organized a program for dispensing food to the poor and needy.

Nuno had a brilliant military career, was a member of nobility and was a friend of kings. On his deathbed he was visited by King John, who considered Brother Nuno to be his best friend. That was no wonder since it was Nuno who helped to establish John as king in the Royal House of Brançaga.

As Brother Nuno was dying, he asked that the Passion from John’s Gospel be read to him. As the reader spoke “Behold thy Mother!”, Nuno Álvares, Constable of Portugal and Carmelite Brother, died on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1431.

NUNO’S POPULARITY

Upon his death, Nuno was immediately considered a saint by the people who called him “O Holy Constable!” Even before his death, statues dedicated to his heroism were erected throughout Portugal.

The fame of his holiness continued to grow, as did the amount of time required to process a canonization. The process was initiated immediately by the Portuguese sovereigns and then by the Carmelite Order. Obstacles were many, but in 1894 the Postulator General for the Carmelites introduced the process again. In 1918 Dom Nuno was beatified by Pope Benedict XV. He was canonized in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI. — Sources: Vatican Archives, news notices, Carmelite informational biographies, and the Pastoral Letter from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Portugal.

Daily Scripture readings NOV. 10-16

Sunday: 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5, Luke 20:27-38; Monday (St. Martin of Tours): Wisdom 1:1-7, Luke 17:1-6; Tuesday (St. Josaphat): Wisdom 2:23-3:9, Luke 17:7-10; Wednesday (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini): Wisdom 6:1-11, Luke 17:11-19,; Thursday: Wisdom 7:22-8:1, Luke 17:20-25; Friday (St. Albert the Great): Wisdom 13:1-9, Luke 17:26-37; Saturday (St. Margaret of Scotland; St. Gertrude): Wisdom 18:14-16, 19:6-9, Luke 18:1-8

NOV. 17-23

Sunday: Malachi 3:19-20, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12, Luke 21:5-19; Monday (The Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul; St. Rose Philippine Duchesne): 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63, Luke 18:35-43; Tuesday: 2 Maccabees 6:18-31, Luke 19:1-10; Wednesday: 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31, Luke 19:11-28; Thursday (The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary): 1 Maccabees 2:15-29, Luke 19:41-44; Friday (St. Cecilia): 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59, 1 Chronicles 29:1012, Luke 19:45-48; Saturday (St. Clement I, St. Columban, BI. Miguel Agustín Pro): 1 Maccabees 6:1-13, Luke 20:27-40

NOV. 24-30

Sunday (Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe): 2 Samuel 5:1-3, Colossians 1:12-20, Luke 23:35-43; Monday (St. Catherine of Alexandria): Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20, Daniel 3:52-56, Luke 21:1-4; Tuesday: Daniel 2:31-45, Daniel 3:57-61, Luke 21:5-11; Wednesday: Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28, Daniel 3:62-67, Luke 21:12-19; Thursday (Thanksgiving Day): Daniel 6:12-28, Daniel 3:68-74, Luke 21:20-28; Friday: Daniel 7:2-14, Daniel 3:75-81, Luke 21:29-33; Saturday (St. Andrew): Romans 10:9-18, Matthew 4:18-22

Our parishes

November 8, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Catholic Charities receives grant to help veterans KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER

Bishop Peter Jugis distributes Holy Communion Nov. 3 during the Jubilee Wedding Anniversary Mass held at St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘You are powerful witnesses of all that Christ Jesus has done for us’ Bishop Jugis celebrates annual Jubilee Wedding Anniversary Mass SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Seventy-five married couples celebrating jubilee wedding anniversaries were guests of Bishop Peter Jugis at the annual Wedding Anniversary Mass, held this year at St. John Neumann Church Nov. 3. A reception sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte was held in their honor after Mass.

During his homily, Bishop Jugis welcomed the couples from parishes all around the diocese and expressed his delight in celebrating the Mass for their intentions, to ask God for continued blessings upon their marriages.

“We are here to honor you for the witness of your love; your love for one another and especially your love for the Lord,” Bishop Jugis said. “Your love for the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the center and the reason for the love of your marriage. It is Christ’s love and your love for Him that is at the center of your marriage and the center of your family life.”

He also expressed to the couples that their marriages are witness of the union of Christ and His Church.

“Just as Christ loves His Church, loves His people so much that He gives His entire life for the Church, so also that love shows up in marriage. We see in marriage that total, complete and unconditional love that man and woman have for each other.”

“You are powerful witnesses of all that Christ Jesus has done for us… You are a sign and witness to that love and fidelity (of Christ),” Bishop Jugis said.

After the homily Bishop Jugis invited the couples to stand and turn toward each other to renew their commitment to each another.

Bishop Jugis also offered a blessing of their wedding banns.

In attendance at Mass were George and Thelma Lewis of Our Lady of Consolation Church, who have been married for 60 years. They tied the knot July 4, 1969, at St. Columbus Church in Philadelphia. They have two adult sons, three grandchildren and twin great-grandchildren.

When asked what is the secret to their marriage, George said, “Happy wife, happy life.”

“That says it all,” Thelma added.

Some deacons and their wives who are celebrating golden wedding anniversaries this year shared how faith has played a role in their marriage.

Deacon Carlos and Martha Medina of St. Patrick Cathedral in

Charlotte were married 50 years ago at Santa Domingo Church in Nicaragua. They have four sons and four grandchildren.

“Our faith has increased a lot,” Deacon Medina said. “We got married by faith. When we got married, we knew it was for a lifetime. It was not to test to see if it would be good only for a few years. We knew we would have to fight for it so we could be married for the rest of our lives.”

Deacon John Riehl and his wife Shirley of St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon were married 50 years ago at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Angola, Ind. They have seven children and 10 grandchildren. ”We started our engagement and marriage with Our Lord,” Shirley said.

“If we didn’t have it, we probably wouldn’t be married. The sanctifying gifts are paramount,” Deacon Riehl added.

Bill and Rosemary Matevie of St. Luke Church in Mint Hill have been married 50 years. They were married at St. Philip Neri Church in Detroit. They have seven children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

“We believe marriage takes three: Jesus, my husband and myself,” Rosemary said. “We know that prayer is very important.

We have had our ups and our downs. We have weathered the storms and come out stronger because of it.”

Bill said Rosemary’s prayers helped him convert to Catholicism.

“We experienced things like Marriage Encounter and Cursillo.

I just love the moral tradition of the Catholic Church. It’s been wonderful. We have met a lot of people.”

“We couldn’t have done it without the Lord,” Rosemary added, and “Lots of prayer and patience.”

Celebrating 25 years of marriage this year are Chris and Donnette Labus of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte. They have four children ranging in age from 24 to 17.

“Our faith has been the pillar of our marriage,” Chris explained.

“It has been our anchor, and without our relationship with God we wouldn’t be able to go anywhere. The survival (of our marriage) is based on our relationship with Christ.”

David and Debbie Walsh are also celebrating their silver anniversary. They were married 25 years ago at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte by recently retired Father Frank O’Rourke.

The have six children aged 24 to 16.

“God has been good,” Debbie said. “We have definitely grown in our faith in the past 25 years. All the graces we have received from the sacrament of marriage have greatly influenced how we are being led, where we are going in our walk, and how we are advising our children.”

God “helps make it easy,” David added. “He helps make our marriage stronger and easier to love each other when we love Him.”

CHARLOTTE — Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is expanding its services with the help of a new Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The $500,000 yearly grant, received Oct. 1, has allowed Catholic Charities to hire and train two case coordinators to facilitate the program, said Sandy Buck, Regional Director for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.

The federal VA’s SSVF program awards grants to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives that can provide supportive services to very lowincome veterans and their families living in or transitioning to permanent housing.

Catholic Charities will provide eligible veterans and their families with housing location services, case management and assistance in obtaining VA and other benefits.

The program serves very low-income veterans and their families who are homeless or are in danger of becoming homeless, Buck said. The primary goal is to establish housing, she explained.

Catholic Charities has subcontracted with Veterans Bridge Home to provide outreach and assessment services. They will also work with other Charlotte-area agencies to identity and find housing for the veterans. According to Buck, there are more than 300 known homeless people in the city who may be eligible for this aid.

“Our ultimate goal is to eliminate homelessness,” Buck said.

After the veteran has a safe place to live, then their focus moves to case management, access to health care, personal financial planning, transportation, child care if needed, legal services and assistance obtaining other benefits, Buck said.

“Catholic Charities is a case management agency,” Buck said, “so this is an expansion on what we already do. The funding from Veterans Affairs allows us to do that. We are excited we can assist our veterans in providing these extra services.”

Now that Catholic Charities has the staff in place, the program is beginning to take on cases.

Catholic Charities’ goal is to serve 120 veterans and their families during this initial grant year, Buck said, focusing on those in need in Mecklenburg County at first. As the grant is renewed next year, the goal is to expand to other counties in the Diocese of Charlotte, she noted.

“Catholic Charities is working to expand the services we can provide,” Buck said. “We’re excited we can start assisting our veterans in providing these services.”

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | November 8, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: NOV. 8 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Vincent de Paul Church, Charlotte

NOV. 10-15 USCCB Meeting, Baltimore

NOV. 19 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Charlotte

NOV. 21 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte

Diocesan calendar of events November 8, 2019 Volume 29 • NUMBER 3

1123 S. CHURCH ST. CHARLOTTE, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

ENTERTAINMENT ORGAN RECITAL: 7:30 -9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte.

Featuring Dr. Gianfranco and Mara DeLuca. The Delucas will perform works by JS Bach, Joseph Jongen, Nicolas De Grigny and GF Hansel. For details, contact the parish office at 704-334-2283.

704-370-3333 ESPAÑOL 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.

PROGRAMA EDUCATIVO, ‘PREVENCIÓN DE ESTAFAS Y FRAUDES’: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Jueves, 7 de noviembre, St. Eugene Church, 72 Culvern St., Asheville. Descubra las razones por las cuales usted puede ser víctima de fraudes y estafas, los tipos de estafas que más comúnmente apuntan a las personas mayores, consejos para evitar ser estafado, qué hacer si ha sido víctima de una estafa. Presentado por A. Mercedes RestuchaKlem, Abogada de Políticas y Difusión, Departamento de Justicia de Carolina del Norte, Sección Protección Ciudadana. Inscríbase respondiendo a Sandra Breakfield, Directora del Programa Elder Ministry, al 704-370-3220 o por email a sabreakfield@ charlottediocese.org, o Paola Quiterio Candelaria al 336-727-0705.

VIÑEDO DE RAQUEL: ¿Es usted o un ser querido que busca la curación de los efectos de un aborto anterior?

Los retiros de fin de semana son ofrecidos por Caridades Católicas para hombres y mujeres en todas las regiones de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Para obtener información sobre los próximos retiros, incluidos retiros en las diócesis vecinas, comuníquese con Karina Hernández: 336-267-1937 o karinahernandez@live.com.

VIGILIA DE ADORACIÓN: 6 p.m. los jueves, en la Catedral San Patricio, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Nos reunimos para una Vigilia de Adoración por la Paz y la Justicia en Nicaragua, que en estos últimos meses están pasando por momentos turbulentos y ataques físicos contra la Iglesia Católica, sus templos, y sus Obispos.

Todos son bienvenidos a unirse a la Adoración, rezar el Santo Rosario, la hora santa de reparación, y terminando con la oración de exorcismo de San Miguel Arcángel.

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR: 7 p.m. each First Friday at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte.

The Divine Mercy Holy Hours are celebrated year-round (except for Lent) and consist of Eucharistic Adoration, readings from the diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, the sung chaplet of Divine Mercy and benediction. For details, call Paul Deer at 704-577-3496.

24-HOUR ADORATION: First Friday of every month at Good Shepherd Mission, 105 Good Shepherd Dr., King. For details, call the parish office at 336-983-2680.

PRO-LIFE ROSARY: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 901 North Main St. and Sunset Drive, High Point. Come and help pray for the end of abortion, and feel free to invite anyone who would be morally supportive of this very important cause. For details, email Jim Hoyng at Ajhoyng@hotmail. com or Paul Klosterman at Pauljklosterman@aol.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: CHARLOTTE: 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

MORGANTON: 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Nov. 12 and Nov. 19, St. Charles Borromeo Church, 728 West Union St. GREENSBORO: 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS ‘I FIRMLY RESOLVE’ SERIES OF TALKS BY FATHER MATTHEW KAUTH: Seven-day online devotional series designed to help you get your life on the right spiritual track. Free viewing at www.catholiccompany.com/goodcatholic/about-family-resolve.tr.

END OF LIFE TALK WITH FATHER NOAH CARTER: Noon, Thursday, Nov. 14, in the Parish Hall, at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro.

As we commemorate All Souls month, come for an engaging and hopeful talk on the dignity of human life at the end of life and how Christ’s redemptive suffering through His passion and death has sanctified and dignified death. The event is sponsored by Carolina Pro-Life Action Network (C-PLAN) of the Triad and St. Paul the Apostle Respect Life Committee. For details, contact Sam Hogan at triadprolifecatholics@gmail.com or 336-865-9842.

‘EVOLUTION & THE CULTURE OF DEATH- UNMASKING THE ROOTS OF TODAY’S ABORTION MOVEMENT’: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Kerin Family Center, St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. Event is open to ages 12 and up. Guest speakers Hugh Owen and Pamela Acker with the Kolbe Center for the Study of Creation. For details and to RSVP, contact Mike FitzGerald at respect. life@stmarknc.org.

IGBO MASS: Noon, Sunday, Nov. 24, St. Mary’s Church, 812 Duke St., Greensboro. For details, call 336-707-3625.

SUPPORT GROUPS RACHEL’S VINEYARD: Are you or a loved one seeking healing from the effects of a past abortion? Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats are offered by Catholic Charities for men and women in the western, central and eastern regions of the Diocese of Charlotte. For details about upcoming retreats, contact Jackie Childers at 980-241-0251 or Jackie.childers1@gmail.com, or Jessica Grabowski at 910-585-2460 or jrgrabowski@ charlottediocese.org.

YOUNG ADULTS 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. St. Lawrence Basilica: www.saintlawrencebasilica.org/young-adultministry.

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: on Facebook at “Our Lady of Consolation Young Adult Ministry” ST. GABRIEL CHURCH: https://stgabrielchurch.org ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH: call Meg VanGoethem, 815-545-2587 or visit www.4sjnc.org/faith-formation/ adult-ministry/young-adult-ministry St. Luke Church: www.stlukechurch.net/young-adult-ministry ST. MARK CHURCH: on Facebook at “The Young Adult Ministry of St. Mark” ST. MATTHEW CHURCH: on Facebook at “Young Adult Life: A St. Matthew Ministry” or visit www. stmatthewcatholic.org/youngadultministries 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. Michael Church in Gastonia: For Catholics in their 20s and 30s in the Gastonia area. Meets once a month. Online at www. stmichaelsgastonia.org/young-adult ST. LEO THE GREAT CHURCH IN WINSTON-SALEM: online at “Winston Salem Frassati,” www.wsfrassati. com.

Corrections The Oct. 25 article “Room At The Inn pays tribute to ‘a mother’s heart’” contained several errors. Room At The Inn is no longer part of Catholic Charities USA. In addition, award winner Dr. Christine Cugliari’s name and the name of the Marlene DuBose Faithful Servant Award were misspelled.

The Oct. 25 article “Respect Life conference held in Charlotte” misidentified Dr. Stephen Samuel of Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.

We regret these inaccuracies.

November 8, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

Legal professionals seek guidance of the Holy Spirit SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari celebrated the 16th annual Red Mass Oct. 29 at St. Peter Church. Many of the legal professionals in attendance are members of the St. Thomas More Society, which emphasizes living a life faithful to Jesus Christ and His Church and seeks to promote justice in society.

The Red Mass is celebrated throughout the United States traditionally in conjunction with the opening session of the U.S. Supreme Court, giving members of the legal community the opportunity to reflect on the God-given responsibilities of their profession.

The Mass in Charlotte, a votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, drew dozens of Catholics who serve in our legal system, particularly attorneys and judges.

In his homily, Abbot Placid encouraged members of the St. Thomas More Society and others present to reflect on the virtue of hope.

“Each of us in the vocation we believe we have discerned as given us by the Lord are, each in our own way, to bear witness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ everywhere and always,” he said.

“This Red Mass is not a continuing education program for you to make you more skilled in your profession. Rather, it is the Church gathered in prayer to ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit for those who have discerned a calling to refine your God-given talents in the judiciary, the legal profession and as officers of the law. That is, in the properly secular and civic arena,” he noted.

Abbot Placid continued, recalling words from the Second Vatican Council: “‘Thus the Church speaks to you, who have a specific vocation and calling, as follows in

Proclaiming Christ the King CHARLOTTE — In one of the largest attended Latin Masses of the year, St. Ann Parish and the Charlotte Latin Mass Community celebrated the traditional feast of Christ the King Oct. 27. The feast was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 on the last Sunday in October to call the Christian faithful and its rulers to give public honor and obedience to Jesus Christ and to emphasize His Kingship in society. The Mass in the Extraordinary Form (Latin) for this feast day was offered by St. Ann’s pastor, Father Timothy Reid, who preached on Christ’s rule over all things and His desire to rule in the hearts of all men. Immediately after Mass, Father Reid led the fourth annual Eucharistic Procession for Christ the King and processed the Blessed Sacrament around the parish neighborhood to proclaim Christ’s Kingship.

Following him were approximately 360 people in attendance, many of them carrying statues, images and flags of saintly (and blessed) kings, queens and other royalty who acknowledged Christ’s rule in both their lives and in their public office, and to implore these saints’ aid in today’s world. The day also included a recitation of the Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which carries with it a plenary indulgence when said on the feast of Christ the King. For more information about the Latin Mass, contact Chris Lauer with the Charlotte Latin Mass Community at info@charlottelatinmass.org or visit www.charlottelatinmass.org.

MIKE FITZGERALD AND MARKUS KUNCORO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari greets members of the legal profession and the St. Thomas More Society after the annual Red Mass Oct. 29 at St. Peter Church in Charlotte.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

words from the Second Vatican Council: ‘At a time when new questions are being put, and when grave errors aiming at undermining religion, the moral order and human society itself are rampant, the Council earnestly exhorts the laity to take a more active part each according to his talents and knowledge and in fidelity to the mind of the Church in the explanation and defense of Christian principles and in the correct application of them to the problems of our times.’

“These words are as relevant today as when they were first promulgated 60 years ago,” Abbot Placid said. “And our gathering at this Mass gives us the opportunity to contemplate in your own vocation, the work of the Holy Spirit, freedom and prayer.”

After Mass, legal professionals explained why they attended the celebration.

Gene Katz, a founding member of the St. Thomas More Society, was in attendance at the Red Mass. He came to Charlotte from Washington, D.C., years ago, and served as regulatory counsel for Wells Fargo before he retired.

“The Red Mass was a big thing in

Washington,” Katz noted. “When we came here, we started the St. Thomas More Society with the specific idea of having a Red Mass, because clearly the legal community in Charlotte was growing, and more and more Catholic lawyers were in town. We thought it would be a good opportunity for us to come together, at least once a year, and pray together to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the work that we do.”

“I do enjoy the Red Mass, because everything we go through in the day is very challenging and difficult,” said Cecilia Oseguera, an assistant public defender and parishioner of St Peter Church in Charlotte.

“When I come to Mass I feel some peace, it’s very uplifting. So it helps me get through the rest of the day. It just shows me there is a lot of hope and love in the world.

We don’t’ see that every day,” Oseguera said. “It’s also great to be around the members of the community, the St. Thomas More community (at the Red Mass). They are really good people and great attorneys.”

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Collection for the Archdiocese of Military Services to be held Nov. 9-10 SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Parishes across western North Carolina will participate in the triennial Collection for the Archdiocese of Military Services second collection Nov. 9-10. Currently, 285 Catholic military chaplains provide pastoral care to more than 1.8 million Catholics on ships, in combat, on bases and in 153 Veterans Affairs hospitals.

The Collection for the Archdiocese of Military Services, taken up every three years, funds its co-sponsored Seminarian Program, which identifies vocations within the military and is now educating 30 men for the priesthood and subsequent military chaplaincy.

Previous collections also made possible the first-ever Catholic military marriage enrichment retreat; widespread certification of catechists at their installations; and the institution of an endowment with a long-term goal of assuring a selfsustaining source of funding.

Archbishop of Military Services, Timothy P. Broglio, in his letter to the faithful regarding the AMS 2019 collection, explained that the AMS was established by Pope John Paul II in 1985 to provide the Catholic Church’s full range of pastoral ministries to those in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“The mission of the archdiocese is ‘Serving Those Who Serve,’ providing the same pastoral care and services as any other Catholic diocese to Catholics serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, enrolled in U.S. military academies, undergoing treatment at any of the 153 Department of Veterans Affairs’ medical centers in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Guam, working in civilian jobs for the federal government beyond U.S. borders, and the families of these populations,” he said.

This includes members of the Charlotte diocese.

While the salaries and retirement of military chaplains are paid for by the government, the AMS receives no funding from the military or the government in support of programs and services vital to the mission and ministry of its mission – including vocations, evangelization and catechesis, sacramental records, tribunal and veterans affairs, he continued.

Unlike a conventional diocese, the AMS has no parishes or parish registries. The AMS has no weekly collections and relies solely on the generosity of private donations to support its programs and services to fund its annual operating budget of $8.2 million.

“Your support of the 2019 Triennial National Collection for the AMS will bring the Gospel, the sacraments and other forms of spiritual support to men and women who serve our country and defend our freedoms, including parishioners and families from your own parish family,” Archbishop Broglio said.

— Archdiocese of Military Services contributed.

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 8, 2019 OUR PARISHES

Bishop Jugis: Share light, love of Christ with others New pastor installed at Waynesville, Canton parishes the last day will ask in an accounting from him regarding everyone in his parish.”

The work of the parish – and the work of WAYNESVILLE — “May God be praised in every pastor – begins at the altar where the all that we do as a parish, with the beautiful Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered, Bishop examples of Our Lady of the Immaculate Jugis noted.

Conception and our patron here at St. John, “Everything that we do at the parish flows the beloved disciple, always ready to rest at from the life and the love that we celebrate the heart of Our Lord.” here at this altar,” he said. “We receive Moments after officially being installed Christ’s Presence, we receive Christ’s life Oct. 26 as pastor of St. John the Evangelist within us, His life and His love, and we Parish in Waynesville and Immaculate carry that to all of the ministries of the Conception Mission in Canton, Father parish.”

Paul McNulty expressed gratitude to his “It all begins here, right here at the altar. parishioners and asked for their prayers.

This is the center of the life of the parish,” During the special Mass of installation, he continued, and thus the celebration of Father McNulty made a public profession the Eucharist is the most important duty of of faith and took an oath of fidelity to the a pastor in caring for his parishioners.

Church at the altar, in the presence of The Eucharist is like the sun at the center Bishop Peter Jugis. of our solar system, the bishop reflected.

The special Mass featured the combined “Just as rays from the sun shoot light choirs of the English and Spanish Masses and the warmth of the sun to all parts of the galaxy, so also the Eucharist, the Son in the center of this universe, sends forth His rays of light, the Light of Christ, and the warmth of the love of Christ to all of the ministries of the parish.”

After his homily, Bishop Jugis escorted the first-time pastor around to places in the church that are significant to his ministry, including the baptismal font, the reconciliation room, the presider’s chair, the altar and the pulpit.

The bishop advised Father McNulty to keep the front doors open at opportune times, so that people may come in to the church and find comfort, peace and solace there in the presence of Jesus Christ. At the baptismal font, he told Father McNulty, welcome new children into the Kingdom of God and then, as their spiritual father, nurture their faith and love for Jesus. At the reconciliation room, he continued, help reconcile wounded souls and relieve their burdens by acknowledging their sins and extending Christ’s mercy and forgiveness. At the pulpit, proclaim the DELLA SUE BRYSON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Father Paul McNulty receives the Book of the Gospels during his installation Word of God clearly and with fidelity, and at the Oct. 26 as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville. presider’s chair, offer the at both churches. Father Julio Dominguez prayers at Mass and unite his prayers to and Father Lucas Rossi concelebrated the those of his parishioners.

Mass, and Deacon Brian McNulty, Father In remarks after Mass, Father McNulty McNulty’s father, assisted. Seminarians thanked people for their support and asked Harry Ohlhaut and Darren Balkey served for their prayers that they all remain the Mass. faithful to Christ and serve the parish in In his homily, Bishop Jugis reiterated to such a way as to help people get to heaven. the congregation the three primary roles of “That’s where I want to go, and I hope a pastor: that of teaching, sanctifying and that’s where you want to go as well,” he said pastoral governance. with a smile. Echoing the bishop’s homily Striving to exemplify the Good Shepherd message, he prayed that the entire parish Himself, the pastor’s mission is to prepare would be a united community of faith that them for eternal life and lead people to “shines throughout Haywood County and on Christ, the bishop said. “That is why he is everyone that we meet here in Waynesville, here ultimately, and that is what the Lord on Canton and in between.”

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Newly installed pastor of St. Margaret Church in Maggie Valley, Father Christopher Bond (right), distributes Holy Communion to his parishioners during the installation Mass Oct. 27.

‘You are Father Bond’s mission’ New pastor installed at Maggie Valley parish SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

MAGGIE VALLEY — It was a picture perfect day for the installation of Father Christopher Bond as pastor of St. Margaret Church Oct. 27. The wall of windows behind the altar revealed autumn’s splendor as Bishop Peter Jugis presided over the installation rite and the Mass, officially turning over canonical possession of the parish to Father Bond.

Father Bond, ordained in 2017, most recently served as parochial vicar of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

During the installation rite at the start of the Mass, Nicki Conroy, faith formation coordinator for the parish, read aloud Father Bond’s official letter of appointment. Bishop Peter Jugis and the congregation then witnessed Father Bond 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 his nephew, Charlotte seminarian Harry Ohlhaut, and Father Christian Cook, the new pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville, who was also ordained to the priesthood in 2017.

During his homily, Bishop Jugis expressed his delight at presiding over the installation and explained why reading Father Bond’s appointment letter aloud during the Mass is important.

“When a priest does receive the assignment to become a pastor, he may be tempted to say, ‘Oh my goodness, where do I begin? What do I do? There is so much to do.’ That is why this letter of appointment that you heard read at the beginning of the Mass is so helpful. It helps him organize the responsibilities of the pastor so he knows how to categorize what he is supposed to do,” Bishop Jugis said.

He explained Father Bond’s new responsibilities as pastor, emphasizing that a pastor has three primary roles: teaching the faith, sanctifying the

faithful and governance of the parish.

“The model in your ministry is the Good Shepherd,” Bishop Jugis said. “The most important work of the parish is the worship of God. The most important thing that happens in the parish is right here at this altar… The most important is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Mass is the life and the love of Jesus Christ here present in our midst – His Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist, which we carry with us into all of the ministries in the parish.”

“You are Father Bond’s mission.

You are why he is here,” Bishop Jugis continued. “But we also ask that you pray for your pastor, too, so that he may be successful in the work that the Lord has placed him here to do on your behalf; teaching, sanctifying and governing the life of the parish.”

After his homily, Bishop Jugis took Father Bond on what he called “a short tour of the church” stopping at the front doors, the baptismal font, the confessional, the presider’s chair, the altar and the tabernacle while giving some words of advice to the new pastor on celebrating the sacraments.

Reflecting on his first assignment as pastor, Father Bond said, “When I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Charlotte, I knew that I had properly discerned my God-given vocation. The peace I have enjoyed since my ordination day, even when the going has gotten tough, has been undeniable and palpable.

Now that I have been officially installed as a pastor of a parish, I find that the many gifts God has given me (some perhaps dormant for years) are now at the full service of Holy Mother Church – both universally and particularly at this beautiful parish of St. Margaret of Scotland.”

“Somehow, I always knew I was to be a priest, but I never realized how fulfilling it would be, through God’s grace, to assume the awesome responsibility of the full care of souls with which a pastor is charged,” he said.

November 8, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

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Father Elzi passes away

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CAROLYN PAINLEY AND DON MILHOLIN

A 2019 Local CCHD Grant provided funds for Out of the Garden Project’s Fresh Mobile Markets, which bring food to families in need throughout the Guilford County area. The adjacent photos show the Catholic community support for this non-profit based in Greensboro that seeks “to nourish families with food to grow, learn and thrive.” In front of the Fresh Mobile Markets truck are youth from St. Pius X Parish in Greensboro who offer assistance at project delivery sites. St. Pius X Parish, one of Out of the Garden Project’s community partners, shared in its letter of endorsement how it “promotes the common good and wellbeing of our neighbors” and that the Fresh Mobile Markets help to meet a “most basic right and need – nutrition.” Out of the Garden Project also relies on community partners for collecting much of the food that is distributed in Guilford County. Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville is one such source for food distributed by Out of the Garden Project, and the high school’s gym is a busy place on a day when an Out of the Garden Project food drive takes place.

CCHD Grants provide help across Charlotte diocese Collection takes place on Nov. 23-24 JOSEPH PURELLO SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) second collection will take place in archdioceses and dioceses across the nation at Masses celebrated the weekend prior to Thanksgiving, Nov. 23-24. The funds collected target the underlying causes of poverty and related social concerns (such as housing and nutrition) in communities across the United States through the provision of grants that are awarded nationally and locally.

With financial support from 25 percent of the total funds raised in this annual collection, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte awards local grants every spring to fund projects sponsored by non-profits

(including both diocesan and non-diocesan non-profit organizations) in the Diocese of Charlotte. Funded grant projects must target the root causes of poverty and related social concerns, and grant applications must be accompanied by a parish endorsement. A committee of volunteers from across the diocese, chaired by Chanele Jackson of Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church in Charlotte, review the applications, conduct site visits, and determine grant awards.

From the generosity of many donors across the Charlotte diocese who contributed to last year’s CCHD collection, Catholic Charities distributed 13 grants totaling $36,250 in May. Grantees came from 11 communities in the diocese: Black Mountain, Brevard, Charlotte, Forest City, Greensboro, Hendersonville, Hickory, High Point, Jefferson, Lenoir and

Nov. 17 is World Day of the Poor The World Day of the Poor will take place Nov. 17. This day, an annual observance of the Catholic Church initiated by Pope Francis in 2017, provides an opportunity to “reflect on how poverty is at the very heart of the Gospel.” In this year’s World Day of the Poor message, Pope Francis reflects on Psalm 9:19, “The hope of the poor will not perish forever.” One can find links to the Holy Father’s 2019 message, in its entirety (in English and Spanish), as well messages for the previous World Day of the Poor messages online at www.ccdoc.org/ education.

Winston-Salem.

This coming year marks the 50th year of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ CCHD Program, founded to help break the cycle of poverty. Find out more information about the U.S. Bishops CCHD Program at www.usccb. org/cchd.

Interested in the Catholic Charities Local CCHD Grant Program? Guidelines and application for the 2020 round of grants will be available to download after Dec. 2 at www.ccdoc.org/cchdcrs. Completed grant applications will be due, via email, on Feb. 17, 2020.

JOSEPH PURELLO is director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy.

Looking for a great resource to learn more about poverty in the U.S.?

CCHD has a complementary mission of educating about domestic poverty and its causes at both the national and local level. PovertyUSA.org, an educational resource of CCHD provided in English and Spanish, seeks to educate and promote understanding about poverty in the USA and its root causes. Visit PovertyUSA.org for resources such as: prayers, a poverty quiz, K-12 educational activities, stories of hope, and an interactive map of the U.S. that illustrates the extent of poverty at state and county levels.

CHARLOTTE — Vincentian Father Joseph A. Elzi died peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019.

A priest for nearly seven decades, Father Elzi served at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Charlotte.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Oct. 31, 2019, at St. Vincent’s Elzi Seminary’s Vincentian Community Chapel, located at 500 East Chelten Ave. in Philadelphia. Interment followed at Princeton Abbey & Cemetery’s Congregation of the Mission Section in Princeton, N.J. A native of Jackson, Mich., he attended the Vincentian-run Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish while growing up and was inspired to join the Vincentians when he was 20 years old. He spent 45 years as a missionary in Panama before returning stateside to serve in Long Island, N.Y., followed by a year at St. Mary Church in Greensboro.

In 1998, he was assigned to what was then called the Hispanic Catholic Center in Charlotte, where he began serving the growing number of Latino Catholics in the area.

As parochial vicar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, serving alongside longtime pastor Vincentian Father Vincent Finnerty, Father Elzi helped lead its growth into what is today one of the Diocese of Charlotte’s largest parishes.

Thanks to his pastoral work and the ministry of many others, the Hispanic community in the diocese grew to encompass an increased number of Spanishlanguage Masses, adult and youth evangelization programs, Cursillo, and a broad group of experienced religious and lay leaders who developed diocesan Hispanic Ministry into what it is today.

Father Elzi remained in residence at the Charlotte parish after his retirement before returning in his later years to the Vincentian motherhouse in Philadelphia.

Condolences and memorial donations may be sent to St. Vincent’s Seminary, c/o Vincentian Father Gregory P. Cozzubbo, 500 E. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144.

— Catholic News Herald

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 8, 2019 OUR PARISHES

‘Lighting The Way for 25 Years’ MiraVia celebrates 25th annual banquet Oct. 24 SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — MiraVia celebrated a milestone anniversary at this year’s fundraising banquet “Lighting the Way for 25 Years.” A record number of more than 1,500 people attended the event Oct. 24 at the Charlotte Convention Center Crown Ballroom in support of this prolife ministry.

Bishop Peter Jugis was acknowledged at the banquet for his unfailing support of MiraVia over the past two decades.

He was presented a framed image of the Holy Family by former MiraVia directors Jeannie Wray and Cindy Brown, as well as current director, Debbie Capen.

MiraVia, which began as Room At The Inn in 1994, helps abortion-vulnerable women choose life and build independent, healthy lives for themselves and their children. MiraVia offers life skills classes, material assistance and moral support to the women who come to them for help – free of charge. Since its founding, MiraVia has helped 8,816 women and their children at its outreach facility in Charlotte.

Abby Johnson, whose pro-life journey is now documented in the bestselling book and movie “Unplanned,” served as keynote speaker at the 25th annual event. Johnson is a former manager of a Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Texas who left the abortion industry in 2009 after witnessing firsthand the brutal ending of the life of a child in the womb during an abortion.

Johnson, now a mother of eight, who herself had two abortions, now devotes her life to educating people about the tragedy of abortion and at the same time proclaiming the Gospel message of Jesus Christ – His mercy, forgiveness and healing.

She and her husband Doug converted to Catholicism in 2012.

“I was coming from such a broken, wounded place when it came to my faith,” she said during a pre-event interview.

“The more I learned about the Church, the more I realized that all of these questions I had my whole life – questions of faith that couldn’t be answered in the Baptist church I grew up in, or the non-denominational churches I had attended in college, or the Episcopal church I had attended – all of the questions kept being answered in the Catholic Church.”

She said this past year with the lead-up and release of the movie “Unplanned” has been a meaningful time for her. “It’s been affirming that I am walking in the will of God. I see Him doing these really mighty things through the film – people’s hearts being changed, babies being saved, and people coming to Christ because of what they

Celebrating the Lord of the Miracles Parishioners at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte and St. Mark Church in Huntersville recently celebrated the Lord of Miracles, a Peruvian devotion, with Mass and an outdoor procession featuring a replica of the famous icon of the Lord of Miracles (“Señor de los Milagros”), an image of the Crucifixion that is venerated in Lima, Peru. The image was painted in the 17th century by an unnamed African taken from what is now Angola to Peru as a slave.

Every October, Peruvians and others around the world commemorate an 18th century earthquake that devastated much of Lima but left the sacred image unscathed.

LISA GERACI AND AMY BURGER | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(At left, clockwise) The Daughters of the Virgin Mother, a religious community based in Gastonia, receive the Outstanding Service Award during the 25th Annual MiraVia Banquet Oct. 24.

Pro-life activist Abby Johnson delivers the keynote address.

Bishop Peter Jugis receives a framed image of the Holy Family from former MiraVia executive director, Jeannie Wray, in recognition of his support for the ministry.

PHOTOS BY SUEANN HOWELL AND DEACON RUBEN TAMAYO

are witnessing… It’s been a tremendous blessing to see that happen and to be a small part in God’s plan.”

During her keynote address, Johnson said the pro-life movement has to focus on conversion of hearts.

“I am standing in front of you today as a testament to the power of conversion. No one is beyond the power of conversion because no one is beyond the power of Jesus Christ,” she said. “That’s what this movement must be about. It must be about conversion of heart. Conversion for women who are scared, who are contemplating abortion, who are vulnerable. It cannot just be about just saving one baby. It must be about converting the heart of that mother.

Because that is what makes real cultural change; that is what brings about eternal change. It is conversion.”

“We must also work for the conversion for the fathers involved,” she added. “I believe one of the antidotes to abortion is fatherhood.”

At the end of her remarks Johnson encouraged everyone present, “I know we will see victory, because I know who wins in the end. But until that day we must fight with every fiber of our being. We must fight. We must act. We

must serve. We must provide. We must pray. Lives are literally depending on it.”

Debbie Capen, MiraVia’s executive director, then shared the good news of how donations to the outreach ministry helped women and children over the past year: Donors contributed more than 40,187 diapers, 1,256 bags of clothing and 4,798 pounds of food to MiraVia moms and their babies.

Capen also shared that in the past year, 14 mothers and their babies were served by MiraVia through its residential facility for college student mothers on the campus of Belmont Abbey College in Belmont.

The Daughters of the Virgin Mother, a religious community located in Gastonia, were recognized during the banquet for their tireless service to the mothers and children of MiraVia’s residential facility in Belmont.

Learn more At www.mira-via.org: Get more information about how to volunteer or donate to MiraVia

November 8, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

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In Brief Diocesan prison ministry coordinator named CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis has appointed Deacon James Witulski to the role of Prison Ministry Coordinator for the Diocese of Charlotte. In 2014, Deacon Witulski was appointed the Liaison for Catholic Jail Ministry-Mecklenburg County, where he developed a seasoned group of volunteers Witulski and personally ministered to those in need. He will continue these efforts and now make them part of his responsibility of Diocesan Prison Ministry Coordinator. Deacon Witulski also continues to serve at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Charlotte.

— Deacon John Martino

Igbo Mass set for November GREENSBORO — The next Igbolanguage Mass in the Diocese of Charlotte will be offered starting at noon Sunday, Nov. 24, at St. Mary’s Church, located at 812 Duke St. Igbo is the native language of many Nigerian Catholics. For details, call 336-707-3625.

Celebrating saints and praying for souls Children of Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City and St. Mary, Help of Christians Church in Shelby dressed up as saints last week to commemorate All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1. St. Ann Parish and the Charlotte Latin Mass Community marked All Souls’ Day with a Solemn High Latin Mass Nov. 2. Vested in black as a reminder of judgment, sin and to pray for the deceased in purgatory, St. Ann’s pastor, Father Timothy Reid offered the solemn Mass and was assisted by Deacons Peter Tonon and Tim Mueller. The next day, parishioners visited Belmont Abbey Cemetery and prayed for the faithful departed.

At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos from All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day commemorations across the Diocese of Charlotte PHOTOS BY GIULIANA POLINARI RILEY AND MARKUS KUNCORO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 8, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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In Brief

Bishop McGuinness girls soccer team sweeps 3 national awards KERNERSVILLE — For the fifth consecutive year, the Bishop McGuinness High School girls soccer team has received the U.S. Coaches’ Team Academic Award for the 2018-’19 academic year.

Bishop McGuinness was one of only seven North Carolina high school girls soccer teams honored from the 174 girls teams recognized nationally.

The Bishop McGuinness girls soccer team had a collective 4.07 grade-point average.

Additionally, senior tri-captain Caroline Coyte was honored by the U.S. Coaches as a High School Academic All-America. Coyte graduated last spring with a four-year 4.46 grade-point average, and is now a freshman at N.C. State University. She was a four-year starter and All-Conference player, and named All-Region three times. She was twice nominated for All-State. Coyte’s selection, one of only five from North Carolina, marked the second straight year a Bishop player has been named High School Academic All-America. Rachel Klinke, now a sophomore at N.C. State, was honored in 2017-’18.

The Villains finished the 2019 season with a 145-2 record and ranked seventh in the state among NCHSAA 1-A schools.

Not only were the Villains honored for academic achievement, they received the U.S. Soccer Coaches’ Ethics and Sportsmanship award for the third consecutive season. They earned the Gold Award last season, having received only one yellow card. They were one of only four North Carolina girls soccer teams to receive this award.

“We are very proud of the high standard our players have set,” said Bishop McGuinness girls soccer coach Ray Alley, “not only competitively on the field, but in the classroom. Being recognized for high academic achievement, high ethics and good sportsmanship is an admirable tradition for girls soccer at Bishop.”

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

Following the example of the saints HUNTERSVILLE — Students at St. Mark School celebrated All Saints Day last week with Mass offered by Father John Putnam, pastor, at St. Mark Church.

Each year all of the second-graders begin their sacramental year with a special project to learn about the saints. They research their saint, complete a research project, come dressed for Mass as their saint and then make a presentation in their classrooms. Father Putnam told the students, “When we get up in the morning and we make our morning offering or the first prayer that we say, we need to ask the Lord to help us and strengthen us. We don’t become saints by sitting on the sidelines. We don’t become saints by just letting things happen. We become saints by actively trying to follow Jesus in everything we say, and we allow the Lord’s teaching to be that which guides every aspect of our lives. We’re called to be saints every single day... whether we’re at home, whether we’re with friends, whether we’re on the football field... wherever we happen to be. Now we don’t have to be perfect. We all make mistakes. Thankfully, we have the example of the saints to show us the way.”

— Kimberly Knox

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ED JONES

SPX students pray living rosary GREENSBORO — Members of the St. Pius X School community celebrated a Living Rosary Oct. 18. Students across grade levels represented beads on the rosary, forming a human chain around the church. In turn, each led family members, parishioners and students in praying the rosary, and first-grade students presented the Blessed Mother with flowers. Organizers Kat Manzella and Sigrid Couch created beautiful banners representing the luminous mysteries.

— Antonette Aguilera

Celebrating the saints at OLM School WINSTON-SALEM — Kindergarteners at Our Lady of Mercy School – resplendent in their saintly garb – surround Father Carl Zdancewicz, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church, after a truly special All Saints Day Mass last week.

Mix

November 8, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In theaters

On TV n Friday, Nov. 8, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Teresa of the Andes.” A documentary on the life and mission of Juanita Fernández Solar, who became the first Chilean Saint: St. Teresa of the Andes. n Saturday, Nov. 9, 9:45 p.m. (EWTN) “November Song.” After witnessing an old woman pray by a gravestone, a young girl is challenged of her careless ignorance of faith, life and death. n Monday, Nov. 11, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Light that Never Fades.” A documentary that explores the Byzantine rite and worship in Eastern Churches that are in communion with Rome. n Wednesday, Nov. 13, 10 p.m. (EWTN) “Mother Cabrini and the Heart of Jesus.” An original docudrama on the life and missionary work of Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini and her profound devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

‘The Divine Plan’ This feature-length documentary examines the partnership between St. John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan that took shape after both survived assassination attempts and asks whether their collaboration in ending the Cold War and bringing about the fall of Soviet communism was accidental or providential.

Showcases interviews with church insiders, political authors and government officials and, although the poorly handled visual aspect of his film distracts from the fascinating information with which it’s filled, this is still a wonderful addition to the history of relations between the United States and the Catholic Church. Mature themes, some potentially disturbing historical images.

CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: Not rated.

‘By the Grace of God’ Hard-hitting fact-based drama about priestly sexual abuse. Decades after being molested

by Father Bernard Preynat (Bernard Verley) a group of survivors in Lyon, France, band together to bring him to justice and to compel the archbishop of that city, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin (Francois Marthouret), to reveal what he knew about Preynat’s evil deeds and when. The effort is initiated by a stillpracticing Catholic businessman, then joined by a combative atheist and by an emotionally ravaged lost soul. Writer-director uses an ensemble cast to give viewers a sense of the impact one serial predator can have and of the varied reactions to trauma that may result from his crimes. A challenging but subtly crafted piece of cinema. In French. Subtitles.

Mature themes, at least one use of profanity, considerable rough and crude language.

CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: Not rated.

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n Saturday, Nov. 16, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor of the Poor.” The story of St. Giuseppe Moscati, and the plight and struggles of the poor and homeless of Naples in the early 20th Century during a time of great inequality and poverty. Part 1. n Sunday, Nov. 17, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Thomas More vs. King Henry VIII.” St. Thomas More confides in Dr. Benjamin Wiker what he would’ve said to King Henry VIII had he been given the chance to explain his reason for opposing the King’s decision to make himself the head of the Church. Part 1 of 2. n Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1:30 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Francis Mirror of Christ: Instrument of God’s Peace.” Father Apostoli looks at St. Francis as the instrument of God’s Peace. Peace was the farewell gift that Jesus gave us.

n Thursday, Nov. 14, 5 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Vincent de Paul.” Bob and Penny Lord examine the life of St. Vincent de Paul and how his generous deeds continue today through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

n Thursday, Nov. 21, 10:30 p.m. (EWTN) “20th Anniversary of Living the Gospel of Life.” Janet Morana and Fr. Denis Wilde are joined by a variety of guests involved in the pro-life movement to discuss practical ways viewers can protect life during all stages of development.

n Saturday, Nov. 16, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “The Fourth Cup: Unveiling the Mystery of the Last Supper and the Cross Behold the Lamb.” Dr. Scott Hahn and Mike Aquilina explore Jesus’ identification as the sacrificial Lamb of God through specific passages mentioned in John’s account of the Gospel, Paul’s epistles, and in Revelation.

n Friday, Nov. 22, 1:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Speaking of Saints: Our Lady.” As Catholics, we believe that the Blessed Virgin is Queen of Heaven and Earth. Susan Conroy shows how many of the saints approached instead as a mother.

Mary is indeed our mother, wanting all the best for us until we are brought safely home to heaven. Part 1.

Other movies: n ‘Arctic Dogs’: CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: PG n ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R

Catholic Book Pick ‘Celebrating a Merry Catholic Christmas: A Guide to the Customs and Feast Days of Advent and Christmas’ by Rev. William P. Saunders, PhD “Celebrating a Merry Catholic Christmas is a treasure,” one that offers its riches year after year. It is a valuable resource for understanding and celebrating Advent and Christmas as a Catholic.

And, in addition to providing the historical roots of traditions such as the Advent wreath and Christmas tree, it also features spiritual reflections and suggestions. You’ll find all of the major feast days of Advent and Christmas along with devotions and traditions that will help your family get more out these important seasons.

Inside you’ll learn why candles are placed in windows, why poinsettias are used as a Christmas decoration, the origin of the Christmas tree, when Christmas actually ends, and more – so that you and yours can appreciate more fully the significance of these traditions and grow in love and honor of Christ.

At www.tanbooks.com: Order your copy of “Celebrating a Merry Catholic Christmas: A Guide to the Customs and Feast Days of Advent and Christmas” Catholic News Herald readers enjoy 20 percent off their order – use the exclusive coupon code “CNH20.”

Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of November: Rev. John P. Bradley - 2003 Abbot Oscar Burnett, OSB - 2017 Rev. John J. Hyland - 1975 Rev. Stanislaus W. Kobel - 2016 Rev. Msgr. John P. Manley - 1981 Rev. Bernard A. Manley Jr. - 2016 Rev. Charles T. Reese – 2017 Rev. Francis X. Reese - 2018 Rev. John S. Regan - 1976 Rev. Leonard E. Schellberg - 2014 Rev. Stephen A. Sullivan - 1989

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus www.kofcnc.org

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iiiNovember 8, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

FROM TH

‘We unite ourselves with Christ’s redemptive work when we reconcile, when we make peace, when we share the good news that God is in our lives, when we reflect to our brothers and sisters God’s healing, God’s forgiveness, God’s unconditional love.’

— Sister Thea Bowman

HE COVER

November 8, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

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CELEBRATING NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC HISTORY MONTH

Sister Thea Bowman encouraged others to stand up for their rights DAN STOCKMAN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sister Thea Bowman, a trailblazing African-American sister who was the first and only black nun in her religious congregation and the first black woman to address the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, continues to inspire members of her order and others she touched throughout her life.

The Mississippi native was a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. Her position in religious life allowed her to address racism in the Catholic Church at a time when the culture and traditions of African-American Catholics still were not widely accepted.

“Sister Thea always encouraged people to stand up for their rights and she continues to inspire,” Sister Eileen McKenzie, congregation president wrote in an emailed statement to the Global Sisters Report.

“As FSPA and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious pledge to unveil white privilege and purge the destructive effects of racism, we recognize Sister Thea’s cause to sainthood serves as a sign of the times. We believe she’d find hope that in this canonization process, there’s continued movement toward racial equity.”

The USCCB voted at its fall general assembly last November in Baltimore to advance Sister Bowman’s cause, opening the way for a diocesan commission to determine whether she lived a life of “extraordinary and heroic virtue.”

She was declared a “servant of God” in May 2018, when her home Diocese of Jackson, Miss.,

requested the bishops endorse opening her cause for sainthood. Jackson Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz read the edict opening the investigation and celebrated a special Mass Nov. 18, 2018.

Sister Bowman died of cancer March 30, 1990, at age 52.

Sister McKenzie said her congregation will follow the Jackson diocese’s lead as the process moves forward and that the community’s archives are open to commission officials.

There was a buzz in the motherhouse before and after the bishops’ vote, she said.

“We’re looking around with eyes wide, saying, where is this going?” Sister McKenzie told Global Sisters Report. “It’s a fascinating time, and we’re having lots of conversations about how providential this moment is.

She added that Sister Bowman in 1989 challenged the bishops on racism, and her message of reconciliation is still needed.

Born Bertha Bowman Dec. 29, 1937, in Yazoo City, Miss., she was the daughter of a doctor and a teacher. She attended Holy Child Jesus School in Canton, 38 miles from her birthplace, run by the religious congregation she eventually joined.

At age 8, she decided she wanted to become a Catholic and knew as a young teenager that she was called to consecrated life.

In the 1950s, she studied at Viterbo College in La Crosse, Wis., where the order is based, while preparing to enter the convent. She later studied at The Catholic University of America in Washington.

Renowned for her preaching, she took her message nationwide, speaking at 100 venues a

year until spreading cancer slowed her. Music was especially important to her. She would gather or bring a choir with her and often burst into song during her presentations.

In addition to her writings, her music resulted in two recordings, “Sister Thea: Songs of My People” and “’Round the Glory Manger: Christmas Spirituals.”

Sister Marla Lang professed vows with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in the same class as Sister Bowman.

She said entering religious life is jarring for anyone, and Sister Bowman had the additional pressure of being in an all-white congregation in an all-white city, not to mention the cultural – and weather-related – shock of moving to Wisconsin from the Deep South. But if Sister Bowman was troubled by her circumstances, Sister Lang said, she didn’t show it.

“She had her spirituals, the music that was so beautiful. Most of us had been living with little or no contact with anyone of African descent, but her voice was so beautiful, it was just a very rich experience,” Sister Lang said.

Sister Mary Ann Gschwind was Sister Bowman’s roommate during the summer of 1966 at CUA. Sister Gschwind is the Franciscan sisters’ archivist and has been sworn in as a member of the historical commission for the sainthood cause.

Even at CUA, Sister Bowman was unique. Sister Gschwind said African-American sisters were on campus, but they belonged to African-American RIGHTS, SEE PAGE 24

‘I try each day to see God’s will’ A self-proclaimed “’old folks’ child,” Thea Bowman was the only child born to middle-aged parents, Dr. Theon Bowman, a physician, and Mary Esther Bowman, a teacher. At birth she was given the name Bertha Elizabeth Bowman. She was born in 1937 and reared in Canton, Miss. As a child she converted to Catholicism through the inspiration of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, who were her teachers and pastors at Holy Child Jesus Church and School in Canton. These religious communities nurtured her faith and greatly influenced her religious vocation.

Growing up, Thea listened and learned from the wisdom of the “old folks,” the elders of her community. Ever precocious, she asked questions and gained insights on how her elders lived, thrived and survived. She learned from family members and those in her community coping mechanisms and survival skills. These skills proved essential as she navigated through the horrid experiences of blatant racism, segregation, inequality and the struggle for Civil Rights in her native Mississippi. At an early age, Thea was exposed to the richness of her African-American culture and spirituality, most especially the history, stories, songs, prayers, customs and traditions. Moreover, she was cognizant that God loved and provided for the poor and the oppressed.

Her community instructed her, “If you get, give – if you learn, teach.” These life lessons instilled in her an abiding love for God and to be charitable to toward those most in need.

For Thea Bowman, her conversion to Catholicism was rooted in what she witnessed: she was attracted to the Catholic Church by the example of how Catholics seemed to love and care for one another, most especially the poor and needy. For Thea, she was impressed by how Catholics put their faith into action. At the age of 15 she told her parents and friends she wanted

to join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and left the familiar Mississippi terrain to venture to the unfamiliar town of LaCrosse, Wis., where she would become the only AfricanAmerican member of her religious community.

At her religious profession, she was given the name “Sister Mary Thea” in honor of the Blessed Mother and her father Theon. Her name in religious life, Thea, literally means “God.” She was trained to become a teacher and taught at all grade levels, eventually earning her doctorate and becoming a college professor of English and linguistics.

The turbulent 1960s was a period of transformation for a nation torn by racial strife and division. The United States was confronted by the quest for justice and racial equality for all Americans. The late 1960s was also a time of transformation for Sister Thea Bowman: both a spiritual and cultural awakening. The liturgical renewal of the Second Vatican Council encouraged Sister Thea to rediscover her AfricanAmerican religious heritage and spirituality and to enter her beloved Church “fully functioning.”

She emphasized that cultural awareness had, as a prerequisite, intentional mutuality.

She was eager to learn from other cultures, but also wanted to share the abundance of her African-American culture and spirituality.

Indeed, Sister Thea became a highly acclaimed evangelizer, teacher, writer and singer, sharing the joy of the Gospel and her rich cultural heritage throughout the nation.

Spurred by the need to return home to Canton to care for her aging parents, in 1978, Sister Thea, with the blessing, approval and permission of her superior and religious community, accepted an appointment by Bishop Joseph Bernard Brunini to direct the Office of Intercultural Affairs for BOWMAN, SEE PAGE 24

Sister Thea Bowman is pictured at a Walsh University event held on Sept. 18, 1989.

Learn more

Prayer for Thea Bowman Ever loving God, who

by Your infinite goodness inflamed the heart of Your servant and religious, Sister Thea Bowman, with an ardent love for You and the People of God; a love expressed through her indomitable spirit, deep and abiding faith, dedicated teaching, exuberant singing, and unwavering witnessing of the joy of the Gospel.

Her prophetic witness continues to inspire us to share the Good News with those whom we encounter; most especially the poor, oppressed and marginalized.

May Sister Thea’s life and legacy compel us to walk together, to pray together, and to remain together as missionary disciples ushering in the new evangelization for the Church we love.

Gracious God, imbue us with the grace and perseverance that You gave Your servant, Sister Thea. For in turbulent times of racial injustice, she sought equity, peace and reconciliation. In times of intolerance and ignorance, she brought wisdom, awareness, unity and charity. In times of pain, sickness and suffering, she taught us how to live fully until called home to the land of promise. If it be Your Will, O God, glorify our beloved Sister Thea, by granting the favor I now request through her intercession (mention your request), so that all may know of her goodness and holiness and may imitate her love for You and Your Church. We ask this through Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

— Catholic Diocese of Jackson

At www.sistertheabowman.com: Learn more about Sister Thea Bowman, watch a video from her 1989 talk to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and find prayer and educational resources about her cause for canonization At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read more about the Church’s black Catholic saints, traditional black Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte, the roots of Black Catholic History Month and the diocesan African American Affairs Ministry

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF SISTER THEA BOWMAN CAUSE FOR CANONIZATION WEBSITE

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catholicnewsherald.com | Month xx, xxxx 14

Diácono Darío García

A Jesús por María

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a Consagración de la Familia o de cada persona al Inmaculado Corazón de la Virgen María es medio eficaz para la Consagración al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús.

Jesús le dio a San Juan, al pie de la Cruz, su más precioso tesoro: su Madre, la siempre Virgen María. Le dice: “Ahí tienes a tu Madre”. ¿Por qué Jesús hizo esto unos instantes antes de morir? Porque la amaba profundamente. Porque ese hijo, quien representaba a la Iglesia, la necesitaba para crecer en perfección cristiana y en la batalla contra el demonio, el mundo y la carne. ¿Qué hizo San Juan? “Desde aquel momento el discípulo la recibió en su casa”. En la intimidad de su corazón la hizo partícipe de toda su vida. ¿Qué debemos hacer, entonces, todos nosotros y nuestras familias? Lo mismo que hizo San Juan, acoger la Virgen Santísima en nuestras casas, en nuestros corazones. Reconocer la necesidad de que cada familia viva dentro del Corazón Inmaculado de María para así recibir la protección contra el demonio, el mundo y la carne que, Ella como Madre, quiere y puede ejercer.

“La victoria, será alcanzada por María.

Cristo vencerá por medio de Ella, porque Él quiere que las victorias de la Iglesia en el mundo contemporáneo y en el mundo del futuro estén unidas a Ella” (San Juan Pablo II, Cruzando el Umbral de la Esperanza). ¿Hacia dónde nos llevará el Corazón Inmaculado de María? Al Corazón de Jesús, su hijo, para vivir en una Comunión de Corazones. Nos introducirá y nos mantendrá en el estilo de vida que asegure que estemos caminando de acuerdo a los designios y voluntad del Corazón de Jesús. “Si me amáis, guardaréis mis mandamientos” (Juan 14: 15). Nos llevará a la Eucaristía, a los Sacramentos, al amor y obediencia a la Iglesia, a la reparación y expiación de nuestros pecados y los del mundo entero y a la perfección de la vida cristiana. Nos llevará a la unidad en el amor y hará de nuestra familia una escuela de amor.

La unión de los Corazones de Jesús y María, junto con la participación de San José, constituyó la Sagrada Familia. Una familia será santa si cada uno de sus miembros honran, contemplan, obedecen y sirven a los dos Corazones.

Para llegar a la Consagración se vive el retiro personal y familiar de los “33 días hacia un gloriosos amanecer”, rezando el Santo Rosario, meditando los Misterios de la Salvación, la vida y enseñanzas de cuatro santos marianos: San Luis María Grignion de Montfort, San Maximiliano María Kolbe, Santa Teresa de Calcuta y San Juan Pablo II. EL DIÁCONO DARÍO GARCÍA es coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Hickory.

Un numeroso grupo con más de cincuenta participantes presentó la delegación de la Diócesis de Charlotte en la reunión regional de evaluación del V Encuentro, convocada por el Instituto Pastoral del Sur Este (SEPI) en Atlanta durante el pasado mes de octubre.

FOTOS CORTESÍA SEPI

Esperanza y compromiso en reunión regional del V Encuentro CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE — Cerca de 500 delegados de las diócesis de Georgia, Carolina del Norte y Carolina del Sur, se reunieron el pasado sábado 19 de octubre en Atlanta para trabajar en las conclusiones del proceso del V Encuentro Nacional de Pastoral Hispana.

El grupo de representantes del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte fue el más numeroso con 55 delegados.

Según informó Eduardo Bernal, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Charlotte, durante la reunión se implementaron mesas de trabajo y discusión determinadas de acuerdo a las prioridades identificadas en el proceso del V Encuentro.

Los participantes pudieron sugerir procesos para luego llegar a acuerdos que determinaron líneas de trabajo y acción para enfrentar los retos y prioridades pastorales a las que se llegó al término del V Encuentro.

“Esta reunión ha sido un buen ejercicio de parte del SEPI (Instituto Pastoral del Sureste) para seguir pensando en cómo poder enfrentar los retos que nos señalan estas prioridades”, dijo Bernal, quien señaló que las tres principales líneas de trabajo, dentro de la Diócesis de Charlotte, son las pastorales juvenil, familiar y de formación.

En pastoral juvenil dijo que se ha dado un gran avance pues, a diferencia de otras diócesis, se cuenta ya con una persona dedicada exclusivamente a este trabajo (Ibis Centeno).

También subrayó el avance en formación laical, ya que -en español y a nivel diocesano- son 62 personas las que acceden a los cursos de formación.

“Nos falta trabajar en lo que se llama ‘solidaridad global’, un punto que aparentemente no es prioritario en nuestra

comunidad latina”, añadió.

Los 55 delegados de la diócesis se reunirán nuevamente el 18 de enero en Salisbury para compartir los avances logrados en sus respectivas parroquias.

El V Encuentro, que se llevó a cabo del 20 al 13 de septiembre de 2018 en Grapevine, Texas, se convocó el 9 de junio de 2013 en San Diego, CA, en el contexto de la Nueva Evangelización y enfatizó la importancia de involucrar a hispanos jóvenes, de segunda y tercera generación. El trabajo de planeamiento inició en 2014. Luego se desarrollaron etapas de formación, entrenamiento de equipos regionales, diocesanos y parroquiales, para finalmente llevar a cabo encuentros parroquiales, diocesanos y regionales, antes de elevar propuestas de trabajo a la reunión final del V Encuentro.

November 8, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Falleció el Padre José Elzi CHARLOTTE - El padre vicentino Joseph A. Elzi falleció el domingo 27 de octubre de 2019.

Sacerdote durante casi siete décadas, el Padre José sirvió en la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte.

El pasado 31 de octubre se celebró una misa de difunto en la Capilla de la Comunidad Vicentina del Seminario San Vicente, ubicada en 500 East Chelten Ave. en Filadelfia.

El entierro se realizó en la Abadía y Cementerio Princeton de la Sección de la Elzi Congregación de la Misión en Princeton, N.J. Nacido en Jackson, Michigan, asistió a la parroquia Virgen de la Medalla Milagrosa, dirigida por los vicentinos, donde recibió la inspiración para unirse a ellos cuando tenía 20 años.

Por 45 años sirvió como misionero en Panamá, antes de regresar a Estados Unidos para servir en Long Island, Nueva York, y luego un año en la Iglesia Santa María en Greensboro.

En 1998, fue asignado a lo que entonces se llamaba El Centro Católico Hispano en Charlotte, donde comenzó a servir al creciente número de católicos latinos en el área.

Como vicario de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, sirviendo junto al pastor vicentino Vincente Finnerty, el padre José ayudó a liderar su crecimiento en lo que hoy es una de las parroquias más grandes de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

Gracias a su trabajo pastoral y al ministerio de muchos otros, la comunidad hispana en la diócesis creció no solo en número sino también en mayores servicios de misas en español, programas de evangelización para adultos y jóvenes, cursillos y conformaron un amplio grupo de líderes religiosos y laicos con experiencia que ampliaron el Ministerio Hispano diocesano hasta lo que es hoy.

El padre Elzi permaneció en la residencia en la parroquia de Charlotte después de su retiro antes de regresar en sus últimos años a la casa madre vicentina en Filadelfia.

Las condolencias y las donaciones conmemorativas pueden enviarse al Seminario San Vicente, c/o Padre vicentino Gregory P. Cozzubbo, 500 E. Chelten Ave., Filadelfia, PA 19144.

— Catholic News Herald

Periodistas de medios de habla hispana en Estados Unidos fueron invitados por el Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior (IME) a participar en una jornada binacional en la Ciudad de México.

Los comunicadores establecieron redes de cooperación para servir de la mejor manera a la comunidad mexicana migrante en Estados Unidos.

FOTOS CORTESÍA IME

Catholic News Herald estuvo presente en jornada para periodistas en México CIUDAD DE MÉXICO — El Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior (IME) organizó los días 14 y 15 de octubre de 2019 la Jornada Binacional para periodistas de medios de habla hispana en Estados Unidos, quienes visitaron la Ciudad de México para llevar a cabo un acercamiento que promueva un mejor conocimiento del país azteca.

La convocatoria recibió una importante respuesta de periodistas provenientes tanto de medios de cobertura nacional como de la frontera y de las ciudades con mayor población mexicana.

En el grupo participaron representantes de medios como Telemundo, Univision, La Opinión, La Estrella, HPR, NPR y El Nuevo Herald, originarios de ciudades como Washington, D.C., Albuquerque, Boston, Caléxico, Charlotte, El Paso, Houston, Laredo, Los Ángeles, Madison, Miami, Portland, Tucson y Tulsa, entre otras.

Catholic News Herald, el único medio católico invitado, estuvo presente a través la participación de su especialista de comunicaciones hispanas, César Hurtado.

El grupo asistió a la conferencia matutina del presidente Andrés Manuel López Obrador, donde tuvo la oportunidad de presenciar la intervención del gabinete de Seguridad, a fin de conocer de primera mano la nueva dinámica de comunicación y transparencia que impulsa el gobierno mexicano. Al término de la reunión, los periodistas conversaron con el coordinador general de Comunicación Social y vocero del Gobierno de la República, Jesús Ramírez.

Posteriormente, el grupo se reunió con periodistas mexicanos para conversar sobre los retos que enfrentan de manera común, así como las oportunidades de colaboración en el

corto plazo.

En la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores, el grupo de comunicadores conoció los proyectos de bienestar y vinculación con la comunidad migrante que lleva adelante el IME con la red consular y sostuvo reuniones con altos funcionarios, incluyendo al subsecretario para América del Norte, Jesús Seade; Roberto Valdovinos, director general del IME; Roberto Velasco, director general de Comunicación Social; Julián Escutia, director general de Protección a Mexicanos en el Exterior; y Mario Chacón, director general para América del Norte. De parte de otras dependencias del gobierno federal, el grupo se reunió con la Secretaria de la Función Pública, Irma Eréndira Sandoval, así como con Ángel Villalobos, de la Secretaría de Economía.

En atención al interés de los periodistas que trabajan primordialmente con la comunidad mexicana en Estados Unidos, se realizaron

reuniones con organizaciones de la sociedad civil en México, particularmente con respecto al caso del movimiento de ciudadanos mexicanos repatriados. Finalmente, los comunicadores conocieron importantes expresiones culturales de México, tales como el Ballet Folklórico en el Palacio de Bellas Artes y visitaron el Museo de Memoria y Tolerancia.

César Hurtado, quien tiene a su cargo la sección en español de Catholic News Herald, dijo que la experiencia fue enriquecedora.

“Conocía bien la calidez, generosidad y sacrificio del migrante mexicano en Estados Unidos. Este contacto con su gobierno nos ha abierto las puertas para estrechar la colaboración con sus delegaciones consulares y servir de una mejor manera a la comunidad mexicana que nos bendice con su presencia en la Diócesis de Charlotte”, dijo.

— Redacción Catholic News Herald

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 8, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Apóstoles de la Palabra festejaron a Todos los Santos CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

Adelantando la fiesta de Todos los Santos, la familia misionera Apóstoles de la Palabra celebró la fecha con un concurso de representaciones de santos, cantos, la Santa Misa y un compartir entre hermanos misioneros, familiares, amigos y visitantes.

El evento tuvo lugar el pasado sábado 26 de octubre, en horas de la mañana, en la casa de las hermanas localizada en Mount Holly.

La hermana Julia Valencia Márquez, directora de la organización misionera, dijo que los santos son “el reflejo de la santidad de Dios” y ejemplo de que “sí se puede seguir las huellas de Nuestro Señor e imitar a Jesucristo”.

“Ser santo”, añadió, “no es aquel que se sabe la Biblia de memoria o se siente más valioso que otro hermano. Santo es precisamente la persona que busca hacer la voluntad de Dios todos los días, santo es la persona que le pregunta a Dios ¿cómo quieres que te sirva?, ¿cómo quieres que te ame?, ¿cómo quieres que haga tu voluntad? Y en el estado de vida que sea, el casado como casado, el soltero como soltero, el consagrado como consagrado”.

La tarea observó, “tiene su dificultad” porque se trata de renunciar “a lo que fácilmente nos puede gustar” y aceptar la voluntad de Dios, “lo que nos puede traer algunos sacrificios”,

pero “Dios da la gracia y eso nos basta, como le dijo el Señor a San Pablo”, recordó.

Ganadora del concurso de representación de santos resultó Sara Rodríguez, quien se caracterizó de Santa Catalina de Alejandría. La joven dijo haberse maravillado con la historia de esta santa que “de joven era muy vanidosa, vacía de corazón y por su belleza no creía que hubiera hombre que la mereciera”, hasta que gracias a un ermitaño consiguió conocer y amar a Dios. “Al igual que Santa Catalina, Dios es mi primer amor”, añadió la joven madre casada y con dos hijos, quien dijo que pudo acercarse a Dios en los retiros en los que participó. “Él es mi base, mi roca donde voy a desahogarme”, subrayó.

De otro lado, la hermana Valencia, quien cumplirá 40 años de servicio a la misión el próximo año, anunció que los Apóstoles de la Palabra celebrarán un encuentro regional en el que participarán hermanos residentes en los estados de Carolina del Norte, Carolina del Sur y Georgia, del 15 al 17 de noviembre, en la parroquia San Gabriel de Charlotte. En la cita, anotó, estudiarán la manera de brindar más y mejores servicios a las parroquias donde sirven.

Más online En www.facebook.com/ CNHEspañol: Vea más fotografías sobre la celebración

Se atrevieron a iniciar el camino a la santidad CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE — Con fe y desbordando alegría, decenas de jóvenes realizaron el retiro “Atrévete a ser santo” el pasado sábado 26 de octubre en la parroquia San John Neumann, al este de Charlotte.

Organizado por el grupo juvenil de esa iglesia, contó con el apoyo de la Pastoral Juvenil del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte, que aportó la logística del evento.

Ibis Centeno, titular de la recientemente creada pastoral juvenil, dijo que la iniciativa surgió a raíz del trabajo de un miembro del grupo de jóvenes adultos que participó como invitado en la reunión de la Pascua Juvenil realizada el año pasado en Tennessee.

“El libro de la Pascua de 2018-2019 se tituló ‘Joven, atrévete a ser santo’, y es porque estamos siempre unidos con el Santo Padre. Él habló mucho anteriormente sobre que no tienes que ser un mártir para ser santo y las cositas pequeñas, como el servirle a tu esposa, haciendo las cosas de la vida diaria, te llevan por el camino de la santidad. Y eso enamoró a los jóvenes que decidieron realizar el retiro aquí, en San John Neumann”.

Respecto a próximos eventos, la

Alegres y confiados en seguir el camino a la santidad, jóvenes de diversas parroquias se reunieron en la Iglesia San John Neumann, al este de Charlotte, para crecer en su fe y santificar sus vidas con hechos cotidianos y el servicio del día a día.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

coordinadora aseguró que espera la confirmación de una próxima fecha para la realización de un retiro de adviento e informará en su momento sobre el mismo.

“El grande que viene es sobre la Teología del Cuerpo, que se llevará a cabo del viernes 7 al domingo 9 de febrero en la parroquia Santa Teresa de Mooresville. El

siete será para todos los interesados, el sábado para los jóvenes adultos y el domingo para toda la familia”, precisó Centeno.

Si estás interesado en formar parte de un grupo juvenil católico, infórmate en tu parroquia o con el coordinador del ministerio hispano de tu vicaría.

También puedes contactar directamente a Ibis Centeno al correo icenteno@ charlottediocese.org.

Más online En www.facebook.com/CNHEspañol: Puedes ver fotografías sobre este retiro

November 8, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

17

Lecturas Diarias

Misión del Santo Rosario en San José NEWTON — La parroquia San José del Vicariato de Hickory tuvo una jornada dedicada al Santo Rosario el jueves 24 de este mes. Las familias hicieron una procesión, rezaron el Rosario y luego participaron en Consagraciones que concluyeron con la Santa Misa. Esta actividad de la Misión del Santo Rosario se realiza anualmente para cerrar con broche de oro el mes de octubre.

FOTO CORTESÍA DIÁCONO DARÍO GARCÍA

San Martín de Porras: “No hay gusto mayor que dar a los pobres” El pasado 3 de noviembre se celebró la fiesta de San Martín de Porras, el mulato “santo de la escoba” y patrono de los barberos, quien solía decir “yo te curo y Dios te sana” a los grandes señores y hombres sencillos que acudían en busca de su ayuda.

San Martín nació en Lima en 1579. Fue bautizado en la iglesia de San Sebastián, donde años más tarde Santa Rosa de Lima también lo fuera. Desde niño sintió predilección por los enfermos y los pobres.

Aprendió el oficio de barbero y algo de medicina. Las leyes de aquel entonces le impedían ser religioso por el color y por la raza, por lo que a los quince años pidió ser admitido como “donado”, es decir, como terciario, en el convento de los Dominicos.

En su servicio de enfermero no hacía diferencia entre pobres y los que más tenían, aunque tuvo que pasar por experiencias de incomprensión y envidia. En 1603 hizo su profesión religiosa.

Con ayuda de Dios, realizaba algunos milagros de curaciones instantáneas o en ocasiones bastaba su presencia para que el enfermo desahuciado empezara a

recuperarse. Hay quienes lo vieron entrar y salir de recintos con las puertas cerradas, mientras que otros aseguraron haberlo visto en dos lugares distintos a la misma vez.

Era tanto el cariño y admiración que le tenían al humilde Fray Martín que hasta el Virrey de aquel entonces fue a visitarlo en su lecho de muerte para besar su mano. Partió a la Casa del Padre un 3 de noviembre de 1639, besando el crucifijo con gran alegría.

San Martín es recordado con la escoba, que es símbolo de su humilde servicio y, a sus pies, un perro, pericote y gato, a quienes, cuenta la leyenda, convidó a comer de un mismo plato.

Su culto se ha extendido prodigiosamente.

Gregorio XVI lo declaró Beato en 1837. Fue canonizado por Juan XXIII en 1962. Recordaba el Papa, en la homilía de la canonización, las devociones en que se había distinguido el nuevo Santo: su profunda humildad que le hacía considerar a todos superiores a él, su celo apostólico, y sus continuos desvelos por atender a enfermos y necesitados, lo que le valió, por parte de todo el pueblo, el hermoso apelativo de “Martín de la caridad”.

— Condensado de ACIPRENSA

NOV. 10-16 Domingo: 2 Macabeos 7:1-2, 9-14, 2 Tesalonicenses 2:16-3:5, Lucas 20:27-38; Lunes (San Martín de Tours): Sabiduría 1:1-7, Lucas 17:1-6; Martes (San Josafat): Sabiduría 2:23-3:9, Lucas 17:7-10; Miércoles (San Francisco Xavier): Sabiduría 6:1-11, Lucas 17:11-19,; Jueves: Sabiduría 7:22-8:1, Lucas 17:20-25; Viernes (San Alberto el Grande): Sabiduría 13:1-9, Lucas 17:26-37; Sábado (Sta. Margarita de Escocia; Sta. Gertrudis): Sabiduría 18:14-16, 19:6-9, Lucas 18:1-8

NOV. 17-23

Domingo: Malaquías 3:19-20, 2 Tesalonicenses 3:7-12, Lucas 21:5-19; Lunes (Consagración de las Basílicas de San Pedro y San Pablo; Sta. Rosa Filipinas Duchesne): 1 Macabeos 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63, Lucas 18:35-43; Martes: 2 Macabeos 6:18-31, Lucas 19:110; Miércoles: 2 Macabeos 7:1, 20-31, Lucas 19:11-28; Jueves (La presentación de la Virgen María): 1 Macabeos 2:15-29, Lucas 19:41-44; Viernes (Sta. Cecilia): 1 Macabeos 4:36-37, 52-59, 1 Crónicas 29:10-12, Lucas 19:45-48; Sábado (San Clemente I, San Columbano, Beato Miguel Agustín Pro): 1 Macabeos 6:1-13, Lucas 20:27-40

NOV. 24-30

Domingo (Cristo Rey): 2 Samuel 5:1-3, Colosenses 1:12-20, Lucas 23:35-43; Lunes (Sta. Catherina de Alejandría): Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20, Daniel 3:52-56, Lucas 21:1-4; Martes: Daniel 2:31-45, Daniel 3:57-61, Lucas 21:5-11; Miércoles: Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28, Daniel 3:62-67, Lucas 21:12-19; Jueves (Día de Acción de Gracias): Daniel 6:12-28, Daniel 3:68-74, Lucas 21:20-28; Viernes: Daniel 7:2-14, Daniel 3:75-81, Lucas 21:29-33; Sábado (San Andrés): Romanos 10:9-18, Mateo 4:18-22

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Church urged to boost response to needs of clergy abuse survivors DENNIS SADOWSKI CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Chilean survivor of clergy sexual abuse pleaded for Catholic Church leaders to follow the example of a Wyoming bishop who continues to seek justice and answers for other survivors.

Juan Carlos Cruz expressed support for the work of Bishop Steven R. Biegler of Cheyenne, Wyo., during a panel discussion at Georgetown University Nov. 4, saying the prelate’s efforts to resolve questions surrounding a retired predecessor’s alleged abuse demonstrates that someone within the Church cares enough to raise up the needs of survivors.

“For so long, we have seen nobody doing anything,” Cruz said during the program sponsored by the university’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life.

Cruz and other survivors have led a decade-long effort to hold Chilean bishops and cardinals accountable for committing abuse or covering up reports of abuse. He and two other survivors were invited to the Vatican by Pope Francis in 2018 to discuss their experience.

After hearing their accounts, the pope reversed his blanket support of the Chilean Church hierarchy, offering an apology for the harms caused and assigning top Vatican officials to investigate reports of clergy abuse

and their subsequent cover-up in Chile.

Cruz, now a United States citizen, said he does not feel courageous for speaking out.

“But I feel this will help me heal,” he said.

In the round-robin discussion, Bishop Biegler explained how he decided to start a new investigation “to continue the factfinding” of previous abuse allegations against retired Bishop Joseph H. Hart after talking with lay leaders in the diocese soon after he was ordained and installed in Cheyenne in 2017.

“We really had widespread conversations.

Sometimes they informed me I should not do something, which was good advice.

At the end of the day, we came to this determination this case is a big problem. It’s neither settled for the bishop, the diocese nor the victims with any clarity. ... It was unsettled. It was a cloud,” he said.

The bishop cited the second paragraph of Pope Francis’ “motu proprio” – “Vos Estis Lux Mundi” (“You are the light of the world”) – as an important guide for bishops in their ministry. It calls for a “profound conversion of hearts” to prevent future abuse and cover-ups from occurring and stresses “we must continue to learn from the bitter lessons of the past, looking with hope towards the future.”

Acknowledging that the U.S. Church has “come a long way” in its response to abuse survivors, he said much more needs to be done to understand the “broken trust” that

widely remains and undertake steps to rebuild that trust.

“I would say the thing we need to work on is conversion,” he said.

During her opening remarks, Patricia McGuire, president of Trinity Washington University, urged Church leaders to better understand the “collateral damage” caused by the abuse crisis that has seen people – women in particular – question the actions of clergy in regard to children even when no abuse occurred.

Women, whom McGuire described as “the center of the Church,” have felt betrayed by clergy as the crisis has unfolded, she said, adding that such betrayal “is the worst collateral damage.”

McGuire invited Catholic clergy to welcome the voices of laypeople in parish life to address all endeavors of the Church, including developing a more thorough response to abuse.

In answer to questions by audience members, McGuire indicated the concerns they raised pointed to “the abuse of power” by Church leaders, whether it was in the commission of sexual abuse or the direction of Church ministries.

She urged laypeople to step up and bring their voices into the sanctuaries of Churches to accomplish the justice on behalf of all who have been abused or ignored in the Church.

“We are Church,” McGuire said. “One of

the things I think that we need to understand is that we have power. ... We need to be advocates for the healthy rules of life, the social justice teachings of the Church.

“And we need to be advocates for the Church that we want to be. Not the Church we have right now, which is broken, but the Church that we collectively as the people of the Church see in the future.”

As part of the program, the initiative released a report on its two-day gathering in June of more than 50 lay leaders to discuss lessons learned from the abuse crisis.

The report offered 10 “strategic directions” for the Church to follow: putting abuse survivors at the center of its response; addressing clericalism; holding leaders accountable and insisting on transparency; focusing on seminary formation; promoting and reflecting diversity in the Church; stressing the Gospel mission while building unity; welcoming new leaders; encouraging collaboration among ministries; building partnerships and stronger collaboration among clergy and laity; and being “both humble and bold.”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read the full report, “Lay Leadership for a Wounded Church and Divided Nation: Lessons, Directions and Paths Forward”

The Moral Basis for a Free Economy A Talk by Rev. Robert A. Sirico Is a capitalistic economy moral? Is the American culture rooted in realities of eternal significance? To build an authentically free and virtuous society is complicated and difficult.

Learn about the case for a free economy with the president of the Acton Institute, Rev. Robert A. Sirico.

Tuesday, November 12th at 8 p.m.

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Cuthbert Allen Lecture Series

November 8, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief W.Va. bishop seeks ‘amends for harm’ to Church by predecessor WHEELING, W.Va. — Bishop Mark E. Brennan of Wheeling-Charleston told Catholics in the statewide diocese he was working to have his predecessor “make amends for harm he caused during his tenure” as mandated by Pope Francis. The announcement regarding retired Bishop Michael J. Bransfield came in an Oct. 31 letter to West Virginia Catholics on letterhead from the bishop’s office. The brief letter expressed how Bishop Brennan was “dismayed by the continued revelations concerning former Bishop Michael Bransfield’s misdeeds, as confirmed by the penalties which the Holy Father has imposed on him” and detailed in media reports. When Pope Francis accepted Bishop Bransfield’s resignation Sept. 13, 2018, he left under a cloud of allegations of sexual and financial misconduct. Subsequent media reports during the last 13 months have detailed some of the alleged activity in detail. Pope Francis announced in July disciplinary actions for Bishop Bransfield, prohibiting him from living in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and from presiding or participating anywhere in any public celebration of the liturgy.

In related news, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in consultation with the members of the USCCB Administrative Committee, has taken the highly unusual step of disinviting Bishop Bransfield from the conference’s fall general assembly Nov. 11-13 in Baltimore.

The action comes under one section of the recently adopted “Protocol Regarding Available Non-Penal Restrictions on Bishops.” Bishop Brennan said he initiated the process under the protocol soon after he was installed Aug. 22 to head the West Virginia diocese, out of respect for the faithful of his diocese and to prevent any embarrassment to the USCCB if a bishop who is surrounded by serious allegations was welcomed to the fall assembly.

Biden denied Communion at Mass during stop in South Carolina FLORENCE, S.C. — Former Vice President Joe Biden attended the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Anthony Church Oct. 27 and when he presented himself to receive the Eucharist was refused by the pastor. “Sadly, this past Sunday, I had to refuse Holy Communion to former Vice President Joe Biden,” Father Robert Morey wrote in a statement responding to queries from the Florence Morning News. “Holy Communion signifies we are one with God, each other and the Church. Our actions should reflect that. Any public figure who advocates for abortion places himself or herself outside of Church teaching.”

At the heart of that teaching is Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law which states that Holy Communion should not be given to two groups of persons: those who are excommunicated or interdicted, and those “who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin.” After the incident with Biden was publicized, the Diocese of Wilmington, Del., issued a statement saying: “The Church’s teachings on the protection of human life from the moment of conception is clear and well-known.” It said Wilmington Bishop W. Francis Malooly has “consistently refrained from politicizing the Eucharist and will continue to do so. His preference, as with most bishops, is to interact with politicians individually who disagree with significant Church teachings.”

— Catholic News Service

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Celebrating Mass in catacombs, pope recalls all persecuted Christians CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ROME — In what he said was his first visit to the catacombs, Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the feast of All Souls with special words of remembrance for Catholics who still today must worship in secret.

The website of the Catacombs of Priscilla, used from the second to the fifth centuries, says, “because of the great number of martyrs buried within it, it was called ‘regina catacumbarum’ – the queen of the catacombs.”

In his homily at Mass Nov. 2 in the catacombs’ small chapel, Pope Francis said, “This is the first time in my life that I’ve entered a catacomb.”

Celebrating Mass in the underground burial chamber, Pope Francis said he naturally thought “of the life of those people who had to hide, who had this culture of burying their dead and celebrating the Eucharist inside here.”

“It was an ugly moment in history, but it has not been overcome,” the pope said. There are “many catacombs in other countries where people even have to pretend they are having a party or a birthday in order to celebrate the Eucharist because it is banned.”

“Still today Christians are persecuted – even more than in the first centuries,” he said.

Much of the pope’s homily was focused on the reading of the Beatitudes from St. Matthew’s Gospel.

The identity of the Christians who gathered at the Catacombs of Priscilla “to celebrate the Eucharist and praise the Lord is the same as our brothers and sisters in many, many countries where being a Christian is a crime,

it’s forbidden, they have no rights.”

That identity, the pope said, is spelled out in the Beatitudes: those who are poor in spirit, who mourn, who are meek, who hunger for righteousness, who are persecuted, who work for justice and peace.

“The Christian’s identity card is this: the Beatitudes,” the pope said. “There is no other.”

Belonging to some Catholic organization or movement is good, he said, but that does not come close to guaranteeing one is a Christian like the Beatitudes do.

“Your identity is this,” the pope said, pointing to the open Book of the Gospels. “If you don’t have this, belonging to a movement or something else is useless.”

The other Gospel passage that clearly states the essentials for measuring a Christian life, he said, is Matthew 25. In that passage Jesus says that when one gives food to the hungry, welcomes a stranger, feeds the naked, cares for the sick and visits prisoners they do the same for Him. With these two passages from the Gospel, the pope said, people demonstrate they are Christians. “Without this, there is no identity, there’s the fiction of being Christians,” but it is simply for show.

The faith of persecuted Christians and martyrs, he said, makes clear that Christians find their place, their security and their salvation only in the Lord’s hands.

The risen Jesus “wanted to keep His wounds to show the Father and intercede for us,” he said. “In the hands of God – that’s where we are secure, whatever happens, even the cross.”

“Today we can ask ourselves, ‘Where do I feel safest?’

CNS | VATICAN MEDIA

Pope Francis walks through the Catacombs of Priscilla where he celebrated Mass in Rome Nov. 2, 2019, the feast of All Souls.

In the hands of God or with other things, with things we ‘rent,’ but which will crumble in the end?”

Christians who lived according to the Beatitudes and cared for their brothers and sisters “lived and will live in God’s hands,” Pope Francis said.

All of life should be journey toward God, pope says at memorial Mass CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — Jesus invites everyone to always go to Him, which, Pope Francis said, also means no longer making life revolve around oneself.

“What direction is my journey going? Do I only try to make a good impression, to protect my position, my time and my space or do I go to the Lord?” he asked during a memorial Mass for the 13 cardinals and 147 bishops who died over the preceding year.

Celebrating Mass Nov. 4 in St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope reflected in his homily on God’s will that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life and be raised on their last day.

In the day’s Gospel reading, Jesus says, “I will not reject anyone who comes to Me.”

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail) O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request).

There are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times).

Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times).

3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory Be Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days. You must publish it, and it will be granted to you.

Thank you, K.B.

Jesus extends this invitation – “Come to Me,” so people may be “inoculated against death, against the fear that everything ends,” the pope said.

Going to Jesus means living each moment of the day in ways that put Him at the center – with one’s thoughts, one’s prayers and one’s actions, particularly by helping someone in need.

He said people must ask themselves, “Do I live going to the Lord or do I revolve around myself,” only being happy when things go well for oneself and complaining when they do not.

“You cannot belong to Jesus and revolve around yourself. Whoever belongs to Jesus lives going outward toward Him,” he said.

“Today, while we pray for our brother cardinals and bishops who have left this life to go encounter the Risen One, we cannot

St. Jude Novena May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us, St. Jude, help of the hopeless, pray for us.

Say this prayer 9 times a day. By the ninth day your prayers will be answered.

It has never been known to fail.

Publication must be promised. R.G.

forget the most important and difficult way out, which gives meaning to all the others, is (going out) of ourselves,” he said.

The bridge between life on earth and eternal life in heaven, he said, is to show compassion and “to kneel before those in need to serve them.”

“It is not (having) a bleeding heart, it is not cheap charity; these are questions of life, matters of resurrection,” he said.

It would do people well, he added, to

think about what the Lord will see in them on judgment day.

People can find guidance when making an important decision in life by seeing things from the Lord’s perspective – what fruits resulted from which seeds or choices made today.

“Among the many voices of the world that make us lose the meaning of existence, let us tune in to the will of Jesus, resurrected and alive.”

St. Jude Novena May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us, St. Jude, help of the hopeless, pray for us.

Say this prayer 9 times a day. By the ninth day your prayers will be answered. It has never been known to fail.

Publication must be promised. D.C. CNS | VATICAN MEDIA

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in memory of cardinals and bishops who died in the past year. The Mass was Nov. 4, 2019, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

November 8, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief Pope adds feast of Our Lady of Loreto to universal calendar VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has approved adding the Dec. 10 feast of Our Lady of Loreto to all calendars and liturgical books for the celebration of the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. Putting the celebration of the feast day on the universal calendar “will help all people, especially families, youth and religious to imitate the virtues of the perfect disciple of the Gospel, the Virgin Mother, who, in conceiving the head of the Church also accepted us as her own,” the decree said. The decree, dated Oct. 7, feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, was published Oct. 31 by the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. According to tradition, the Holy House of Loreto was carried by angels from Nazareth to the Italian hillside town of Loreto the night of Dec. 9-10 in 1294 after making a threeyear stop in Croatia. Tradition holds that the small house, made of three stone walls, is the place where Mary was born, where she was visited by an angel and conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit, and where the Holy Family later lived.

If Church does not evangelize, it will decay, pope says VATICAN CITY — The Church must follow Jesus’ command to preach the Gospel to every person, otherwise it will not fulfill its mission of bearing witness to Christ, Pope Francis said.

In an excerpt of a new book-length interview

published Nov. 4 by Fides, news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the pope said the phrase he uses – “a Church on the move” – is not meant to be a “fashionable expression” but a summary of the Church’s mission. “The Church is either on the move or she is not (the) Church. Either she evangelizes or she is not (the) Church. If the Church is not on the move, she decays, she becomes something else,” he said. The book, titled “Without Him, We Can Do Nothing: a Conversation About Being Missionaries in Today’s World,” will be released in Italian bookstores Nov. 5. It was written by Gianni Valente, a journalist for Fides.

Jewish, Christian, Muslim leaders sign declaration against euthanasia VATICAN CITY — Representatives from the Catholic and Orthodox Churches and the Muslim and Jewish faiths signed a joint declaration at the Vatican reaffirming each religion’s clear opposition to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. They also encouraged promoting palliative care so that dying patients could receive the best, most comprehensive physical, emotional, social, religious and spiritual care and appropriate support for their families, according to the joint statement. Pope Francis met Oct. 28 with the signatories, who presented him with a copy of the declaration they signed a few hours earlier at a Vatican ceremony. The signatories included representatives from the Vatican, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia, Muslim and Jewish scholars and leaders. The declaration, titled, “Position paper of the Abrahamic monotheistic religions on matters concerning the end of life,” was prepared by the Pontifical Academy for Life and released Oct. 28. Because of wide debate and discussion in society concerning end-of-life issues and policies, the aim of the joint statement was to clearly

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present the positions of the monotheistic faiths concerning “the values and practices relevant to the dying patient,” their families, health-care providers and policy makers who belong to one of these religions, it said.

Synod calls for more Church roles for women, but stops short of diaconate VATICAN CITY — Members of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon asked that women be given leadership roles in the Church, although they stopped short of calling for women deacons.

In the Amazon, like in the rest of the world, the essential roles women play within the family, the community and the Church should be valued and recognized officially, members of the synod said in their final document. The document, which synod members voted on Oct. 26, included a call for the creation of “the instituted ministry of ‘woman community leader,’” something they said would help meet “the changing demands of evangelization and community care.” Speaking after the vote on the document, Pope Francis said the synod’s discussion on women “falls short” of explaining who women are in the Church, particularly “in the transmission of faith, in the preservation of culture. I would just like to underline this: that we have not yet realized what women mean in the Church,” but instead “we focus on the functional aspect, which is important,” but is not everything. Synod members also asked Pope Francis to revise St. Paul VI’s 1972 document on ministries, “Ministeria Quaedam” (“Some Ministries”), so that women could be installed formally as lectors and acolytes and in any new ministries to be developed.

To proclaim the Gospel message of hope, the Church in the Amazon must open new paths of evangelization in the region, including by instituting new ministries for lay men and women, the Synod of Bishops said. The final document of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon looked

at ways the Church can increase its ministry in the region, including by ordaining married men.

But at the heart of the document was the need to bring the good news to the Amazon, a mission that includes safeguarding the indigenous people, cultures and land that are under constant threat of annihilation. “The Amazon rainforest is a ‘biological heart’ for the increasingly threatened earth,” said the final document.

The synod brought together 185 voting members – cardinals, bishops, 20 priests and one religious brother – and 80 experts and observers to discuss “new paths for the Church and for an integral ecology.” All 120 paragraphs in the final document garnered the necessary two-thirds approval needed for passage. The Vatican said 181 synod members were present, so each paragraph needed 120 votes to pass.

Vatican’s U.N. rep pushes for elimination of nuclear weapons UNITED NATIONS — Expressing concern that arms control treaties are “abrogated and flouted,” the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations called on global leaders to work to rid the world of nuclear weapons. In addresses to two U.N. committees, Archbishop Bernardito Auza said nations must step up to prevent a new nuclear arms race from emerging and work to reduce growing threats to peace.

“Member states should spare no effort to reverse the current downward spiral of arms control and disarmament policies and dedicate themselves to elaborating new mechanisms of arms reduction leading to the elimination of nuclear weapons and general and complete disarmament,” Archbishop Auza said Oct. 22. The permanent observer’s concerns focused on the human consequences of nuclear war and urged all nations to ratify and implement the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons passed by the U.N. in 2017.

— Catholic News Service

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 8, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Rachel Bulman

Dr. Kamila Valenta

Marking 30 years of freedom

Discernment is not about choice

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was recently asked to give a talk to a group of seminarians and other young men discerning the priesthood about St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Rules of Discernment.

As I prepared, the theme of the talk began to unfold – true discernment has been reduced to choosing amongst a plethora of options when in Ignatian practice it’s not about choosing at all. Instead, discernment is about discerning between what is of God and what is not – avoiding what is evil and embracing what is good. When discernment is reduced to choosing, the pressures of making the choice often paralyze people into making no choice at all.

To put it another way, discernment should be about knowing your heart so well that you know when something is not as it should be. It’s like your favorite space, maybe your bedside table or your desk, or in this technological age, your phone screen or computer desktop. When something is moved or missing, you know it. If your favorite book or pen has been moved or the email app or desktop shortcut is gone, you know it and you fix it. Then you put things as they should be.

Your heart should be the same way.

Another problem with making discernment all about choice of goods or acts is that we then equate freedom with choice when authentic freedom is only about choosing Goodness Himself. As St. John Paul II says, freedom lies in choosing what you ought. You also run into the occasional choice between two goods – especially in vocations. The choice between the married or celibate religious life is not a choice between good or bad. It is a choice between two goods according to what God has given as the greatest freedom particularly for you.

Discernment is also a journey and not a destination. When discernment is reduced to choice, the choice becomes our goal or our destination. The destination cannot be anything other than eternity with God. Many people think that once they’ve discerned this choice, everything will be right. In other words, no more suffering. This will make everything fall into place. Suffering is part of the journey. In fact, it is part of discernment and a life with God is not void of it.

Your vocation cannot be your destination.

Your career cannot be your destination.

Having children cannot be the destination.

Getting married, writing a book, starting a ministry, reconciling with someone that has become estranged, landing your dream job…these things cannot be destinations.

In other words, these things cannot be the source of happiness.

In this way, discernment never really ends. You may discern this to be of God and pursue it. It requires knowing your heart, distinguishing whether the good spirit or bad spirit is at work, and then taking action. We have to realize that taking action does not change our destination. There are wrong turns or pit stops along the way but those delays do not

change our destination in and of itself.

And therein lies another problem: our issue with waiting. Wrong turns and pit stops might mean that you arrive at the destination later than you planned or with a few more bumps and bruises from the trials of the journey. We want what we want and we want it right now. There has to be joy in the waiting. All of the waiting aids us in the journey, making it richer, making it more worthwhile, making the destination all the more beautiful. But when we stick to the waiting without any real destination, paralyzed into false choice without real discernment, it makes the waiting burdensome.

There is a remedy to the false reduction of discernment. I think it’s a threefold approach.

First, practicing silence. There is absolutely no way for a person to understand the state of their heart if silence is not a part of their lives. I recently helped to facilitate a silent retreat for women, and the first night, I invited them to embrace the silence. We fill it with common day-to-day noise – music, podcasts, television, etc. – but even when silence is offered, we fill it with activity. When is the last time that you sat in total silence? The posture of the human person is necessarily receptive and true receptivity lies in silence.

Second, practicing interior reflection.

We are surrounded with trigger warnings and blame games and so many reasons to be “offended.” Our reactions are often exterior and never, ever interior. Interior reflection means that we must grow accustomed to looking inward before ever looking outward. Even the act of receiving Jesus in the Eucharist or receiving absolution in reconciliation requires interior reflection. How can we make room to receive if we don’t know what lies inside, what needs to be removed to make way for what actually belongs there?

Lastly, we must reclaim authentic freedom. It is a natural reduction of discernment to choice when we think that we are not free if we have no choice.

It’s all around us – “This is my choice!”, “This should be my choice!”, “I have the right to choose!”. In fact, the only choice is to choose freedom and true, authentic freedom is to choose what you were made for, to choose that you are loved.

This journey is all about transitioning from this life to death because the Christian is aware as Socrates said to Callicles, “Listen to me and follow me to the place where you will be more happy in life and in death.”

Death can only be elevated to such a state when we realize that the destination is really eternal life. Discernment doesn’t lie in choice at all, but instead in distinguishing the way of this journey in a life that has already begun to surrender before the body finally does. The only choice is God. RACHEL BULMAN is a wife, mother of four, speaker and blogger. Find more of her work at www.rachelbulman.com.

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hirty years ago, on Nov. 9, 1989, at a 7 p.m. press conference, the leader of the East German Communist party misread a note about a new travel policy, making a slightly incorrect statement that the border between East and West Berlin was now open. As media on both sides of the Iron Curtain picked up the news, residents of all sectors of Berlin started streaming towards the Berlin Wall by the hundreds, then thousands.

Confused patrol guards, having received mixed radio instructions, first tried to stop the trespassers, but then succumbed to the size of the crowd and opened the border. That night, several more unofficial crossings were spontaneously created, young people on both sides climbed on top of the wall, bottles of champagne and vodka were opened, and with tears of joy friends and relatives who had not been able to see each other for decades finally embraced. The wall that served not only as a physical barrier, but as an iconic monument of the division between democracy and Communism and claimed more than a hundred lives of those attempting to cross, finally crumbled.

For some countries, the fall of the Berlin Wall was a culmination of a democratic process that was well underway; for others it was a catalyst that led to the dawn of their own liberation a few weeks or months later.

The beginning of the fall of Communism can be traced to the policies of Mikhail Gorbachev, who assumed the Soviet leadership in 1985. His pursuit of détente in relationship towards the United States as well as political openness and economic restructuring created in the satellite countries an atmosphere of hope that attempts at liberalization would no longer be crushed by the tanks of the Warsaw Pact as had happened to the Hungarians in 1956 and the Czechs and Slovaks in 1968.

However, the actual onset of these historical changes came from spontaneous student-led protests, grassroots movements, and previously suppressed dissident organizations such as the Polish Solidarity, the Hungarian Democratic Opposition, and the Czech and Slovak Charter 77. Encouragement and support from Pope John Paul II was also crucial, especially for his native Poland, which was the first country to democratize. His famous words, “Do not be afraid,” echoed in the hearts of millions of oppressed people gathered peacefully in public squares throughout Communist Europe, giving them courage in an uncertain time.

The spirit of freedom, courage, hope and peaceful defiance made visible and audible by the crowds of chanting, cheering and singing protesters calling for freedom shook the foundations of totalitarian regimes. One by one, the Communist governments of Eastern Europe collapsed. With the unfortunate exception of Romania, whose liberation

process included heavy casualties, the democratization of Eastern Europe happened mostly peacefully. Thanks to the elites in charge and the crucial role of notable peacemakers including Vaclav Havel, Lech Walesa and others, these transformative events became rightly enshrined in history as “Peaceful,” “Velvet” and “Singing” revolutions.

The effects of Communist liberation were apparent immediately. Political prisoners were freed, the unjustly accused and convicted were rehabilitated, confiscated properties were restored, new constitutions were drafted, borders were opened to free travel, new political parties and movements were formed, and the following year several post-Communist countries held free elections for the first time in decades. For those living under the more religiously oppressive regimes, the Christmas of 1989 will always be remembered as the first one celebrated without fear and police intervention.

As the process of democratization in Europe continued, more and more countries were able to attain complete freedom, including even those that were previously fully incorporated into the Soviet Union and experienced a near obliteration during the Stalinist rule, such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine, leading to the eventual disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The subsequent process of political, economic and social transformation was not easy and required many hardships, especially for the countries that succumbed to the horrors of ethnic conflicts, such as former Yugoslavia and Chechnya. Other countries have struggled to varying degrees with political corruption, instability, economic hardship and, more recently, with the rise of populist and extremist movements.

The relationship between the Church and society also bears the scars of Communism. One the one hand, countries such as Poland and Hungary, where the Catholic Church was able to thrive even under Communist rule, are now struggling to detangle their Christian faith from extreme forms of nationalism and populism. On the other hand, because of more severe suppression, countries such as Estonia and the Czech Republic have become so detached from their Christian heritage that they now rank among the world’s most atheist societies.

However, despite many setbacks and remaining challenges, the political events of 30 years ago remain pivotal in modern history, defining the beginning of a new political era. Most importantly, they gave millions of people trapped behind the Iron Curtain the chance to be free.

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 and terrorism.

November 8, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Jesuit Father John Michalowski

What is most important to you?

W

hat is most important? What is worth living for? What is most worthy of our time and energy? These are among the questions that God poses to us throughout our lives.

When Jesus and the Twelve show up at the house of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, Martha bustles about to show them hospitality. For her, the important thing was to be the gracious host. Not only did she want to see that they had something to eat, but she wanted to put on a feast if she could. Is it any wonder that she complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping her? But Jesus responded to her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.

Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

For Jesus, the Gospel is more important than an impressive table. Food for the heart and mind will last long after a good meal has passed away. Will Martha stop and accept food for the spirit, or will she still be anxious about bodily food and drink? Will she realize that Jesus will still love her, even if her table is meager?

PBS commentator and New York Times columnist David Brooks recently wrote a book, “The Second Mountain.” He writes about how much of his life was dedicated to climbing the first mountain, the mountain of worldly success. It was all about him and meeting the goals that American society set for him. Success will make you happy.

Success means acknowledgment, money and pride. But in the process of climbing that mountain, his marriage of over 20 years fell apart, their three children moved on to adulthood, and he was left lonely and over-worked. He now realizes that his goals were egocentric – selfish – and that he had missed what was most important: relationship, family, faithfulness and love.

Raised as a secular Jew and agnostic, he is now attracted to Christ and is rediscovering the faith of his ancestors.

It is not about I, but about we. Living in relationship is where happiness lies. This is why God covenanted with His people and why Jesus calls us to “love one another as I have loved you.”

But a society can be just as egocentric, just as closed to the importance of relationship and love, as an individual can. Racism, the denigration of the poor, the discounting of the unborn, the recurring demonizing of the each group of immigrants and refugees – all are rejections of Jesus’ call to love

our neighbor as ourselves. All lead to unhappiness, to a turning inward.

This is the lesson of the Book of Jonah, that wonderful short story that teaches a lesson, not just to the Jews of the fifth century, but to people of every time and place who are caught up in the rejection of other groups.

Jonah was a prophet who knew that God is forgiving to those who turn from their evil ways and repent. When God asked him to go to Nineveh to tell the people there that God was going to destroy them for their sins, he took a boat heading west – instead of eastward to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrians. Like most fifthcentury Israelites, he hated the Assyrians for destroying the northern kingdom of Israel in 721 and sacking many cities in the southern kingdom of Judah some 20 years later. People’s hatred can last a long time.

When God finally got Jonah to the shore of Nineveh with the help of a large fish, Jonah carried out the warning: “‘Forty days more and Nineveh will be destroyed.’ …

The people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.” (Jonah 3:4-5).

“When God saw by their actions how they had turned from their evil way, He repented of the evil that he has threatened to do to them; He did not carry it out” (3:10). In the end, Jonah was angry with God for forgiving them. He could not let go of his people’s hatred. But God told him, “Should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left, not to mention the many cattle?” (4:11).

In other words, God has compassion for all people – even those who find it hard to know what is right and what is wrong.

He calls all to repentance – Ninevite and Israelite – and to come to know that there is a God who loves all people and calls us all to repentance. To put it in Jesus’ terms: “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Rejoice when they repent and come to know the true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.

What is most important is not worldly success, or old grudges, or even a gracious table. What is most important is to learn to love as God loves. That relationship alone will bring us the peace and the happiness that the world cannot give.

JESUIT FATHER John Michalowski is parochial vicar of St. Peter Church in Charlotte.

Diocese of Charlotte

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DIOCESAN REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING MINISTRY-RELATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR 1. Any individual having actual knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect an incident of ministry-related sexual abuse is to immediately report the incident to the Chancery.

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2. The Chancery will then report the incident to the proper civil authorities. The individual reporting the incident to the Chancery will be notified of the particulars regarding the Chancery’s filing of the incident with civil authorities.

3. This reporting requirement is not intended to supersede the right of an individual to make a report to civil authorities, but is to ensure proper, complete and timely reporting.

Should an individual choose to make a report to civil authorities, a report is still to be made to the Chancery.

The charter can be found on the diocesan website, Charlottediocese.org, click on the tab, “Safe Environment.”

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 8, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

RIGHTS FROM PAGE 13

congregations. Because the sisters still wore traditional habits, it was easy to see that Sister Bowman was from a white congregation.

“It took a lot of nerve for her to join our community,” Sister Gschwind said. “I don’t think I could have done it if the situation were reversed.”

The investigation into Bowman’s life will have no shortage of material to examine.

The congregation’s archives contain three file drawers of Sister Bowman’s speeches – most of which she wrote on scrap paper to avoid waste – and 20 bankers boxes of documents.

Dan Johnson-Wilmot was Sister Bowman’s colleague at Viterbo in the 1970s, where he was a music department professor and she taught English and studied voice.

“Anyone who went to her presentations, I don’t think she ever had one where she didn’t sing,” Johnson-Wilmot said. “She

BOWMAN FROM PAGE 13

the Diocese of Jackson. In this position Sister Thea continued to assail racial prejudice and promote cultural awareness and sensitivity. She was a founding faculty member of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans. With the full support of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Sister Thea remained a member in good standing in her religious community.

In 1984, Sister Thea faced devastating challenges: both her parents died, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her friends and students encouraged her to choose life. Sister Thea vowed to “live until I die” and continued her rigorous schedule of speaking engagements. Even when it became increasingly painful and difficult to travel as the cancer metastasized to her bones, she was undeterred from witnessing and sharing her boundless love for God and the joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Donned in her customary African garb, Sister Thea would arrive in a wheelchair with no hair (due to the chemotherapy

had an uncanny gift. It didn’t matter who was there, she could weave a song into just about any kind of presentation she was giving, and people were just struck when she began singing because it was always from her heart and soul.”

Johnson-Wilmot said the two became fast friends after an incident that started out ugly but became just another sign of how Sister Bowman could unite people.

Several African-American students from Canton, Miss., at Viterbo formed the core of Hallelujah Singers, a gospel choir Sister Bowman established. The choral group Johnson-Wilmot directed was invited to sing at a local function, but learned an earlier invitation to the Hallelujah Singers had been withdrawn when organizers learned the singers were AfricanAmerican.

Johnson-Wilmot said he called the organizers and said his group wouldn’t sing unless both groups were invited. In the end, he said, both groups sang and the event was a success.

Sister Charlene Smith of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration was Sister Bowman’s friend for 35 years and

treatments) but always with her a joyful disposition and pleasant smile. She did not let her wheelchair, or the deterioration of her body keep her from one unprecedented event – an opportunity to address the U.S. bishops at their annual June meeting in 1989 at Seton Hall University in East Orange, N.J. Sister Thea spoke to the bishops as a sister having a “heart to heart” conversation with her brothers.

This well-crafted, yet at times quite spontaneous, message spoke of the Church as her “home,” as her “family of families” and as her trying to find her way “home.”

She explained what it meant to be AfricanAmerican and Catholic. She enlightened the bishops on African-American history and spirituality. Sister Thea urged the bishops to continue to evangelize the African-American community, to promote inclusivity and full participation of African-Americans within Church leadership, and to understand the necessity and value of Catholic schools in the African-American community. And when she was through she invited the bishops to move together, cross arms and sing with her the spiritual “We Shall Overcome.”

She touched the hearts of the bishops, as evidenced by their thunderous applause

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail)

BROKER

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O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother.

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request).

There are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times).

Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times).

3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory Be Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days.

You must publish it, and it will be granted to you.

Thank you, R.G.

K OF C HOLY SPIRIT COUNCIL # 10389

is treasurer of the Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation. She also co-wrote the book “Thea’s Song.”

She said Sister Bowman’s parents worried about her joining an all-white religious order in the North.

“Her dad said, ‘They’re not going to like you up there.’ She said, ‘I’ll make them like me,’” Sister Smith recalled. “She spread joy even during her struggle with cancer. She was always spreading joy and happiness through her songs and her wisdom.”

In 1989, Sister Bowman returned to La Crosse for a symposium, but was so sick that Sister Smith was certain she would be unable to speak at the event. “They rolled her out in her wheelchair and she absolutely electrified the whole audience there,” Sister Smith said.

When Sister Bowman spoke to the U.S. bishops in June 1989, less than a year before her death from bone cancer, she was blunt. She told the bishops that people had told her black expressions of music and worship were “un-Catholic.”

She began by singing “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” a rebuke to the shepherds of a Church that often neglects

its members of color. “Can you hear me, Church?” she asked. “Will you help me?

Jesus told me the Church is my home.”

Sister Bowman pointed out that the universal Church includes people of all races and cultures and she challenged the bishops to find ways to consult those of other cultures when making decisions.

She told them they were obligated to better understand and integrate not just black Catholics, but people of all cultural backgrounds.

Catholic News Service reported that her remarks “brought tears to the eyes of many bishops and observers.” She also sang to them and, at the end, had them all link hands and join her in singing “We Shall Overcome.” They gave her a rousing ovation.

Sister Gschwind said her friend’s challenge of the bishops and having them embrace her in response is known to many in the community as “her first miracle.”

Sister Smith noted that Sister Bowman must be “getting a big kick” out of the canonization process.

“She said, ‘I just always try to let my little light shine,’” Smith said. “And she did.”

CNS | MAUREEN SMITH, MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC

Mary Woodward, diocesan chancellor in Jackson, Miss., displays the edict for the canonization cause of Sister Thea Bowman Nov. 18, 2018, at Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. Jackson Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, at left, read the edict at the start of the Mass. and tears flowing from their eyes.

When asked by her dear friend and homilist for her funeral, Father John Ford, what to say at her funeral, Sister Thea responded: “Tell them what Sojourner Truth said about her eventual death, ‘I’m not going to die. I’m going home like a shooting star.’” And so she did, peacefully at 5 o’clock in the morning of March 30, 1990, in the home where she was reared in Canton. Sister Thea said that she wanted inscribed on her tombstone the simple, yet profound words: “She tried.” “I want people to remember that I tried to love the Lord and that I tried to love them…” She was buried beside her parents and an uncle at the Elmwood cemetery in Memphis, Tenn.

Sister Thea Bowman’s life was always one of Gospel joy, enduring faith and persevering prayer even in the midst of racial prejudice, cultural insensitivity and debilitating illness. Her personal holiness witnessed to the faith and endurance of her ancestors, the hope expressed in the spirituals, compassion for the poor and marginalized, her devotion to the Eucharist, and the radical love embodied by St. Francis of Assisi. Asked how she made sense of suffering, she answered, “I don’t make sense of suffering. I try to make sense of life…I try each day to see God’s will…”

Her life epitomized the words of Pope Francis in “Evangelii Gaudium”: “Indeed, those who enjoy life most are those who

leave security on the shore and become excited by the mission of communicating life to others.” Sister Thea’s life is also a radiant example of Pope Francis’ “Gaudete et Exsultate,” in which the Holy Father wrote, “Your identification with Christ and His will involves a commitment to build with Him that kingdom of love, justice and universal peace.”

During her short lifetime of 52 years, many people considered her a religious sister undeniably close to God and who lovingly invited others to encounter the presence of God in their lives. She is acclaimed a “holy woman” in the hearts of those who knew and loved her and continue to seek her intercession for guidance and healing.

Today across the United States there are schools; an education foundation to assist needy students attend Catholic universities; housing units for the poor and elderly, and a health clinic for the marginalized that are named in her honor.

Books, articles, catechetical resources, visual media productions, and a stage play have been written or created documenting her exemplary life, spirituality and ministry; prayer cards, works of art, statues, and stained-glass windows bear her image – all attesting to Sister Thea’s profound spiritual impact and example of holiness for the faithful.

— Source: www.sistertheabowman.com, the official website for her cause for canonization