April 12, 2019

April 12, 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

N.C. bishops renew LutheranCatholic Covenant Los obispos de Carolina del Norte renovaron pacto luteranocatólico

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Diocesan schools superintendent announces retirement

Fun and worship Record number of youth attend 15th annual Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage

‘Un propósito sagrado’ Récord de asistencia en la peregrinación juvenil del obispo

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12 INDEX

Contact us.....................................4 Español......................................22-25 Events calendar............................4 Our Faith........................................2 Our Parishes............................ 3-11 Schools........................................ 12 Scripture readings.......................2 TV & Movies................................. 14 U.S. news................................26-27 Viewpoints.............................30-31 World news........................... 28-29

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Resource guide to child abuse prevention 16-21, 25

Atlanta archbishop named to top post in Washington After unrest and anger, new Washington archbishop wants to rebuild trust

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Vivamos la Semana Santa Padre Fidel Melo: Felices Pascuas de Resurrección

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Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

HOLY WEEK: April 14-20 Pope Francis

All are debtors before God’s love, forgiveness

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veryone is “in debt” to God, who offers His infinite love and graces for free, Pope Francis said.

“We have received so much: our existence, a father and a mother, friendships, the wonders of creation,” the pope said April 10 during his weekly general audience.

“Even if difficult days happen to everyone, we must always remember that life is a grace, it is a miracle that God has pulled out of the blue.”

Continuing his audience talks about the Lord’s Prayer, Pope Francis looked at how Jesus teaches people to ask God to “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

“Just as we need bread, we need forgiveness every day,” he said.

With the Lord’s Prayer, he said, Christians ask that God forgive their “being in debt,” which is the meaning behind the use of the word “trespasses” in the original Greek of the Gospel.

Even “if we were perfect, even the purest of saints who never waver from a life of good, we are always children who owe everything to the Father,” he said.

In fact, the most dangerous thing Christians can be are people filled with pride, deceiving themselves that they are on par with God and owe Him nothing, he said.

While some sins are “loud” and glaringly visible, the pope said, pride is the worst of the “sneaky,” less obvious sins, which “nest in the heart” without one realizing it. Pride can be “contagious,” even infecting those who live an intensely religious life, he added, and it divides people, making them believe they are better than others. “Before God, we are all sinners and we have reason to beat our breast,” he said. “If we say, ‘We are without sin,’ we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

Everyone also is in debt, the pope said, for the boundless love they receive from God. People are capable of loving because they have been loved first and they love, not with their own power, but “with the grace of God,” he said.

Much like the moon reflects the sun’s light and the Church receives and reflects Christ’s light, he said, people who love are reflecting a love they received in turn. “Try listening to the story of someone who made a mistake – a prisoner, a convict, a drug addict,” he said, and think about the “anger and abandonment” that may be part of their past. “If someone has not been illuminated by sunlight, they become frozen like the ground in winter.”

“None of us can love God as much as He has loved us,” Pope Francis said. “We need only gaze at a crucifix to realize how disproportionate” His love is.

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oly Week is the week which precedes the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. From the Church’s earliest times, the week has been filled with commemorations of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, His Passion, death and Resurrection.

Palm Sunday The sixth and last Sunday of Lent and beginning of Holy Week commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The main ceremonies are the benediction of the palms, the procession, the Mass and the singing of the Passion.

The blessing of palms and the Palm Sunday procession date back to the earliest Church in Jerusalem.

Palm branches have always been symbols of joy and victory, and in Christianity, as a sign of victory over the flesh and the world according to Psalm 91:13, “Justus ut palma florebit.” The blessed palms are taken home by the faithful and used as a sacramental. Blessed palms are also burned to make ashes for the next year’s Ash Wednesday.

Every great feast was in some way a remembrance of the resurrection of Christ and was called “Pascha.” “Pascha” really comes from a Hebrew word meaning “passage” (of the destroying angel at Passover), but the Greeks took it to be identical with “paschein” (“to suffer”). From the custom of also blessing flowers and entwining them among the palms arose the term “Dominica Florida,” or “Flower Sunday.” One notable bit of trivia: Related terms are “Pascha floridum,” or “Pascua florida” in Spanish – and it was from this Spanish term for Palm Sunday that Florida received its name on that day in 1512.

The Gospel of the Passion is also read during the Palm Sunday Mass.

As on Good Friday, and on the Tuesday and the Wednesday of Holy Week, the Passion is sung by three deacons who impersonate respectively the Evangelist (“Chronista”), Jesus, and the other speakers (“Synagoga”).

This division of the Passion among three characters is very ancient, and it is even indicated by rubrical notes in early manuscripts of the Gospel.

Holy (Maundy) Thursday The oldest of the Holy Week observances, this day commemorates the institution of the Eucharist. Holy Thursday consists of a succession of joyful ceremonies: reconciliation of penitents, consecration of the holy oils (the “Missa chrismalis,” or “Chrism Mass”), washing of the feet (“pedilavium”), and commemoration of the Blessed Eucharist.

“Maundy” derives from “Mandatum” (the first word of the Office of the Washing of the Feet). This marks the central rite of the day. (Note: to learn more about the foot-washing ritual, see page 19.)

On that day Mass and Communion typically followed the evening meal. In the early Church in Rome, everything was carried on in daylight, whereas in Africa on Holy Thursday the Eucharist was celebrated after the evening meal, in view of more exact conformity with the circumstances of the Last Supper. This early tradition survives to the present time in that the clergy do not offer Mass privately but are directed to Communicate together at the public Mass, like guests at one table.

Also on Holy Thursday the ringing of bells ceases until the Easter Vigil, the altar is stripped, and candles remain unlit – outwardly demonstrating the sense of the Church’s bereavement during the time of Christ’s Passion and burial. The observance of silence during these three days dates at least from the eighth century, and in Anglo-Saxon times they were known as “the still days.”

Good Friday

First are the reading of three sets of lessons followed by “bidding prayers.”

Secondly, there is the Adoration of the Cross.

The dramatic unveiling and adoration of the Cross, introduced into the Latin Liturgy in the seventh or eighth century, originated in the Church in Jerusalem, where a relic of the True Cross was venerated.

In the “Peregrinatio Sylviæ,” (written from 378 to 394), that early ceremony is described: “Then a chair is placed for the Bishop in Golgotha behind the Cross ... a table covered with a linen cloth is “Christ Carrying the Cross” by El Greco (1580) on placed before him; display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York the Deacons stand around the table, and a silver-gilt casket is brought in which is the wood of the holy Cross. The casket is opened and (the wood) is taken out, and both the wood of the Cross and the Title are placed upon the table. Now, when it has been put upon the table, the Bishop, as he sits, holds the extremities of the sacred wood firmly in his hands, while the Deacons who stand around guard it. It is guarded thus because the custom is that the people, both faithful and catechumens, come one by one and, bowing down at the table, kiss the sacred wood and pass on.”

Holy Saturday Holy Saturday is also known as Great (or Grand) Saturday, the Angelic Night, and the Easter Vigil.

It is not like Maundy Thursday, a day of joy, but one of joy and sadness intermingled; it is the close of the penitential season of Lent, and the beginning of paschal time, which is one of rejoicing. Its essential feature is the baptism of the catechumens, who have been preparing during Lent to enter the Church.

The Easter Vigil opens with the blessing of the paschal fire and the lighting of lamps and the paschal candle. St. Cyril of Jerusalem said this night was as bright as day, and Emperor Constantine in Rome added unprecedented splendor with a profusion of lamps and enormous torches, so that not only churches, but houses, streets and squares were ablaze with light symbolic of the Risen Christ.

Finally, the Vigil Mass, with its joyous “Gloria,” at which the bells are again rung, the uncovering of the veiled statues and pictures, and the triumphant “Alleluias,” which mark nearly every step of the liturgy, proclaim the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the day of Christ’s Passion, death and burial, now primarily celebrated by a service combining a number of features.

— Source: Catholic Encyclopedia, online at newadvent.org

Daily Scripture readings APRIL 14-20

Sunday (Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord): Luke 19:28-40, Isaiah 50:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, Luke 22:14-23:56; Monday: Isaiah 42:1-7, John 12:1-11; Tuesday: Isaiah 49:1-6, John 13:21-33, 36-38; Wednesday: Isaiah 50:4-9, Matthew 26:14-25; Thursday: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-15; Friday (Good Friday): Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9, John 18:1, 19:42; Saturday (Easter Vigil): Genesis 1:1, 2:2, Exodus 14:15-15:1, Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18, Romans 6:3-11, Luke 24:1-12

APRIL 21-27

Sunday (Resurrection of the Lord): Acts 10:34, 37-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-9; Monday: Acts 2:14, 22-33, Matthew 28:815; Tuesday: Acts 2:36-41, John 20:11-18; Wednesday: Acts 3:1-10, Luke 24:13-35; Thursday: Acts 3:11-26, Luke 24:35-48; Friday: Acts 4:112, John 21:1-14; Saturday: Acts 4:13-21, Mark 16:9-15

APRIL 28-MAY 4

“Resurrection of Christ” by Noël Coypel (c. 1700)

Sunday (Divine Mercy Sunday): Acts 5:12-16, Revelation 1:9-13, 17-19, John 20:1931; Monday (St. Catherine of Siena): Acts 4:23-31, John 3:1-8; Tuesday (St. Pius V): Acts 4:32-37, John 3:7-15; Wednesday (St. Joseph the Worker): Acts 5:17-26, John 3:16-21; Thursday (St. Athanasius): Acts 5:27-33, John 3:31-36; Friday (Sts. Phillip and James): 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, John 14:614; Saturday: Acts 6:1-7, John 6:16-21

Our parishes

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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“I really love how many teens get to come. You get to meet new friends and enjoy being with the friends you have.”

— High school student Libby Obermiller “I like how well they mix religious (topics) and present it in a way that was good for people our age, and how they focused on God and how they helped everyone understand how we should love God and He is our number one.”

— High school student Jonathan Hernandez “One thing I really liked was when all the girls came together and we just had a nice female talk moment with all of the high schools girls, talking about the importance of womanhood.”

— High school student Jacqueline Diouf “I like how everybody came and joined together as a family. I liked how we talked about the struggles of life and stuff like that.”

— High school student Chimmy Oduh “I especially like the Adoration, it’s just very peaceful. I also like the girls’ talk because you are in a surrounding community of people who have been through the same stuff and understand you.”

— High school student Maia Dunnmore

PHOTOS BY DOREEN SUGIERSKI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Above) Bishop Peter Jugis (center) processes with the Blessed Sacrament through the crowds of youth during the Holy Hour at the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage April 6 at Belmont Abbey College. A record 1,400 youth and adults attended the 15th annual pilgrimage. (Below) Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari distributes Holy Communion during Mass at the youth pilgrimage.

“It’s been a good day… It’s really good for them to see this as a witness to them that there are other kids out there who are searching to grow in their faith.”

— Deacon Kevin Williams, youth minister at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Charlotte

‘A holy purpose’ Record attendance at Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

BELMONT — “You have come on pilgrimage to Belmont Abbey today. It is a trip that you have made with a holy purpose in mind,” Bishop Jugis told the more than 1,400 people who participated in the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage April 6 at Belmont Abbey.

“What is the holy purpose for being here?

It is to be with Jesus. To spend time with Jesus is the purpose of pilgrimage,” he said during the Holy Hour homily at the all-day event.

The Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage, held each spring, is designed to provide young people of the Diocese of Charlotte with a day of reflection, prayer, formation, vocation awareness and fellowship. It is a component of the annual Eucharistic Congress, and the 15th annual event shares the 2019 congress theme: “Stay With Us, Lord,” which is based on the words of the Gospel of Luke (24:29).

This passage is the account of two dejected disciples on the road to Emmaus after leaving Jerusalem after Christ was crucified and died.

“As they are approaching the town, what do the disciples say to Jesus? ‘Stay with us.

It is nearly evening,’” recounted Bishop Jugis. He relayed to the youth that in a

sense that is a prayer which they uttered to Jesus – a petition.

“Isn’t it great that Jesus decided to be with us always, all days, until the end of time?” Bishop Jugis asked.

“Isn’t it great then, that because Jesus is with us always, you are never alone, because Jesus promises always to be with you?

“Isn’t it great that you today are able to repeat those words that the disciples said recorded in this Gospel? That you can say, ‘Stay with us’? That you can say, ‘Stay with me, Jesus’?”

The day-long pilgrimage included confession, midday prayer, specific talks geared toward middle school and high school students, as well as Eucharistic Adoration and an outdoor Eucharistic Procession.

Bishop Jugis also preached on Our Lord’s presence in the Holy Eucharist during his Holy Hour homily.

“Let’s take a look at the Holy Eucharist. (This is) the most special and extraordinary way that He stays with us, by Himself being really present in the Blessed Sacrament.

“What an answer to prayer that is, when we say ‘Stay with us’ … His Real Presence.

Jesus says, ‘OK, I will stay with you.’

“What a gift He has given to each one of us.”

“What I love most about this is the Adoration and the Mass. It’s like a little spiritual place with God. He is there with you. It’s like a conversation. I’ve never had this experience in my life.”

— Middle school student Isaac Mejia

“We have gathered here to give witness to our faith in Jesus Christ. We have that strengthened by joining together with one another in finding out that there are lots of people who are joining us in that witness. We are not alone.”

— Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari, chancellor of Belmont Abbey College, during his homily at Mass “It is good for their spirituality… We want them to get in touch with other people from other churches.”

— Father Ambrose Akinwande, pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington “It’s extremely exciting to see all of the young people here, coming together centered on the Eucharist, and with Bishop Jugis being here. It’s an exciting day.”

— Chris Beal, diocesan director of faith formation and coordinator of the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos and video highlights from the 15th annual Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage

“It’s a lot of fun just being able to give back. I came for so many years. Seeing the other side and seeing all of the work that goes on behind the scene is really cool… It’s reassuring to come and see so many people my own age coming, either coming and working or attending. I’m big on community so I like seeing everyone here.”

— Katie Miller, a junior and a Hintemeyer Scholar at Belmont Abbey College, coordinator of 65 college students for the annual pilgrimage

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: APRIL 14 – 11 A.M. Palm Sunday Mass St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

APRIL 18 – 7 P.M. Mass of the Lord’s Supper St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

APRIL 16 – 10 A.M. Chrism Mass St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

APRIL 19 – 3 P.M. Good Friday Veneration of the Cross St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

APRIL 20 – 8 P.M. Easter Vigil Mass St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

Diocesan calendar of events April 12, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

Volume 28 • NUMBER 14

MOVIE NIGHT, ‘LIKE’: 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, St. Pius X Church, 2210 N. Elm St., Greensboro. An independent film documentary that explores the effects of technology and social media on our lives. Bonus Session on APP-Education on how to protect our children, teens and grandchildren from online threats. For details, call the parish office at 336-272-4681.

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

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

STAFF EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org SENIOR REPORTER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org ONLINE REPORTER: Kimberly Bender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org HISPANIC COMMUNICATIONS REPORTER: Cesar Hurtado, 704-370-3375, rchurtado@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Erika Robinson, 704-370-3333, catholicnews@ charlottediocese.org

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

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

ADVERTISING: Reach 165,000 Catholics across western North Carolina! For advertising rates and information, contact Advertising Manager Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 or keeagan@charlottediocese.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

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

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

LIVE CONCERT WITH D3 AND REBEKAH MARTINEZ: 7-8 p.m. Saturday, April 13, in the Kerin Family Center at St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. Come listen to the D3 Foundation Singers for an evening of music to touch the heart and mind in support of life. For details, visit www.d3foundationnc.org.

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

Saturday, April 13, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Topics include: effectiveness of modern NFP, health risks of popular contraceptives and what the Church teaches about responsible parenting. Sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. RSVP to Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN, at 704-3703230.

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS 40 DAYS FOR LIFE: March 6-April 14, vigils will be held daily outside the Planned Parenthood location in Winston-Salem and outside Preferred Women’s Health Center in Charlotte. Join the nationwide vigil and help pray for an end to abortion in 40 Days for Life’s spring campaign. To pray at home, church or online, visit www.40daysforlife.com. To learn more and find a campaign near you contact John Humphreys at johnhumphreys50@yahoo.com (Charlotte) or ws40daysforlife@gmail.com (Winston-Salem).

BLESSING OF EASTER FOOD BASKETS: Noon Saturday, April 20, in Aquinas Hall, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. Deacon James Witulski will be blessing Easter food. This Eastern and Central European tradition is also called “The Blessing of the Easter Baskets,” (or “Swieconka” in Polish) and will last about 30 minutes. This tradition is becoming increasingly popular among all Catholics. The blessings will be in both English and Polish. Traditional foods, such as sausage, eggs, bread, and butter in the shape of a lamb, are brought to the Church, neatly arranged in a basket.

However, every person of any nationality is invited to use their imagination and include their own national foods.

Children can even bring their own baskets with their own treats, including chocolate and Easter candy. For details, call Deacon James Witulski at 704-960-3704.

ST. PEREGRINE HEALING PRAYER SERVICE: 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 25, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer and grave diseases. The healing prayer service is offered for all those suffering with cancer or other diseases. For details, call the church office at 704-543-7677.

FEAST OF THE DEVINE MERCY CELEBRATION: 3:15-4:30 p.m. April 28, Our Lady of Mercy Church, 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem. For details, call the parish office at 336722-7001.

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 (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. Is Divine Mercy needed today? St. John Paul II had this to say: “There is nothing more man needs than Divine Mercy – that love which is benevolent, which is compassionate, which raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights, to the holiness of God.” The Lord told St. Faustina: “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish.” For details, call Paul Deer at 704-577-3496.

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

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: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

GREENSBORO: 9 a.m. Saturday, May 18, St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS ‘LIVING HEALTHY WITH DIABETES’ CLASSES: 1-3:30 p.m. Mondays, March 11-April 15, Our Lady of Consolation Church, 2301 Statesville Ave., Charlotte. Living Healthy with Diabetes is a Stanford University program designed for people with pre-diabetes, diabetes or at risk for diabetes who want to better manage their health. This workshop will provide techniques to self-manage symptoms associated with diabetes, mutual support and group interaction will boost participants’ confidence in utilizing techniques that address: depression, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, fatigue, appropriate use of medications, exercises for health, effective communication skills and healthy eating choices. For details and registration, contact Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220 or sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org. Registration required.

FREE MEDICARE CHOICES MADE EASY CLASS: 2–4 p.m.

Tuesday, April 30, Immaculate Conception Church, 208 Seventh Ave. West, Hendersonville. This presentation will cover how the program works, what they need to do to enroll, what options are available, ways they can save money and answer questions they may have.

This event is intended for: those already on Medicare, those turning 65 and new to the program, those leaving employer insurance for Medicare, and for those who help Medicare beneficiaries with their insurance. For details and registration, contact Sandra Breakfield at 704-3220 or sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org.

‘SENIOR FRAUD & SCAMS PREVENTION’: 10-11 a.m.

Wednesday, April 24, St. Edwards Hall at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4145 Johnson St., High Point.

Presented by Hugh A. Harris, outreach and policy counsel for the N.C. Department of Justice - Public Protection Section. This workshop will provide answers as to why you are at risk for fraud and scams, the most popular scams targeting seniors, tips to protect yourself and what you should do if you’ve been scammed. Sponsored

by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte and Elder Ministry at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. To RSVP, contact Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220 or sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org by April 17.

1ST AMILY ENCOUNTER: Friday-Saturday, June 21-22, in Winston-Salem. Mission to offer the family a chance to rekindle and affirm each family member’s love and relationship with one another. Spiritual Director, Monsignor Paul Schetelick, will host the encounter. For details and registration, call Aimee Pena at 908-510-0053 or Lith Golamco at 732-453-4279.

‘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.

SUPPORT GROUPS DIVORCED CATHOLICS, ‘THE HEALING PROCESS OF ANNULMENTS’: 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte.

After a Catholic goes through a divorce, there is so much confusion and misinformation about practicing the faith.

The truth is that your Catholic faith is the very key to healing after a divorce and is vital to living a life filled with promise, peace and joy. Join Deacon Jim Hamrlik for an one-hour annulment workshop. For details, call Deacon Hamrlik at 704-543-7677, ext. 1040.

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 DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE YOUNG ADULTS COOKOUT: 6-9 p.m. after Mass, St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. Diocesan-wide family event for 21-39-year-olds, Catholics and their friends and families.

Come and enjoy music, games, food and some local brews. For details, call the parish office at 704-948-0231.

IS YOUR PARISH OR SCHOOL hosting a free event open to the public? Deadline for all submissions is 10 days prior to desired publication date. Submit in writing to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org.

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

N.C. bishops renew longstanding Lutheran-Catholic Covenant diocesan-synodical covenant.

“For 450 years the Catholics and the Lutherans threw stones at each other. Now we are talking,” said the Rev. Carl MacKenzie, a retired Lutheran SALISBURY — The three leaders of the pastor who took part in one of the first such Roman Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran ecumenical covenants in Chicago in 1989. “We’re churches in North Carolina were all smiles not trying to convert everyone to one side or March 29 as they gathered to pray together and other,” he added, but like siblings who haven’t reaffirm their commitment to Christian unity. spoken to each other in years, Catholics and Bishop Peter Jugis of the Catholic Diocese of Lutherans must make an effort to reconcile, Charlotte, Bishop Luis Zarama of the Catholic forgive and reacquaint themselves in order to Diocese of Raleigh, and Bishop Timothy Smith restore their relationship. of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical “It’s been a lifetime of prayer of mine,” the Lutheran Church in America signed the latest Rev. MacKenzie said. “I’m very happy to see iteration of the Lutheran-Catholic Covenant us progressing in this journey and hope more during a prayer service at Sacred Heart Catholic people get caught up in the spirit of unity.”

Church in Salisbury.

The 2019 covenant signing is the latest Each bishop took turns reading the covenant restatement of ecumenism among the North aloud to the congregation of Catholics and Carolina churches, an effort that their predecessors began in 1991.

Monsignor Michael Shugrue served as the ecumenical officer for the Raleigh diocese back then. He recalls the three bishops – Bishop Joseph Gossman of Raleigh, Bishop John Donoghue of Charlotte, and Bishop Michael McDaniel of the Lutheran Synod – developed a close personal relationship and spent a lot of time together. They even shared a week-long retreat at a Trappist monastery, and soon after they were inspired to establish the LutheranCatholic Covenant, he said.

The agreement called for the Lutheran and Catholic churches to pray for each other, collaborate “for more effective ministry” BILL WASHINGTON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD and appoint liaisons between (From left) Bishop Peter Jugis of the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, Bishop diocesan and synodical ministries, Timothy Smith of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran institutions and agencies.

Church in America, and Bishop Luis Zarama of the Catholic Diocese of Copies of the covenant were sent Raleigh affirmed their commitment to Christian unity with the signing of the Lutheran-Catholic Covenant March 29, the latest iteration of a covenant to every Catholic and Lutheran church in the state to be posted on between the churches that began in 1991. their walls for everyone to read.

The close relationship between the three North Carolina church leaders was Lutherans from across North Carolina: continued by their respective successors, who “Inasmuch as all unity comes from the unity of reaffirmed the covenant in 1996, 2001 and 2007. the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Monsignor Shugrue said he is proud of the – we are called to make that given unity more legacy of the Lutheran-Catholic Covenant, visible among us,” the covenant stated in part. but he also knows it is a work in progress – In welcoming remarks as host, Bishop Jugis requiring people of goodwill today to affirm pointed out the larger-than-life statue of the its principles anew. Pointing at the covenant Sacred Heart of Jesus perched atop the high with its long list of practical steps people are altar inside the church. Looking up at it, Bishop encouraged to take to foster unity, he said with Jugis noted that it must have been a similar a smile, “If you can’t find something here to do image to what the apostles saw when the Risen with a Catholic or a Lutheran, you’re not alive.”

Jesus ascended into heaven.

Their effort has been part of the Church’s The image of Jesus, with His arms larger journey towards unity coming out of outstretched in blessing, reminds us “that we the Second Vatican Council. Dialogue has are always under the protective blessing of Our so far produced agreements on the doctrine Lord,” Bishop Jugis said. of justification, resolution of the theological The Lutheran-Catholic Covenant is inspired by conflicts of Martin Luther, the recognition of the Risen Lord, he said, and by His prayer “that one baptism for the remission of original sin, they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and the dogma of the Nicene Creed. and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the In 2016 Pope Francis joined Lutheran leaders world may believe that you sent me” (Jn 17:21). in a joint ecumenical commemoration of the Monsignor Douglas Reed, a Catholic priest, 500th anniversary of the posting by Martin and the Rev. Wolfgang Herz-Lane, a Lutheran Luther of The Ninety-Five Theses in 1517, which pastor, drove together from Cary to attend the sparked the Protestant Reformation. covenant signing ceremony.

The 500th anniversary was also “It’s important to me that the Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church are talking, that they’re commemorated in 2017 by Bishop Jugis, Bishop Robert Guglielmone of Charleston, S.C., and committed to dialogue,” said Monsignor Reed. leaders of the Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, “We’ve come a long way” in bridging the A.M.E. Zion, Moravian and Presbyterian longstanding divide between the churches, churches in North and South Carolina. added Rev. Herz-Lane, “but we have a long way to go.”

Four people from Hendersonville, including More online the co-convenors of the Lutheran-Catholic At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See video Covenant between Immaculate Conception highlights from the signing of the 2019 LutheranCatholic Church and Grace Lutheran Church, Catholic Covenant also attended the ceremony. Their parish-level

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The second annual “Converging Road” conference in Charlotte April 6 attracted more than 50 health care professionals. The conference opened with the Diocese of Charlotte’s first “White Mass” offered for people working in the medical field.

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

covenant, signed in 2016, was inspired by the

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PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Conference and ‘White Mass’ offers Catholic perspective on medical issues PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

CHARLOTTE — Approximately 50 people attended the second annual “Converging Roads” conference for health care professionals April 6, hosted at St. Patrick Cathedral.

The conference opened with a special “White Mass” offered for health care professionals and others working in the medical field – the first for the Diocese of Charlotte.

Conference goers were welcomed by Father Christopher Bond, parochial vicar at the cathedral. In his homily, Father Bond thanked the people for attending Mass as the first act of their daylong conference.

“Your presence here early on a Saturday morning … is rather commendable,” he said. “Your presence at the foot of the cross, your presence on the hill of Calvary, which is where we are all transported to in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.”

Participating in Mass, being present in the sacrifice of Jesus to save all humanity from their sins, “is beneficial to our souls and the souls we care for and love – our family members and friends, our co-workers, our clients, our patients,” he said.

In the world today, where many people don’t think or don’t care about Jesus, or worse, persecute or jeer followers of Jesus, it is even more important for Catholics to witness by being present before the cross – following the example of Mary, he noted.

He urged everyone to pray for the mercy of God to convert people’s hearts so that they turn back to God and respect the dignity of all human life.

An initiative of the St. John Paul II Foundation, Converging Roads is rooted in the Catholic moral tradition and was presented in collaboration with the Charlotte diocese and Belmont Abbey College.

Speakers at the conference, which had the theme “Human Dignity at the Beginning of Life,” included Maureen Condic, Ph.D., “When Does Life Begin: The Science”; David A. Prentice, Ph.D., “The Present and Future Prospect of Treating Disabilities with Stem Cells”; Ashley K. Fernandes, M.D., Ph.D., “Foundations for Freedom and Conscience and Threats to the Right to Serve”; DiAnn C. Ecret, Ph.D., MSN, RN, “Prenatal Diagnosis and Disability”; Roland Millare, S.T.D., “Understanding the Cross of Infertility: Medicine, Ethics, Hope, and Joy”; and Christopher Kaczor, Ph.D., “Ectopic and Other Difficult Pregnancies: Morals & Medicine.”

Condic said the conference offered an ideal opportunity for professionals to dive deeply into medical issues and ethics – something they probably don’t have the luxury of doing in a medical emergency or crisis.

“Education is not the only aspect of making good choices, but it’s a critical aspect,” she said.

Kelsey Biehler, who works in administration at Atrium Health and attends St. Patrick Cathedral, said she attended because she was particularly interested in learning more about the science behind conception. “One of my goals is to better understand the scientific perspective on issues” from a Catholic perspective, she said.

Angela Kessler, a member of St. Ann Church in Charlotte who works in the immunology lab at Atrium Health, said the conference offered invaluable continuing education for medical professionals such as herself.

Learning more about the ethics and science of stem-cell research in the treatment of disabilities was of special interest to her, she said.

“It was an honor to again work in collaboration with Belmont Abbey and the St. John Paul II Foundation planning this encouraging and allencompassing conference for healthcare professionals,” said Jessica R. Grabowski, Respect Life program director for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. “We look forward to continuing the conversations that took place today and providing additional events like this for medical professionals in our diocese.”

Susie Lopez, conference coordinator with St. John Paul II Foundation, said, “It is a blessing to serve the medical professionals of the diocese and students who are working toward a medical career. We always receive such great feedback from the participants here in Charlotte and look forward to coming back to the diocese in the future.”

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 OUR PARISHES

Diocese hosts first finance conference

Seminarian Education second collection to be taken up April 20-21 CHARLOTTE — Parishioners across the Diocese of Charlotte will have an opportunity to help fund the education of future priests by giving to the Seminarian Education second collection Easter weekend, April 20-21.

There is an increased need for funding as the number of men in seminary formation for the Diocese of Charlotte is growing. The number of seminarians has more than doubled in just a few years – from 15 seminarians to 36.

There are 16 men in three major seminaries and 20 at St. Joseph College Seminary in Charlotte.

This good news for future vocations is welcomed as the past 10 years have seen remarkable growth in the diocese.

A decade ago, there were 58,500 registered households.

In 2018, that number was 73,700. By the year 2025 it is estimated that the number of registered households will climb to 86,800.

“Growth of this nature is paralleled by a need for priests to pastor this increasing number of Catholics,” said Bishop Peter Jugis in his letter to parishioners.

In the next decade, 27 priests are expected to reach retirement age. And as seven diocesan priests are actively serving although they are past the retirement age of 70, the need for more priests to serve the growing Catholic population in western North Carolina is great.

“We are both blessed and challenged. As you know, our challenge is to provide the funding needed to recruit, educate and form our future priests,” the bishop explained.

Besides praying for the seminarians by name, Bishop Jugis asks the faithful to “give prayerful consideration to the amount you give to the Seminarian Education second collection on Easter Sunday.”

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Scouts from across the Diocese of Charlotte received their religious emblems at the end of Mass at the 43rd annual Catholic Camporee at Camp Grimes in Nebo April 7.

Scouts gather for annual Catholic Camporee PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

NEBO — More than 200 Scouts concluded the Diocese of Charlotte’s 43rd annual Catholic Camporee with Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis April 7.

The annual Catholic Camporee, held at Camp Grimes, showcased the ministry of Holy Angels in Belmont and featured the theme “Caring for God’s Children.” Scouters of all ages enjoyed a weekend of fun Scouting activities, food and fellowship at Camp Grimes, the Mecklenburg Scout Reservation run by the Mecklenburg County Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Dennis Kuhn from Holy Angels gave a keynote presentation on Holy Angels mission and care of persons with intellectual developmental disabilities at the camporee. He used magic by taking a piece of rope cutting it in two and magically restoring it to illustrate the “disappearance” of the disability; then he ran a large needle through a balloon to illustrate accomplishing the seemingly impossible in working with those with developmental disabilities. The Scouts were taught how to take three different-sized pieces of rope, making all three equal size pieces to illustrate the power of three in the Holy Trinity, the Sign of the Cross, and how differences disappear and unity and teamwork prevail.

Kuhn explained that it is incumbent on us to break down barriers that isolate or separate the “differently-abled.” All of us are children of God, including the differently-abled, he said, and the differently-abled should be loved and need to be loved – just like anyone else.

“The diocesan Scouting committee is grateful for the support of all those who played a role in making the event a success,” noted Mike Nielsen, singling out the Camporee cubmaster, Steve Hughes, and the Camporee scoutmaster, Richard Cashman, who planned and developed the Camporee program.

The Mass to conclude the Catholic Camporee was celebrated in Camp Grimes’ new dining hall, built to replace the 40-year-old dining hall that burned down in 2016.

In his homily, Bishop Jugis encouraged the young people to seek the “healing graces” of God’s mercy through the sacrament of confession, highlighted in the Gospel passage of the day, John 12:1-8, which tells of the encounter of the adulterous woman with Jesus.

Jesus forgives the woman and then tells her to

“go and sin no more” – words Catholics repeat when they pray the Act of Contrition, Bishop Jugis noted.

The intention to avoid sin and to embrace holiness is a resolution we should make anew every day, he suggested.

There is “an urgent need” for reconciliation in today’s chaotic and angry world, Bishop Jugis said. Reconciliation brings freedom and peace, and it unites us to Jesus on the cross – something particularly important to remember as we prepare for the Resurrection at Easter.

“What a tremendous healing comes to us as the result of the forgiveness of sins,” he said.

Jesus gave His life to reconcile us to God the Father – a reconciliation which we could not accomplish for ourselves – and “it is the greatest gift we have received from the Lord,” he said.

The “healing power” of confession, in which we turn away from sin and turn towards God, gives us the opportunity to receive His gift of “a new life of grace, peace and holiness.”

“Jesus is here for the healing of our souls,” he said. “It’s up to us to accept His offer and to experience that new life that He gives us through His gracious kindness.”

Assisting at Mass was Deacon Martin Ricart, spiritual advisor of the Charlotte Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting. St. Joseph College seminarians Matthew Harrison and Nicholas Kramer, both Eagle Scouts (from Troop 5 in Concord and Troop 61 in Arden, respectively), served at the Mass.

After Mass, religious emblems exemplifying the Catholic ideals of Scouting were awarded, including the Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei and Ad Altare Dei awards.

The highest national adult recognition in Catholic Scouting, the St. George Emblem, was awarded to Dan Burns of Troop 8 at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.

Four Scout leaders received the Bronze Pelican emblem, the highest adult honor given locally in Catholic Scouting: E.J. Pezold and Jerry Smith of St. Matthew Troop 8 in Charlotte; Octavius Carter of Our Lady of Consolation Troop 172 in Charlotte; and Deacon Martin Ricart, chaplain of the Charlotte Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos from the 43rd annual Catholic Camporee

HICKORY — The Diocese of Charlotte Finance Office, in partnership with ParishSOFT, offered the first ever two-day diocesan finance conference March 19-20 at the Catholic Conference Center.

Sixty-nine participants attended the conference where general sessions and focused workshops helped them gain valuable knowledge of the ParishSOFT standard accounting platform used by all diocesan parishes and parish-based schools in order to achieve diocesan objectives of accurate, complete, timely and transparent financial reporting.

Bill Weldon, chief financial officer for the diocese, provided an “Update from the diocesan Finance Office” which covered tax issues, state laws regarding fundraising activities, a proposed change in Department of Labor overtime rules, and costs associated with the diocesan employee health plan and other parish charges.

Norma McAlonan, bookkeeper of St. Lucien Church in Spruce Pine and St. Bernadette Mission in Linville, considered the conference a success. She found that the explanation of endowments and how to account for them was very helpful.

“The ParishSOFT instructor’s class on imports and exports was interesting,” McAlonan added. “I may use this feature in my accounting to make some reporting faster and more efficient. The other classes were very informational.”

The highlight of her experience at the conference was the Lenten Reflection given

by Father Richard Sutter, coupled with the peace and serenity of the surrounding of the conference center, she added. “He spoke to us about how important it is to love and to reach out to those who are in need of love. We all certainly know how much our country is in need of love.”

“He shared with us the inspirational words of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen from his book ‘The Cross and The Beatitudes.’

He also reminded us not to be overwhelmed by our ego – ‘Edging God Out’ – but to ‘lift up our eyes unto the hills from whence comes our help. Our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth’ (Psalm 121:1-2),” she said.

Father David McCanless, parochial vicar at St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville, attended with a member of the parish staff and also found the conference to be helpful.

“It was useful to hear not only from the presenters, but also from the staff at other parishes about their approaches to budgeting and financial planning,” Father McCanless said. “We took away several ideas that should help us more effectively use parish resources.”

“There were a handful of time-saving tips that could save a great deal of time in the future,” noted Claudia Goppold, who has served as the business manager at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte since 2005.

“I also learned about an advanced report writer that would would be very helpful,” she added.

Goppold found that the comraderie with other parishes’ financial staff was extremely beneficial.

“Brainstorming and idea sharing during the meals and break times was enlightening. The spiritual element gave me a lift and renewed sense of purpose in my position,” she said.

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

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RCIA: ON THE PATH TO BECOMING CATHOLIC

God’s mercy is ‘life-changing power’ GIULIANA POLINARI RILEY CORRESPONDENT

FOREST CITY — Easter is a special time of year for Immaculate Conception parishioner Chad Burnett.

Four years ago, he entered the Catholic Church after years of trying to run away from God. In presentations he has shared to parish groups since his conversion to Catholicism, Burnett has encouraged others to embrace God’s love and mercy – just as he finally did.

After a traumatic childhood caused by dysfunctional parents, Burnett found himself homeless on his 15th birthday. He lived on the streets and his days were filled with violence, crime and addiction. Eventually, everyone on the streets he knew had died or gone to prison.

At 24, Burnett found himself alone, sitting in the car that he also slept in, contemplating suicide.

It was then that he heard a voice say, “Not you. Trust in me.”

Somehow, Burnett knew it was the voice of Jesus.

“That encounter with Jesus Christ literally saved my life,” he recalls.

Burnett put down the drugs and the alcohol, and he picked up the Bible.

He also enlisted in the military to help find a new path in life. Still, there was something missing, he says.

He tried attending a number of Protestant worship services but they left him dissatisfied, and so he began to search for God and His Church on his own. One day, he stumbled across a used copy of the Diary of St. Faustina in a bookstore. ”That book was the beginning of my journey to the Holy Catholic Church and my devotion to the life-changing power of Divine Mercy,” Burnett says.

He learned how to pray the rosary and began praying it daily along with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

He eventually found the courage to contact Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City, and he asked for information on how to become Catholic. He attended RCIA classes at the parish and entered the Church four years ago. Now, he not only practices his newfound Catholic faith, he teaches it to seventh-graders in the parish’s faith formation program.

Candidates and catechumens were presented to Bishop Peter Jugis during the Rite of Election at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville March 23.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

BY CAPUCHIN FRANCISCAN FATHER MARTIN SCHRATZ

More than 650 people, including 205 candidates and 73 catechumens, attended the recent Rite of Election at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARYANN LUEDTKE AND LINDSAY KOHL

Did you know?

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process developed by the Catholic Church for prospective converts to Catholicism. Over the past few weeks, approximately 511 candidates and 248 catechumens have been learning about the Catholic faith and preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation – baptism, first Holy Communion and confirmation – at the Easter Vigil Mass or soon thereafter.

They recently gathered with Bishop Peter Jugis for the Rite of Election, also called the Enrollment of Names. Rites of Election were held at three locations across the Diocese of Charlotte: St. Pius X Church in Greensboro, St. Mark Church in Huntersville and Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville.

Hundreds of candidates and catechumens were presented during the Rite of Election at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

BY AMY BURGER

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 OUR PARISHES

‘How do we trust in God?’ Formed founder speaks to Legatus members SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Dr. Timothy Gray, founder of Formed.org and president of the Augustine Institute, gave the keynote address to members of the Charlotte chapter of Legatus at the Ballantyne Country Club April 4.

Legatus is an international organization of Catholic business leaders and their spouses who strive to be “ambassadors for Christ in the marketplace.� Legatus members meet monthly to grow in their faith, network and share their experiences and insights as business leaders in their communities.

The Legatus Charlotte chapter was formed in June 2016 with the approval of Bishop Peter Jugis. Out of 90 chapters worldwide, it is currently the only Legatus chapter in North Carolina.

Gray Prior to the keynote address April 4, Legatus members gathered to pray the rosary and attend Mass which was celebrated by their chaplain, Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey.

After dinner, Gray delivered his address, entitled “Can I trust in God? How do we trust in God?� “The theme of trusting in God is an important one, especially in light of the crisis in the Church, the crises in society in general,� Gray said. “And trusting in God is at the root of all crises, especially this one.�

Gray noted that we live in a post-modern culture where people can hop on a flight from Denver to Charlotte in a few hours like he did, and people wonder if they really need to believe in God. People also question whether religion has become outdated. “What is really at the heart of that is supernatural faith,� he said. “Do we believe that God is present, as a Catholic that He is present in the Eucharist?

K OF C HOLY SPIRIT COUNCIL # 10389

“Can I really believe that God personally loves me? That’s really the heart of the challenge.�

Gray said the key to trust is time and effort. “To trust God takes work and it takes a relationship.�

Throughout Scripture, God shows that He can be trusted, he noted, and the Bible encourages us not to become discouraged. “What can happen in the Church today?

People get so discouraged. We have a lot of people who are culturally Catholic and not faithfully Catholic, both amongst the laity and our leadership,� he observed. “Now what we are going to have is people who stay over the next decade, are going to be those who are faithful. So the voices of those who care about Christ and are faithful, both in the clergy and amongst the laity, are going to be voices that are going to be the loudest. They are going to be the ones driving the renewal of the Church,� he said.

More and more people want to know their Catholic faith more deeply, he added. “Those who are going to stay Catholic, they want to plug in and know their faith. They want to learn and be strengthened in their walk with God. They want to be part of the rebuilding. They want to be part of the renewal.�

Trust in God is the key to this rebuilding and renewal of the Church, he said. “The key to the new evangelization, the key to the renewal of the Church in this moment in need for reform, is radical trust – a supernatural trust in who God the Father is, in who Jesus is. God wants to be present to His people in spite of our failures. No matter how much we have sinned as the people of God, God is still the God who gathers His people into His arms.�

Get more info

Let’s keep talking.

The Legatus Charlotte chapter welcomes new members. Find out more about Legatus at www.legatus.org/chapter/charlotte. Questions?

Contact Carla Sztyber at 704-779-0581 or email charlotte@legatus.org.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY LIZETTE LAMPE

St. Barnabas Church Respect Life committee members manned a table after all Masses at the parish March 30-31, offering parishioners an opportunity to sign letters addressed to their state and federal elected officials expressing their pro-life stance as Catholics and their concerns about recent legislation in other states condoning infanticide.

St. Barnabas parishioners send 3,000 letters in support of pro-life legislation SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

ARDEN — Shocked by recently enacted laws in New York and proposals in Virginia allowing infanticide in the wake of a failed abortion, parishioners of St. Barnabas Church recently organized a letter-writing campaign to make their pro-life voices heard. “Our letter writing campaign was prompted by the horrendous news and events that have been occurring regarding Right to Life issues in the New York State legislature and proposals spoken by the governor of Virginia that encourages infanticide,� explained Father Adrian Porras, pastor.

At the state level, Arden parishioners expressed their support for N.C. House Bill 54, the Unborn Child Protection From Dismemberment Act, and the defunding of Planned Parenthood in letters mailed to North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and 12 state senators and representatives from the western North Carolina districts.

At the federal level, parishioners mailed letters to U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis and U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows in support of the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. A total of 3,000 letters were mailed to those state and federal representatives. “Our Right To Life committee was just horrified and angered after the New York and Virginia infanticide laws passed earlier in the year,� said parishioner Lizette Lampe. “This spurred us to get involved legislatively. We all put our heads together.�

Lampe also reached out to Senators Burr and Tillis by writing letters and submitting them on the senators’ websites. “Several of our parishioners have done similar things,� she explained. “We are constantly in touch with pro-life

websites, such as Susan B. Anthony List, and we send e-mails on a regular basis.

We wanted to send legislators a stronger message, by blitzing our Representatives with handwritten letters, mailed by USPS.�

Lampe said that many of the volunteers on the Right to Life committee at the parish have busy lives and a letter writing campaign takes a lot of time, but the effort to stand up for the dignity of all human life is worthwhile.

The weekend of March 30-31, she and some of the other volunteers staffed a table at all of the Masses. They were there with clipboards and 16-page packets of letters for people to sign and print their addresses. “It was labor intensive, but parishioners were willing to take the time (to sign),� she said.

The committee also helped raise money for postage after all Masses over the course of two weeks. Other parishioners donated labels, envelopes and postage.

Dr. Joanne Gregory, St. Barnabas Respect Life committee coordinator, wrote the letters and spent countless hours working with other volunteers addressing and stuffing the envelopes once the letters were signed. “It was a lot of effort and required a lot of volunteers that work tirelessly with me on this,� she admitted. “I felt for this to be successful the letters needed to be personalized and sent individually, to have credence versus petitions or anonymous letters.�

Gregory said she believes it is important that the legislators who have been proposing these pro-life bills and supporting them should know how they as North Carolina voters feel. “And the legislators who are pro-choice need to hear that there is a large pro-life voice that needs to be heard and taken seriously,� she added.

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

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St. Matthew Parish hosts national speaker, human trafficking event JENNY COX SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARLOTTE — When 15-year-old Theresa Flores accepted a ride home from the cute boy in her high school, she never imagined she would be drugged, raped and enslaved into the dangerous world of sex trafficking – all while living with unsuspecting parents in an upper-middle class neighborhood.

Now a national speaker, author and advocate, Flores shared her story and ways to spot and combat human trafficking with an audience of about 100 at a Saving Our Adolescents from Prostitution (SOAP) event March 23 at St. Matthew Church.

Participants labeled bars of soap with the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888373-7888) and delivered hundreds of bars with educational materials to area hotels in Charlotte.

“On my worst night, after being auctioned off to nearly two dozen men in a dingy, dirty, inner Detroit motel, the only thing that would have reached out to me was a bar of soap. With that in mind, I founded the SOAP Project in 2010 to help reach out to other victims,” Flores said. SOAP events are held throughout the nation and have involved over 100,000 volunteers distributing more than one million bars of soap.

The International Labor Organization estimates there are more than 40 million victims of human trafficking around the world. It estimates trafficking of human beings for forced labor or sexual exploitation generates $150 billion a year, making it the third-largest crime industry in the world behind drugs and arms trafficking.

“Most of us cannot comprehend

the magnitude of the issue of human trafficking, let alone that it happens in our neighborhoods to our children,” said Lynn Anamasi, president of the Charlotte chapter of SOAP. “But we can all be part of the solution and make a difference if we know what to look for and join forces to stand up against it.”

The Catholic Church has been actively engaged in the fight against trafficking for many years. In an address to the United Nations, Pope Francis urged the world to show a greater commitment to battling “this abhorrent plague, a form of modern slavery.” He said, “Every year, thousands of men, women and children are innocent victims of labor exploitation, and sex and organ trafficking … This is ugly. It is cruel.

It is criminal.”

In January, the Vatican released “Pastoral Orientations on Human Trafficking,” guidelines to help the Church fight against this evil. “Pope Francis’ insistent teaching on human trafficking provides the foundation for the present pastoral orientations which draw also from the longstanding practical experience of many international Catholic NGOs working in the field and from the observations of representatives of bishops’ conferences,” the text said.

The 40-page booklet is available at https://migrants-refugees.va/resourcecenter/documents. To learn more about SOAP and to get involved in the local chapter, email SoapCharlotte@gmail.com.

More Catholic resources can be found at www.usccb.org/about/anti-traffickingprogram/human-trafficking.cfm.

JENNY COX is the Peace and Social Justice Ministry Leader at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ST. MATTHEW PARISH

Volunteers at St. Matthew Church label bars of soap with the National Human Trafficking Hotline number for delivery to area hotels.

Demand slave-free supply chains Though you may never encounter an enslaved person, the clothes you’re wearing, the phone or computer you are using or the food you’re eating may be a product of slave labor. Be an informed consumer. Encourage companies to monitor and address abuses in their supply chains. The following resources are just a few of the many that can help you ensure that your products are slave-free: n Fair Trade International: products with the “Fair Trade” label are ethically produced and include fair labor conditions and prices as well as provisions for community development and environmental sustainability. n My Slavery Footprint: helps you identify the extent to which your consumption habits are connected to modern-day slavery and human trafficking. n Seafood Slavery Risk Tool: informs consumers and businesses about the risks of forced labor, human trafficking and child labor in fisheries.

You can also make an effort to purchase from businesses that are run by or support survivors.

Purchases from companies such as Freeset Global, Relevée, Sari Bari, Shop for Freedom and To The Market, among others, support survivor rehabilitation, employment and the broader anti-trafficking movement.

— Source: www.humantraffickingsearch.org/take-action/for-businesses

College seminarians visit Our Lady of Consolation Parish PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

CHARLOTTE — St. Joseph College Seminary students were welcomed to Our Lady of Consolation Church March 31.

The parish visit, part of the college seminary’s program of study for the young men who are discerning a priestly vocation, included a “Harambee” Mass and a question-and-answer session about vocations afterwards. Parishioner James Johnson IV, a student at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and an Eagle Scout with BSA Troop 172, was also introduced as an applicant to the college seminary program for this fall.

Johnson said he helped Father Basile Sede, pastor, arrange the college seminarians’ visit to help the young men get to know where he comes from and to experience a different celebration of the liturgy than what they may be used to.

Also, he noted, “I wanted them to see the potential church they might one day be assigned to and to see that there is a diverse and vibrant parish in Charlotte that unites the amazing celebration of the liturgy of the Eucharist along with the traditions of African and African-American heritage.”

Johnson said he also hoped the visit would better acquaint his fellow parishioners with the college seminary.

He had not told many at the parish of his application to St. Joseph College Seminary

and his discernment to the priesthood, he said, as he “did not know how to tell over 550 families.” But Father Matthew Buettner, House Spiritual Director to St. Joseph College Seminary, announced during his homily that Johnson had applied to the program.

“At first I was worried and did not know what to do or say,” Johnson said later. “But as the day went on, I began to realize that it was the Lord’s will that it be announced.”

In his homily, Father Buettner recalled serving at Our Lady of Consolation Parish when he was a seminarian 20 years earlier.

That summer assignment, he said, left a lasting impression on him – especially the parish’s focus on hospitality to all, and he was grateful for the opportunity to return “full circle” as a priest bringing seminarians with him.

The “Harambee” Mass, inspired by the Kenyan tradition of community selfhelp efforts, featured a reflection about “Harambee” and “the little guy” written by parishioner Toni Tupponce along with special music and presentation of the offertory gifts in the African tradition.

“Harambee” means “all pull together” in Swahili.

The reflection stated, in part, “How often have we heard that the “little guy” or the marginalized just can’t get a break? ...

Remarkably, God doesn’t seek the biggest, the richest, the most powerful, the most highly connected, and the one with the

TRAVIS BURTON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

St. Joseph College Seminary students and their House Spiritual Director Father Matthew Buettner visited Our Lady of Consolation Parish March 31. They are pictured with pastor Father Basile Sede and Deacon Curtiss Todd.

lightest complexion to anoint – even as king. ... Family, when we are unclear of who we really are – because we believe those who we perceive to be more powerful, pious, prestigious and prosperous – we are as blind as the sightless ones cured by Jesus. Here on this corner of Statesville Avenue, we can choose to believe that

we will be overcome by the changes all around us or – together – we can be the powerful beloved community that God put here to bless this community in all ways possible. We must ultimately recognize that our culture is our beauty and our SEMINARIANS, SEE PAGE 32

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 OUR PARISHES

Greensboro to host world Irish dancing championships GREENSBORO — An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, the world’s premiere Irish dance organization, will host the 49th annual World Irish Dancing Championships at the Koury Convention Center April 14-21.

The world championships, called “Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne” in Gaelic, is the Olympics of Irish dance – a prestigious event where elite dancers from every corner of the globe will converge on Greensboro and battle it out to become “Champions of the World.”

This is the first time that this event has been hosted in the Southern Region and only the third time the event has taken place in North America.

As the largest and most prestigious Irish dancing contest globally, which has run for nearly five decades, “The Worlds” is coming to Greensboro after the city fought off stiff competition from venues worldwide.

The world championships are expected to attract in excess of 5,000 competitors in solo, céilí, figurechoreography and dance drama categories in a variety of age groups.

Aged from eight to 30, competitors will travel to Greensboro for the event from more than 27 countries including Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Russia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Australia and Canada. An estimated 25,000 spectators, comprised of friends, family, teachers and supporters, are also expected. In all, the competition figures to boost the city’s economy by around $20 million.

Catholics throughout the Greensboro area, including St. Leo the Great Parish and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, are supporting the international event in various ways.

This year’s championships in Greensboro will be a truly vibrant festival, presenting the best in Irish dancing. Through nine days of intense competition, former champions will defend titles and new

champions will be crowned. Ancillary events such as music and Irish language sessions, social events for dancers and the World Ball, are also being organized.

Entry to the competition will be strictly controlled using a wristband system, but North Carolina residents and any military personnel can obtain a free wristband each day during the competition at the Oireachtas welcome desk, located in the foyer of the Sheraton Hotel. Photo identification will be required for each wristband issued. Wristbands for the following day will be available between 4 and 6 p.m. each afternoon.

See breathtaking displays of talent from the world’s most skilled dancers, who have worked relentlessly for the past year to ensure they bring their very best to North Carolina. The traditional aspects of Irish step dance will fuse with increasing athleticism, innovation in choreography and rhythm to demonstrate a modern and truly inspiring evolution of this cultural dance form.

Dancers as young as 10 years old must perform three dances (in both soft and hard shoes) in front of three rotating panels of seven international adjudicators. This year, because of a significant increase in participant numbers, we are introducing a double recall and all but the two youngest age groups will perform over two days in a system involving heats, semi-finals and a final round.

Teams are made up of eight or 16 members, and they dance traditional “céilí” or figure dances with precision and synchronization.

Musical accompaniment for the event will be provided by teams of experienced Feis musicians from all around the world The honoree for this year’s event is Mary Lou Schade, who has made an outstanding contribution to Irish Dancing in North America and throughout the world.

— Catholic News Herald

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARKUS KUNCORO

Marking the start of Passiontide CHARLOTTE — St. Ann Parish celebrated Passion Sunday Mass in the Extraordinary Form (Latin) with pastor Father Timothy Reid April 7 while the St. Ann Ladies’ Schola sang Gregorian chants for the High (Sung) Mass. In the Traditional Latin liturgy, the fifth Sunday of Lent is Passion Sunday, which marks the start of the Passiontide, the final two weeks of Lent. The first week of Passiontide is Passion Week followed by the Holy Week in the second week.

Statues are covered by purple veils starting on Passion Sunday until the Gloria on Holy Saturday. For more information about the Latin Mass in the Charlotte area, email Chris Lauer at info@charlottelatinmass.org or go online to www.charlottelatinmass.org.

Wash Away all Your Sins on

Divine Mercy Sunday April 28, 2019

Attend Sunday Mass - Venerate The Divine Mercy Image Receive The Eucharist - Go To Reconciliation (within 20 days before or after) Gain Remission of Sin & Punishment

Come to 3 PM Hour of Great Mercy

“In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of me, in virtue of My Passion.” (Diary,1320) Prayers, Homily, Singing of Chaplet, Blessing with St. Faustina’s 1st Class Relic

Enjoy Divine Mercy Cenacles Hospitality Immediately following in Banquet Room Refreshments & Divine Mercy Materials

In Home Cenacle Signups in Narthex

after the Divine Mercy Sunday Masses and in Banquet Room after the 3pm Hour of Great Mercy

St. Matthew Catholic Church

8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy Charlotte NC 28277

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com the college seminary, were also present for the Mass. The Mass included Gregorian chant sung by the St. Mark schola, joined by seminarians from St. Joseph College Seminary. Before Mass, Father Carter offered instruction on the Latin Mass, the symbolism, and how parishioners can participate in Mass. Video from the Mass can be viewed on St. Mark Parish’s Facebook page.

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent

Clemmons parish supports Catherine’s House and ministry of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church that operates 21 group homes, one independent living home, nine supported living apartments and three arts centers to allow individuals to experience independent living in home-like atmospheres. UMAR serves more than 400 people throughout western North Carolina.

Pictured are Robert Desch, LAMB director for the St. Matthew Knights council; Marilyn Garner, president and CEO of UMAR; and Richard White, state director for the LAMB Foundation.

Statesville parish aids local food pantry STATESVILLE — On behalf of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville, Jim Kermes (second from the left) recently delivered dozens of bags of nonperishable food collected at the weekend Masses to Iredell Christian Ministries.

Helping unload the truck were volunteers, (from left) Ralph, Becky and Hunter of the Iredell Christian Ministries.

— Connie Ries

St. Matthew Knights council makes LAMB donation CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Parish’s Knights of Columbus Council recently made a donation on behalf of the LAMB Foundation to UMAR, a non-profit organization and an agency

CLEMMONS — The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Guild of Holy Family Parish irecently had a calendar party that raised $4,150 for Catherine’s House. Mercy Sister Carmelita Hagan attended the event to tell those attending about Catherine’s House, a ministry of the Sisters of Mercy that aids homeless women and children.

— Ellen Tommasi

left) Candace and Erin Lang from LIFE Village, Melissa Shore from ABLE Recreation, Jack Sharp from iCamp, and Michael Maybee from Watauga Opportunites.

— Amber Mellon

Ladies Guild hosts day of reflection FOREST CITY —The Ladies Guild of Immaculate Conception Church sponsored a Women’s Lenten Day of Reflection March 9.

The program started with Mass, followed by the retreat with speaker Sister Gertrude Gillette. The morning session focused on Jesus’ passion, and was based on Scripture, science (especially what has been learned from research on the Shroud of Turin), geography and history.

The second talk was looking at the Passion from the perspective of Our Lady. The ladies in attendance enjoyed socializing during the light breakfast and potluck lunch provided.

3 generations of Knights

Knights support non-profits BOONE — Knights of Columbus Council 11966 of St. Elizabeth Parish awarded grants March 11 to four high country non-profits from its Operation LAMB campaign: LIFE Village, ABLE Recreation, iCamp and Watauga Opportunities.

There to receive the grants were (pictured from

STATESVILLE — Three generations of Knights of Columbus were recently recognized at St. Philip the Apostle Church, all members of St. James Knights of Columbus Council 7152.

Pictured (from left) are Patrick Ferguson, 19, Tony Sr. (Poppa), 90, Tony Jr., 54, and Anthony III 20. Tony Ferguson Sr. has been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1957, when he moved to the United States from Liverpool, England, and his grandsons joined this past December.

— Tony Ferguson

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— Giuliana Polinari Riley

Solemn High Mass offered for the Annunciation HUNTERSVILLE — Several hundred St. Mark parishioners attended a special Solemn High Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) for the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary March 25 in Huntersville. The Mass was offered to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary on the day which commemorates St. Gabriel announcing the Incarnation and Mary’s “fiat” or “yes.” The Mass was offered by St. Mark’s pastor, Father John Putnam, with parochial vicars Father Noah Carter as deacon and Father Brian Becker as subdeacon. Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary in Charlotte, and Father Matthew Buettner, spiritual director of

OUR PARISHESI

Our schools 12

catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

Diocesan schools superintendent announces retirement CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Janice Ritter has announced her plan to retire.

Ritter has worked for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte since 1997.

Ritter has decided to retire as superintendent effective June 14, Ritter according to a release from Father Roger Arnsparger, vicar of education.

“We will miss her energetic and creative

leadership,” Father Arnsparger said. “We are all very grateful for her professional and generous commitment to the Diocese of Charlotte and specifically to all who are a part of the Catholic schools of the diocese.”

Ritter served as principal of St. Patrick School from June 1997 to June 1999, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools from June 1999 to June 2012 (twice serving as acting superintendent), and superintendent of Catholic schools from June 2012 to June 2019.

“Her professional organization of the Catholic Schools Office and staff, her support and leadership of the principals and teachers, her direction and implementation of the accreditation

of all 19 schools, and her development of so many projects and programs which have enriched the Catholic Schools, have all brought great benefit of the diocese,” Father Arnsparger said.

A search committee process will begin for hiring a new superintendent of the diocesan Catholic schools.

The search process will invite applications from people within the Catholic Schools Office, the Catholic schools, and from qualified individuals in the diocese and beyond.

The Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools are comprised of 19 schools across the diocese, educating students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.

— Catholic News Herald

Stations of the Cross GREENSBORO — Our Lady of Grace School seventh-graders recently re-enacted the Stations of the Cross for the entire school community at Our Lady of Grace Church.

— Paola Scilinguo-Mendoza

Celebrating spring at Sacred Heart School SALISBURY — Spring has arrived at Sacred Heart School, and with it comes many additional STREAM activities and learning outside the box.

Pictured is sixth-grader Patrick Beal learning about beekeeping.

Principal Tyler Kulp praises his teaching staff for the countless hours they spend planning interesting lessons that incorporate curricula across Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Agriculture and Mathematics.

“We have already had life cycle lessons hatching baby chicks in our second grade, but now that spring is here, we are getting ready to explode,” Kulp said. “Now our second-graders are involved in measurements, building specifically sized crosses (for Lent), and creating beautiful art pieces for our hallways. Soon, our third-graders will be hatching baby ducks and our fourthgraders will become amateur beekeepers. Now that the ground soil temperatures are rising, we are able to plant our spring gardens. There are so many lessons in science, technology and engineering that can be taught outdoors and our students LOVE them.”

The school will celebrate Earth Day on May 3, with students building bat boxes with Master Gardener Randy Cox in coordination with the N.C. Landtrust’s Leopold Society.

They will also work with Officer Ashley O’Hare with wildlife enforcement and Taylor Parker, a doctoral student from UNC-Charlotte studying environment science and the community’s impact on the world.

— Robin Fisher

Fundraising campaign for MACS Fine Arts Center kicks off SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — On March 29, a dream once envisioned some 25 years ago is now a step closer to becoming reality.

Charlotte Catholic High School’s principal, Kurt Telford, and members of the MACS Fine Arts Center campaign cabinet announced the kickoff of the “Expanding the Vision, Honoring the Tradition” capital campaign during a rally at the high school.

The event marked the beginning of the public phase of fundraising for a new 55,000-square-foot building to be built adjacent to Charlotte Catholic High School on PinevilleMatthews Road.

The MACS Fine Arts Center has been a long-time goal. Ever since Charlotte Catholic High School relocated to its current campus in 1995, the Catholic community has recognized the need for a dedicated space for performing and visual arts classes for students in the local Catholic schools.

The MACS Fine Arts Center at Charlotte Catholic High School will provide arts education and performance space for all elementary, middle and high school students in the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system. The center also will be available for gatherings of the entire Catholic community and the broader Charlotte community.

The “Expanding the Vision, Honoring the Tradition” capital campaign aims to raise $8 million toward the cost of the center.

MACS will cover the remaining $15 million of the center’s $23 million cost through an existing capital fee paid by all school families in the system.

The campaign has raised $3 million so far. The Diocese of Charlotte’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign and the Charlotte Catholic High School Foundation have provided major financial backing, with each giving a $500,000 gift to the campaign.

“The MACS Fine Arts Center at Charlotte Catholic High School is a school expansion that will benefit every one of our Catholic school students, from kindergarten through 12th grade,” Telford said. “We will be able to offer a holistic education to all of our students, with new space for the performing arts that all MACS students may use, and renovated space for classrooms and athletics at Charlotte Catholic.”

The dominant feature of the MACS Fine Arts Center will be a 650-seat auditorium, which will have a 60-foot-high professional theatrical rigging system for hoisting curtains, lighting and other equipment. The center will also feature band and choral rooms; dance, art and ceramic studios; photography and digital labs; faculty workshop space; dressing rooms; a lobby and gathering space, and a concessions area.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone who will use the Fine Arts Center – the CCHS students as well as our elementary and middle school students, the Catholic community, and our greater Charlotte community,” Telford said.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Carolina Panther Elijah Hood, a graduate of Charlotte Catholic High School, holds the poster illustrating the progress of the MACS Fine Arts Center campaign during the fundraising kickoff rally March 29 at Charlotte Catholic High School.

“This expansion has been a long time coming, and we are thrilled to make this dream a reality.”

MACS students consistently receive local, regional and national recognition for excellence in the arts. While the programs thrive, fine arts space is limited.

All fine arts classes at Charlotte Catholic will relocate to the new 55,000-square-foot building. The move will free up space at the high school for other uses. The school will renovate the space into classrooms and an athletic area that will include a new weight room and new wrestling room.

“FFHL is having a significant impact around the diocese, and this project is the latest example of how people’s contributions are making a difference in our parishes, schools and ministries,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director.

The goal is to begin construction in December 2020 and open the MACS Fine Arts Center by June 2022.

— Charlotte Catholic High School contributed.

Learn more At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Find out how your donation to the MACS Fine Arts will enhance the greater Charlotte community

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

“I am not afraid; I was born to do this”

DUC IN ALTUM June 24 - 28, 2019 * Belmont Abbey College

Retreat open to young women 15 thru 19 years old Register by June 18, 2019 www.charlottevocations.org

— St. Joan of Arc

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Sharing God’s gifts

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

In theaters

Book on the sacraments penned by local priest, seminary rector SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

‘Unplanned’ Fact-based drama adapted from a memoir by Abby Johnson.

During her rise to become one of the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic directors in the country, Johnson (Ashley Bratcher) gradually becomes uneasy about the organization’s marketing of abortion, a process of conversion that reaches a dramatic climax when she is asked to assist a doctor performing the procedure and witnesses via sonogram what it really involves. Her new stance is welcomed by her pro-life husband and parents (Robin DeMarco and Robert Thomason) as well as by some of the activists, she once considered adversaries. But it infuriates her ornery former superior in the organization (Robia Scott) who becomes the moving force in a lawsuit against her. The film is effective but unsparing in its effort to convey the full horror of slaughtering the unborn. Parents of older teens will have to decide whether the informative value of the story outweighs its disturbing content. Not for the casual moviegoer of any age. Gruesome images of abortion and dismembered fetuses and much medical gore.

CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R

‘The Best of Enemies’ Appealing fact-based drama, set in 1971 Durham, North Carolina, in which a no-nonsense civil rights activist (Taraji P. Henson) and the head of the local Ku Klux Klan (Sam Rockwell) are forced to spend time together as leading participants in an arbitration process deciding the future of the city’s still-segregated schools. As a result, each gains insight into the other’s life and character with very positive ultimate consequences. In adapting Osha Gray Davidson’s 1996 book, the director Robin Bissell evokes strong performances from a fine cast and promotes humane values in a film many parents may consider rewarding for older teens, especially given the role Christian faith plays in guiding the campaigner’s actions. Some nongraphic violence, a few uses of profanity and of crude and crass language, racial slurs.

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

‘The Mustang’ Director Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, has tailored this drama around a real-life horse-taming program for inmates operated by the Bureau of Land Management. A prisoner (Matthias Schoenaerts) at Northern Nevada Correctional Center learns to soothe both his own demons and the wildest horse in training. The predictability of the story doesn’t lessen the joy of experiencing his progress as he bonds with the animal. Mostly there’s equine therapy at work here, soothing to man and beast alike, with both only seeking their freedom. Knife and physical violence, references to drug dealing, a few profanities, some rough and crude language.

CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R

Other movies: n ‘Dumbo’: CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: PG n ‘The Beach Bum’: CNS: O (morally offensive); MPAA: R n ‘Shazam!’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13

CHARLOTTE — A doctorate in Sacred Theology does make you a bit of an expert when it comes to the Catholic faith.

But it takes a gift for teaching to make the faith come alive in the pages of a book.

In his new book, “The Sacraments: Discovering the Treasures of Divine Life,” Father Matthew Kauth takes the seven sacraments of the Church and illuminates the scriptural foundation and the spiritual realities of each and how they are necessary to living a happy and holy life.

Father Kauth was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Charlotte in 2000.

Over the years he felt the Lord calling him to develop his love for preaching and teaching, and in XXXX he became a definitively promised Dominican.

He is now the rector of St. Joseph College Seminary in Charlotte and also serves as a professor at Belmont Abbey College, where his seminarians work towards their undergraduate degrees in philosophy.

“I have always enjoyed teaching,” Father Kauth says. “Certainly the charism of the Dominican order is to pass on that which you have contemplated; to hand on that which you have contemplated. I love that, because that is what you do when you teach. You are speaking to people about your own life with the Lord, both in study and in prayer.”

Father Kauth notes that writing books is another way to share what God has allowed him to glean from his studies and experiences, and to share all that he has learned with others.

“I am charged to do that as a Dominican – to be able to reach the faithful, even though I am not as much of a public person anymore (as the rector of the college seminary),” he explains.

Conor Gallagher, president of TAN Books, approached Father Kauth and asked him to write a book on the sacraments in the same style in which he preaches.

Gallagher wanted it to be for the people in the pews, not intellectuals necessarily.

He wanted a book that can enkindle one’s love of the sacraments.

Father Kauth originally declined the offer due to his hectic schedule. But divine providence would intervene for both men.

Father Kauth was looking for ways to fund the college seminarians’ Capstone course, which is a 10-day trip to Italy to see some of the treasures of the Church and to bring their philosophical and classical language studies to a pinnacle, so he agreed to write the book to help bridge the gap to fund that program for the students.

“I took the spring break (from his teaching duties at Belmont Abbey) and wrote for about seven days,” Father Kauth says. “I read some books before I wrote it, but for the most part I just sat there and wrote it.”

After completion of the book, Gallagher asked Father Kauth to film a video series on “The Sacraments” as well.

“I flew to Milwaukee and filmed a series of videos on ‘The Sacraments.’ We shot every one of those videos over the course of two days,” he recalls.

Father Kauth says he is open to creating more materials to help instruct the faithful in the future.

“I think the faithful of the diocese are very fortunate that we have so many wonderful priests,” he says. “I think that the faithful do get a lot of solid teaching (here).”

Father Kauth adds that he believes “a lot of us (priests) would be open to doing more things like this if the faithful were to say they want more of this on specific topics.”

Order a copy At www.tanbooks.com: Order a copy of “The Sacraments: Discovering the Treasures of Divine Life”

On TV n Friday, April 12, 3:20 p.m.

(EWTN) “Saint Cecilia.” Dr. Timothy O’Donnell visits St. Cecilia, a church dedicated to the patroness of music, virgin and martyr, which was built right over her home. n Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m.

(EWTN) “Savior.” A cinematic presentation of the life of Jesus Christ according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. n Sunday, April 14, 1:45 p.m.

(EWTN) “Mater Redemptoris Shrine.“ The history surrounding Cameroon’s Mater Redemptoris Shrine, an incredible site that sees over 10,000 pilgrims on the third Friday of Lent each year. n Sunday, April 14, 5 p.m.

(EWTN) “That I May See.” The Sermon on the Mount and the miracles of Jesus featuring Ruth Hussey and Raymond Burr. n Sunday, April 14, 8 p.m.

(EWTN) “Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday from Rome with Pope Francis.” Pope Francis celebrates the Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday, followed by the Angelus live from Vatican City. n Monday, April 15, 3:20 p.m.

(EWTN) “Santa Prassede.” Dr. Timothy O’Donnell visits the church of St. Praxedis. She was a daughter of a Roman senator who greeted St. Peter upon his arrival to Rome and received the faith at his hands. She was martyred by Nero. n Wednesday, April 17, 3:20 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Mary Major.” The Wednesday after Palm Sunday, Dr. Timothy O’Donnell revisits St. Mary Major. There, he describes some of the architecture and art in this beautiful basilica dedicated to Our Lady. n Thursday, April 18, 12 p.m.

(EWTN) “Redeemer.” This dramatic presentation follows Jesus through the last days of His life. n Friday, April 19, 5 a.m.

(EWTN) “The Passion Narrative.” The story of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, according to the four Gospels and performed

by Theater of the Word actor Kevin O’Brien. n Friday, April 19, 6:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Good Friday.”

Catholic apologist Rosalind Moss, now Mother Miriam, continues her study of Luke’s Gospel with an insightful reflection on the crucifixion. n Sunday, April 21, 4 a.m.

(EWTN) “Solemn Mass of Easter From Rome.” Pope Francis celebrates the Solemn Mass of Easter live from Rome.

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Where are you going?

QUO VADIS DAYS 2019

June 10-14, 2019 * Belmont Abbey College Retreat is open to young men 15 thru 19 years old A camp for Catholic men to learn more about the priesthood, deepen their faith, and help discern God’s call in their lives.

REGISTER BY JUNE 3

www.charlottevocations.org

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 FROM THE COVER

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION GUIDE

Guide to child abuse prevention Editor’s note: Preventing child abuse is everyone’s responsibility. In honor of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Catholic News Herald offers this resource guide for parents, teachers, volunteers and everyone involved with the care of children and young people in the Church. For more information, contact your parish office or go online to www.charlottediocese.org (click on “Safe Environment”).

Practical advice for parents on preventing child abuse Did you know?

The prevalence of child sexual abuse is difficult to determine because it is often not reported; experts agree that the incidence is far greater than what is reported to authorities.

Although it is a crime in all 50 states, statistics vary because child sexual abuse is not uniformly defined.

Despite what children are taught about “stranger danger,” most child victims are abused by someone they know and trust, such as a parent or other relative.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau report “Child Maltreatment 2017”:

8.4% The number of victimized children who were sexually assaulted in 2017

1,439 The number of N.C. children who were sexually abused in 2017

The first step to protecting children from sexual abuse is educating parents about the nature of the problem. Awareness about child sexual abuse – what it is and who commits it – opens the door to some simple steps parents can take to protect children. Awareness, education and responsible parenting give a child the best tools for her or his defense – and the child may be more likely to tell an adult if something happens.

Here are some practical actions parents can take to help protect their children:

uncomfortable. Give them direct answers to questions about sex. n Ages 5 to 8 years – talk about good touches and bad touches, and safety away from home. n Ages 8 to 12 years – focus on personal safety issues. n Ages 13 to 18 years – discuss issues such as rape, date rape, HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancy.

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Games are a great way to reinforce the lessons you teach your children about safety issues. For example, children are always asking parents, “What if ?” Using this same game, parents can raise their own concerns and encourage their children to think and make decisions relying on the lessons they have learned.

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Teach children to say, “Stop it,” to instructions that might encourage them to do things that they really do not want to do. Reinforce the rule that children should say, “Stop it,” to requests or demands that make them uncomfortable, even if they think they should obey. A discussion of these rules can teach a child that there are some times when it is OK to say, “Stop it,” and other times when it is OK to go along with the instructions.

Everything hinges on context. Parents must teach their children how to discern between an appropriate request and an inappropriate request.

For example, it is appropriate to follow the instruction to “Be nice,” as long as the instruction is within an appropriate context, such as, “Be nice and don’t throw things at the other children.” But, tell children it’s OK to disobey this request if, for example, someone says, “Be nice and take off your clothes.”

n From ages 18 months to 3 years – begin teaching children the proper names for all body parts. n Ages 3 to 5 years – teach children about private body parts and how to say “no” to anyone who touches them in a way that makes them feel

Know where children spend their time. Get to know the adults who show up at the various locations in the community where children gather and where they play together.

Be wary of any adult who seems more interested in creating a relationship with a child than with other adults.

Pay attention when an adult seems

By virtue of their physical size, adults have power over children – and that increases a child’s vulnerability. For example, parents and other authority figures teach children to “obey adults.” When children hear this message, they may interpret it to mean that all adults have the authority to tell all children what to do, all the time. If this is a child’s interpretation, then the message has created additional vulnerability for the child. Yet, some simple, common sense steps can help minimize a child’s vulnerability. For example: n Do not insist that children hug or kiss relatives or friends. Let children express affection on their own terms. n Let children know that their feelings are important to you.

Intervene if you notice that your child is uncomfortable doing something that another adult asks him or her to do. Let the child know that you will protect him or her from this discomfort.

Learn to recognize and take advantage of teachable moments with children. Be willing to openly discuss sensitive issues. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following age-appropriate conversations with children:

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to single out a particular child for a relationship or for special attention.

Warning signs include treats, gifts, vacations or other special favors offered only to one specific child.

6

Make unannounced visits to the child’s nursery, daycare center or school. When choosing a nursery, daycare center or school, make sure there are no areas where children play or work that are “off limits” to parents. n Do not allow a child to go alone on “vacation” with any adult other than the child’s parent. n Do not allow a child to spend the night alone with any adult other than the child’s parent or another safe adult. (Note: “Safe adult” is a special designation used in the VIRTUS Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program for Parents and Guardians to describe adults who have demonstrated that they behave in a safe manner when interacting with children.) n Except in the case of a serious emergency, do not allow a child to travel alone – even for a very short distance – with any adult other than the child’s parent or another safe adult.

You should also prohibit children from accepting expensive gifts from an adult, particularly if one child is singled out for special attention.

7

Find out if the child’s school or church religious education programs include a sex abuse prevention curriculum. If not, volunteer to be on a committee to establish such a program.

Work with teachers to review available programs and make recommendations to administrators.

Talk with other parents about supporting the addition of child sexual abuse prevention material to existing child safety programs.

— Reprinted with permission from National Catholic Services, LLC. National Catholic provides neither spiritual solutions to individual problems nor legal advice to its clients. Seek the advice of a spiritual director or attorney regarding individual questions or legal advice.

What should I do if I suspect my child has been abused?

Call the police or social services department in your community. Reassure your child that he/she did nothing wrong and that he/she did the right thing by telling you. You may want to find a child counselor experienced in child abuse matters.

You can also contact the Diocese of Charlotte’s victim assistance coordinator David Harold, LCSW, at 704-370-3363 or david. harold@gmail.com. Harold is available to help survivors of abuse, whether the incident took place in the Charlotte diocese or elsewhere.

I get the ‘creeps’ from a volunteer at church who always has his hands on kids in some way or other. What should I do?

Listen to your “gut.” Offenders give warning signs that knowledgeable adults can use; your ‘gut’ often picks them up. You are not accusing someone of abuse you are communicating your concern about inappropriate behavior. Let the diocesan victim assistance or safe environment coordinator know of your concerns. Let the supervisor of the program know of them as well.

Keep reporting your concerns until someone hears you. Your courage to report those types of incidents may be very helpful. Reporting can let the person know their behavior is unacceptable, and it lets them know they are being watched. If it is poor judgment, this gives the person the opportunity to change the behavior.

Why do I have to be trained?

I did not do anything wrong; this is a clergy problem.

Child sexual abuse is a widespread societal problem, not a Catholic clergy problem. The more people who are trained to recognize the warning signs of an offender, the safer our children are. In the aftermath of the clergy scandal, the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People requires the Church to train both adults and children to prevent child sexual abuse. This is not because the Church thinks all adults are the problem. It is because the solution to preventing child sexual abuse depends on caring adults knowing what to do.

— U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com FROM THE COVERI

17

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION GUIDE

A survivor speaks out and takes action: Rick Lober’s story Warning signs of abuse in minors

DAVID HAINS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION

ASHEVILLE — Motivated by his own childhood trauma, Rick Lober is getting involved in the Church’s response to child sexual abuse.

In 1969 Lober was a high school junior, living in New York and thinking of a religious vocation, when his physics teacher, a priest, started paying extra attention to him. For Lober, who grew up without a father, the adult male attention was welcomed. “I was like, wow!, a priest reaching out to me,” recalls Lober, who now lives in Asheville and attends St. Eugene Church.

The attentiveness from the priest included time spent in conversation after classes at St. Pius X Preparatory High School in Uniondale, N.Y., special projects and even an overnight trip to Washington, D.C., Lober says.

Alone in a confessional with the priest, Lober, who describes himself at that time as “sexually naïve,” confessed to a sexual sin. Lober found himself being groomed, and a series of sexual encounters between the man and the boy followed, he recounts.

The priest “basically manipulated me in a way in which I felt like this is what I needed to do if I was going to be saved,” Lober explains.

After six months Lober had enough, and he cut off contact with the priest. He buried the memory of his trauma, as he puts it, “in a deep and dark place.” After a year in a college seminary, he dropped out of school and angrily abandoned his Catholic faith. “Once I realized more fully what he had done to me and how he abused me…I hated him,” Lober describes.

The school was closed in 1984. Lober himself did not tell anyone of the abuse until just last year – long after he had married, raised a family and returned to the Church.

The priest is not being named by the Catholic News Herald because he has not been publicly reported by his diocese, the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y. Lober says the New York diocese does not plan an investigation into the matter because the priest died in 1988.

Sean Dolan, communications director for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, declined to comment before presstime, saying, “There are a lot of moving parts that need to be adequately researched.”

It was last August’s news of the Pennsylvania grand jury report, detailing hundreds of cases

Rick Lober of Asheville has recounted his experience of being abused by a priest when he was a teenager growing up in New York.

DAVID HAINS | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

of clergy sexual abuse involving more than a thousand victims, that brought back all of the painful memories, Lober says.

Like much of the nation at the time, Lober’s parish was abuzz with the details of the report and what it meant. Father Patrick Cahill, St. Eugene’s pastor, held a meeting for parishioners to discuss the scandal, and hundreds of people showed up. Near the end of the meeting, Lober says, he felt compelled to speak up.

He recalls, “I was shaking like a leaf, my voice quivered… This was the first time I ever (publicly) shared my story.”

He described being groomed and victimized, and his testimony shocked the room into silence. His witness also spurred parishioners to organize a parish response to abuse. Father Cahill formed a Child and Youth Protection Committee that will review the procedures for reporting sexual abuse in the parish and develop materials to assist parents in talking to children and young people about sexual abuse awareness. Lober heads the committee.

Lober later shared his testimony with Bishop Peter Jugis, explaining that his committee wanted to work on meaningful reforms and changes at the

parish, regional and diocesan levels. “We’re not here as an adversary, we are here to help,” he says he told the bishop, adding, “I came out of that meeting with a sense of joy… I saw in him a genuine openness.”

Lober, who is semi-retired, now spends much of his time talking about and planning the next steps for the laity as it works from within to make lasting change in the Church.

In a statement to the Catholic News Herald, Bishop Jugis said, “We appreciate the courage and contributions Rick Lober is making to keep children safe and to educate everyone about how they can get involved to help bring positive change within the Church. The Church regrets the pain Rick experienced as a result of his association in New York with a priest who should have been there to protect and guide him. In Charlotte, we are committed to rooting out and stopping sexual abuse and sexual misconduct of any kind.”

Watch online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Prayer brought healing and peace to clergy sexual abuse survivor Rick Lober of Asheville

Bishop Jugis responds to statements from abuse survivors’ group SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis issued a statement in response to information presented by two representatives from Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) in a press conference they conducted April 2 across from the Diocese of Charlotte Pastoral Center.

Rene Anctil and Wendy May, now of Raleigh, are both survivors of childhood sexual abuse by clergy that occurred outside the Diocese of Charlotte.

They distributed information with the names of five priests who have been accused of abuse that occurred outside the Charlotte diocese.

The names have previously surfaced in lawsuits or on lists of clergy with credible allegations published by other dioceses, diocesan officials noted.

“The Diocese of Charlotte would like to thank SNAP for its efforts on behalf of the victims of sexual abuse and urges anyone who has been a victim of abuse to report it to the authorities,” Bishop Jugis said in a statement issued April 2.

“As we have done since the passage of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002, we will review this and any new information about alleged incidents of abuse or misconduct that comes to us from any source to determine if a credible allegation exists,” he added in his statement.

Bishop Jugis noted that since 2002, the diocese has made public all allegations of clergy sexual abuse of minors within the diocese that have been determined to be credible following investigation by the diocese’s Lay Review Board.

Bishop Jugis has said publication of a list of other credibly accused clergy is under discussion in the Diocese of Charlotte.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Rene Anctil and Wendy May talk to reporters across the street from the Diocese of Charlotte’s Pastoral Center in Charlotte April 2.

n No longer wants to see a particular person they had been close to n Has declining academic performance n Tries to hide use of technology n Is no longer interested in activities they used to enjoy n Shows changes in personality n Demonstrates aggressive behavior or is constantly angry n Withdraws from family or friends

Warning signs of perpetrators n Tries to get minors alone n Commits physical and emotional boundary violations n Keeps secrets with minors n Gives lavish gifts to minors n Allows or encourages minors to break laws or rules n Is overly interested in spending time with minors n Has inappropriate or suggestive conversations with minors n Does not believe the rules apply to them (or, does not follow rules or protocols) — U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 FROM THE COVER

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION GUIDE

10 tips for protecting children and offering outreach to victims/survivors

1 2

Sexual abuse is about the victim.

Many people are affected by abuse but the individual most impacted is the victim who has suffered a violation of trust that can affect his or her entire life.

The residual effects of having been abused can last a lifetime.

The sense of violation goes deep into a person’s psyche and feelings of anger, shame, hurt and betrayal can build long after the abuse has taken place. Those who have been abused can heal, but it often takes time, therapy and the support of loved ones.

a victim/survivor’s suffering, pain and anger are acknowledged.

7

You cannot always predict who will be an abuser.

Experience shows that most abuse is committed by someone who has gained the trust of a victim/survivor and his/her family.

8

There are behavioral warning signs of child abusers.

Some abusers isolate a potential victim by giving him or her undue attention or lavish gifts. Others allow young people to participate in activities which their parents or guardians would not approve, such as watching pornography, drinking alcohol, using drugs and excessive touching, such as wrestling and tickling.

3

No one has the right to have access to children.

No one, no matter who they are, has an automatic right to be around children or young people who are in the care of the Church without proper screening and without following the rules.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Download this prayer card in English or Spanish, pray a rosary for healing of abuse victims, and find more abuse prevention resources for your family or parish group

4 5 6

9

People can be taught to identify grooming behavior.

Grooming behaviors are the actions which abusers take to project the image that they are kind, generous, caring people, while their intent is to lure a minor into an inappropriate relationship. Offenders can be patient and may groom their victim, his or her family, or community for years.

Common sense is not all that common.

Dioceses, schools, parishes and especially families must educate themselves and others on how to protect children.

Child sexual abuse can be prevented.

It is critical to build safety barriers around children and young people to keep them from harm – such as protective guardians, codes of conduct, background evaluations, policies and procedures, and safety training programs.

Feeling heard leads toward healing.

Relief from hurt and anger often comes when one feels heard, when one’s pain and concerns are taken seriously, and

10

Background checks are important.

Background checks in churches, schools and other organizations keep predators away from children both because they scare off some predators and because they uncover past actions that should ban an adult from working or volunteering with children.

— U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Protecting God’s Children

We proclaim Christ to the world around us by our efforts to provide a safe environment for all people, especially the young and the vulnerable.

In 2002, the bishops of the United States issued the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The charter addresses the Church’s commitment to respond effectively, appropriately and compassionately to cases of abuse of minors by priests, deacons or other church personnel.

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 and/or the proper civil authorities.

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.”

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com FROM THE COVERI

19

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION GUIDE

What happens when an allegation of sexual abuse is made against clergy or a Church worker?

What is the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People?

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is a comprehensive set of procedures established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 2002 for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Diocese of Charlotte falls under the Charter, and is audited every year for its compliance (SEE PAGE 20). The Charter includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability and prevention of further acts of abuse.

The Charter covers allegations of abuse by clergy or religious against any minor. In both civil and Church law a minor is anyone under the age of 18.

The Charter pertains to acts of abuse in the past, present and future. Any act of sexual abuse of a minor that occurred prior to the Charter being implemented but is brought forward now, will be considered relevant and subject to the Charter.

Allegations of child sexual abuse follow the process outlined below: STEP

1

STEP

2

Since 2002, the Catholic Church in the United States has followed a set of rules initiated by the bishops of the country and approved by the Vatican for dealing with sexual abuse of minors by priests or deacons: The Essential Norms for Diocesan/ Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons. These norms include:

— U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

More online At www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/ child-and-youth-protection/charter. cfm: Get more information and read the full text of the Essential Norms for Diocesan/ Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons

Made via phone, email, mail, etc., to the Diocese of Charlotte Chancery At the time of reporting an incident of alleged sexual misconduct to the Chancery, the person making the report will be asked to complete the diocesan form “Report of Suspected Ministry Related Sexual Misconduct by Church Personnel” (available on the diocesan website at www.charlottediocese.org)

Every U.S. Catholic diocese is required…

n To have a written policy for dealing with sexual abuse of minors by priests, deacons and other Church personnel n To appoint a victim assistance coordinator, who is available for the immediate pastoral care of persons who report having been sexually abused as a minor by a priest or deacon n To report allegations concerning child sexual abuse to civil authorities and to cooperate with the civil investigations n To establish a review board of at least five persons, mostly members of the laity, who counsel the bishop on allegations and review local policies dealing with sexual abuse of minors n To investigate promptly and objectively any allegation of sexual abuse of minors by a priest or deacon n To remove offending priests or deacons permanently from Church ministry n To prohibit the transfer of offending priests or deacons for ministerial assignment in another diocese or eparchy n To receive necessary background information before permitting a priest or deacon to exercise ministry in a diocese or eparchy n To protect the rights of accusers and of the accused

ALLEGATION

NOTIFICATION The Chancery notifies: 1. Civil Authorities (DSS and/or law enforcement). They conduct their own investigation.

2. Diocesan Review Board 3. (In the case of clergy from another diocese or religious order) Their superior 4. Victim Assistance Coordinator, who is available to provide care and connect them with counseling if requested 5. Accused is notified of the allegation and immediate measures are considered until credibility of the allegation can be determined.

If measures are taken, the following are also notified: 6. Parish 7. Catholic News Herald

STEP

3

STEP

4

STEP

5

INVESTIGATION 1. The Review Board launches an internal investigation, separate from any civil investigation.

An expert investigator, when required, is assigned to gather information and report their findings to the Review Board and to the Bishop.

2. The Review Board examines the case’s credibility – specifically the question: is there the semblance of truth to the allegation? The Review Board makes a recommendation to the Bishop.

DETERMINATION Following the Review Board’s review and assessment, the Bishop determines the credibility of the allegation and makes a decision in the case.

RESOLUTION / NEXT STEPS Allegation found credible: For an employee, the accused is fired or permanently removed from ministry; the accused is encouraged to seek counseling, and other appropriate measures may be taken. For clergy, after the completion of this preliminary investigation a formal investigation is launched and the matter is sent to the Holy See for adjudication.

Allegation found not credible: The case is dismissed, the person who made the allegation is notified, and the employee or clergy returns to ministry at the Bishop’s discretion. Steps are taken publicly to restore their reputation.

How to report an allegation of abuse Anyone having actual knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect an incident of ministry-related sexual abuse is to immediately report the incident: Contact your local law enforcement and/or your local DSS, and/or file a written report with the Diocese of Charlotte Chancery. The Chancery will then report the incident to the proper civil authorities.

ONLINE: www.charlottediocese.org/human-resources/safe-environment PHONE: Chancery at 704-370-6299 or the victim assistance hotline at 704-3703363 EMAIL: David Harold, LCSW, the diocese’s victim assistance coordinator, at david.harold@gmail.com MAIL: Chancellor, Diocese of Charlotte, P.O. Box 36776, Charlotte, N.C. 28236

Note

David Harold, LCSW, regularly checks the victim assistance hotline (704-370-3363) and email (david.harold@gmail.com)

‘We are committed to taking any report of abuse seriously, and ensuring full follow through.’

David Harold, LCSW

Victim assistance coordinator for the Diocese of Charlotte

People involved in the diocese’s investigation process VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR A professional counselor made available to the alleged victim and their family to provide immediate care and connect them with counseling and medical care if desired EXPERT INVESTIGATOR Gathers evidence about the alleged abuse and reports their findings to the Review Board and to the bishop REVIEW BOARD A volunteer consultative body who confidentially advises the bishop. Currently at eight members, it is mostly comprised of laypeople (but they cannot be diocesan employees).

It includes a priest and a lawyer (but not the diocesan attorney), and an expert on the issue of child sexual abuse, typically a psychological counselor. Members serve five-year terms, which can be renewed by the bishop. Their role is to review allegations of abuse and to make recommendations to the bishop.

BISHOP Makes the final determination on the accused clergy’s ability to minister in the diocese in accordance with civil law and Church law

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 FROM THE COVER

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION GUIDE Diocesan spending as reported under the Charter VICTIM ASSISTANCE (COUNSELING)

SAFE ENVIRONMENT MEASURES

FY 2017-’18

$7,824

$102,711

FY 2016-’17

$9,540

$112,774

$17,408

FY 2015-’16

COSTS INCURRED FROM LITIGATION

$103,944

$34,801 $10,323

FY 2014-’15

$23,660

$122,596

$95,490

FY 2013-’14

$19,755

$102,211

$403,400

FY 2012-’13

$14,930 $20,249

FY 2011-’12 FY 2010-’11

$35,265

FY 2009-’10 FY 2008-’09

$15,275 $30,760

FY 2007-’08

$10,860

FY 2006-’07

$13,650

FY 2005-’06

$11,880

FY 2004-’05

$14,215

FY 2003-’04

$14,116

FY 2002-’03

$10,892

$82,632 $125,542 $100,077 $82,993

$362,265 $206,667 $33,754 $250,000

$93,638 $76,390 $63,537 $70,937 $88,928

$369,439

1995-2002

NOTE: None of these funds have come from the Diocesan Support Appeal or from parish savings. Diocesan insurance funds and the diocesan general fund were used. This information is published in the Diocese of Charlotte Annual Report, available online since 2012 and published in the Catholic News Herald each fall since 2002.

Diocese found compliant with child protection audit CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has been found in compliance with the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” every year since the charter’s inception.

The diocese has passed independent audits of its child protection procedures every year since 2003.

The external audit – conducted by the Gavin Group in the early years of the charter and now by Stonebridge Business Partners of Rochester, N.Y. – monitors U.S. dioceses’ compliance with the charter, which addresses the Church’s commitment to respond effectively, appropriately and compassionately to cases of abuse of minors by clergy or other Church personnel.

The audit evaluates the diocese’s efforts to ensure the protection of children, including criminal background checks and educational awareness programs on recognizing and preventing abuse.

In the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018 (the most recent figures available), the diocese ran 3,940 background checks, which are required on an ongoing basis for all diocesan employees and volunteers. Since 2002, more than 60,000 background checks have been processed.

Since 2002, more than 51,000 adults have received training in the safe environment awareness program entitled “Protecting God’s Children.”

“Protecting God’s Children” helps adults learn to recognize the warning signs of abuse and the many ways that sexual abuse harms victims, families, parishes and communities. It teaches them appropriate ways to respond to suspicious

behaviors and how they can help to prevent abuse.

Since 2003, the diocese has invested approximately $1.3 million in this training program.

The diocese also provides financial assistance to victims and their families for counseling and other medical services. Since 1995, that has totaled more than $630,000.

Since 2010, the diocese has reported costs incurred in connection with sexual abuse or misconduct lawsuits totaling approximately $1.4 million.

Diocesan self-insurance reserves and the diocesan general fund were used for payment.

None of these funds came from the Diocesan Support Appeal or from parish savings.

— Catholic News Herald

By the numbers $1.3 MILLION: What the Diocese of Charlotte has spent on “Safe Environment” measures, including criminal background checks and “Protecting God’s Children” workshops held across the diocese for clergy, religious, lay employees and lay volunteers MORE THAN $630,000: Assistance to sexual abuse victims for counseling and other medical services $1.397 MILLION: Legal costs incurred from clergy sexual abuse litigation, not including payments made by the diocese’s insurance carrier

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read the Diocese of Charlotte’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People”

At www.charlottediocese.org/human-resources/safeenvironment: Get detailed information on the diocese’s Safe Environment programs

What has the Diocese of Charlotte done to protect children?

1989 Bishop John Donoghue issues among the Diocese of Charlotte’s earliest written policies dealing with how to handle allegations of sexual misconduct by Church personnel. “The Diocese is dedicated to compliance and cooperation with applic­able laws (civil and ecclesiastical) and programs dealing with allega­ tions of inappropriate behavior, especially child abuse, in each jur­isdiction of the Diocese,” he writes. “No person knowing of such an allegation should knowingly fail to report such information to the appropriate authorities in the Diocese, the Bishop or his designee, the Chancellor. No preferential treatment is to be expected, or accepted, in such matters.”

He also expressly notes allegations of inappropriate behavior or child abuse by priests “should be considered serious and must be reported to the Bishop or his designee, the Chancellor,” and he mandates “local reporting regulations must be followed in all details.”

However, the policy does not mandate reporting to the parish or to the public. In fact, it specifically calls for confidentiality except for “those individuals with a sufficient need to know.”

The diocese issues a more extensive written policy: “Concerning Ministry-Related Sexual Misconduct by Church Personnel.”

It establishes criteria for reporting and investigating claims of sexual abuse. The policy is updated in 1999 and again in 2003.

It is also among the first dioceses in the U.S. to create a lay-led review board to serve as a consultative body to the bishop in reviewing reports of sexual abuse.

1995

2002

The U.S. bishops adopt a “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” a set of procedures for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Church personnel. The Charter also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability and prevention of future acts of abuse. It is revised in 2005, 2011 and 2018.

The diocese’s first group of “Protecting God’s Children” facilitators is trained and the first parish session is held in September. Since then more than 200 more facilitators have been trained for the diocese.

The diocese revises its sexual misconduct policy to align with the Charter, and the diocese is audited for the first time according to the Charter’s provisions. The diocese is found in compliance with the Charter.

The diocese also adopts a formalized background check policy and begins processing checks for all employees and volunteers who work with children.

In 2005 the policy is expanded to include all employees and adult volunteers – whether or not they work directly with children.

2003

2004 Charlotte is among 195 dioceses that take part in a national study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, commissioned by the U.S. bishops to investigate the scope of the clergy sex abuse problem from 1950 to 2002.

In his first Ash Wednesday homily after being installed as the fourth bishop of Charlotte, Bishop Peter Jugis expresses “profound sorrow” to all victims of the crime of sexual abuse.”

“Some clergy did not live up to their calling to be an image of Christ the Good Shepherd,” he said. “And this has had a profound effect on our entire Church community.” He asks people to pray “for God’s grace to bring healing to our brothers and sisters who are victims of this misconduct and abuse that has occurred in our Church and for God’s grace to bring healing to the Church.”

In its annual report for fiscal year 2005, the diocese reports holding nearly 300 “Protecting God’s Children” training programs mandated according to the Charter. From 2003 to 2005, approximately 10,000 employees and volunteers go through the training.

2005

The diocese launches “Teaching Safety – Empowering God’s Children,” a Charterapproved series of ageappropriate lesson plans that give children the tools they need to resist someone who intends to do them harm.

2008 The diocese launches “Circle of Grace,” developed by the Archdiocese of Omaha, with lesson plans for K-12 and more for parish use.

In the latest data available about its “Safe Environment” measures, the diocese reports conducting over 4,000 criminal background checks and holding training programs for 3,500 diocesan staff and volunteers.

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com FROM THE COVERI

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CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION GUIDE

Q&A with Amy Ankenbruck, VIRTUS trainer 51,829 The number of adults who have received Safe Environment training, called “Protecting God’s Children,” since 2002

60,892 The number of criminal background checks processed by the diocese since 2002

330 The number of people trained as VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children“ facilitators since 2002

$1,328,910 How much has been spent on Safe Environment programs and training in the diocese since 2004

MINT HILL — Amy Ankenbruck, faith formation coordinator at St. Luke Parish in Mint Hill, has conducted VIRTUS training for the past five years. The Catholic News Herald recently reached out to Ankenbruck to explain more about the VIRTUS program, which is also called “Protecting God’s Children,” and why she participates as a trainer: CNH: What is the VIRTUS program, and why did you become an instructor?

Ankenbruck: The VIRTUS program helps to educate adults about preventing sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults, as well as proper reporting of suspected abuse. As the coordinator of faith formation at St. Luke’s, I felt that it was important to offer this class because I strongly feel that sexual abuse is something that can be prevented, and needs to be reported when it happens.

CNH: How have the training sessions you’ve conducted helped people become more aware of the problem of child abuse, and then be able to help prevent the problem from happening in our diocese?

Ankenbruck: In my training sessions, I see volunteers not only from St. Luke, but also from all over the Diocese of Charlotte. Within the training, volunteers first learn how predators work, and then they learn how to prevent abuse from happening, or how to recognize the signs that abuse has occurred.

The most important part of the training is helping people to feel comfortable reporting inappropriate behavior or abuse. If we know about inappropriate behavior but do nothing, the problem will never be solved.

CNH: What feedback have you heard from people after they finished the training – was it what they expected, and how did they find it useful to them?

Did you know?

The Lay Review Board is volunteer consultative body who confidentially advises the bishop. Currently at eight members, it is mostly comprised of laypeople (but they cannot be diocesan employees). It includes a priest and a lawyer (but not the diocesan attorney), and an expert on the issue of child sexual abuse, typically a psychological counselor. Members serve five-year terms, which can be renewed by the bishop. Their role is to review allegations of abuse and to make recommendations to the bishop.

Current members of the Diocese of Charlotte Review Board Rick Menze — Chairman Mark Foster Kathleen Gunderman Diane Hoefling Rich Hoefling Benne Hutson Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio Tom Touchstone David Harold — Diocese of Charlotte Victim Assistance Coordinator (ex officio) Father Patrick Winslow — Diocese of Charlotte Promoter of Justice (ex officio)

Ankenbruck: The feedback from the training is great. Frankly, many people come to the training feeling that it is something that they are forced to do to serve in ministry, but leave saying that every adult should have this training, so you know there is a positive effect.

People share that they had many misconceptions about sexual predators such as they are always male (false), they are always homosexual (also false, as many are married and have children of their own), or that priestly celibacy leads to molestation. That is a false statement; people need to understand that predators are predators regardless of their vocation or career. A vow of celibacy will not change a person’s sexual orientation or preference.

I’ve also found that the training is useful because I see people applying this training not only in their church environment, but as parents or in their schools. Volunteers are looking for signs of abuse everywhere, and they are willing to report it. That kind of vigilance will make it very hard for predators to harm children and vulnerable adults anywhere.

‘We can’t stand for a child being harmed in any situation, and the only way to stop it is through educating ourselves through programs like VIRTUS.’ Find out more

CNH: What else would you want readers to know about the importance of the VIRTUS program in our diocese?

Ankenbruck: I would want readers to know that we can’t stand for a child being harmed in any situation, and the only way to stop it is through educating ourselves through programs like VIRTUS. VIRTUS helps adults to see how to prevent abuse from ever happening, and see how to report misconduct or abuse when it happens.

For anyone who is upset over stories of abuse and misconduct, I urge them to be part of the solution by participating in VIRTUS training.

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor

At www.charlottediocese.org/human-resources/ safe-environment: Get information about “Protecting God’s Children” (VIRTUS) workshops offered through the Diocese of Charlotte. Designed to help adults recognize and prevent the sexual abuse of children, these workshops are mandatory for all employees and volunteers – whether their work puts them in contact with children or not.

In the Catholic News Herald: Each print edition of the Catholic News Herald also lists upcoming workshops in the Diocesan Calendar of Events (SEE PAGE 4)

Q&A with Rick Menze, chairman of the diocese’s Review Board CHARLOTTE — Rick Menze has served on the Diocese of Charlotte Review Board since 2009, and been chairman since 2012. The Catholic News Herald reached out to him last August seeking his point of view in light of the recent news of sexual abuse and misconduct in the Church: CNH: Why is it important to have a Review Board with laity and others involved?

Menze: The laity on the Review Board offer a different, fresh perspective to often very difficult and troubling situations. And the laity are less likely to be affected by the friendships and loyalties that can exist among a group bound fraternally as our religious are.

CNH: What considerations does the board keep in mind when responding to an allegation and when advising the bishop on a course of action?

Menze: In considering each case, our biggest considerations are sensitivity to the needs of those who are suffering and fairness to all involved.

CNH: How has your service impacted your faith?

Menze: After reading much of the Pennsylvania grand jury report, I am sickened by the abuse that is documented and my heart literally breaks for those abused.

Having interviewed many victims, seen the pain in their eyes and learned, firsthand, how abuse has impacted their lives, I have a different, more visceral sense of the consequences of abuse than most. So,

over time, I have learned to compartmentalize the evil represented by abusive behavior.

Moreover, service on the Review Board reminds me of so much good in our Church and the overwhelming majority of religious who have dedicated their lives to our God and who are, I feel unfairly, deemed by some as guilty by association.

CNH: What else would you like readers to know about the process of responding to abuse allegations in our diocese?

Menze: Several things: Firstly, it is important to know that the Review Board in our diocese functions independently. In almost 10 years of service, I have not felt one ounce of pressure from the Chancery regarding the way an incident is reviewed or a recommendation is rendered. “Respecting the Review Board’s independence” is a part of almost every conversation with the Chancery. Secondly, we believe the incidence of abuse has been reduced in our diocese since the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ directives were issued in 2002. Likely, this is true nationwide as well.

And finally, in my opinion, more needs to be done throughout the Church. Interesting, bishops were specifically excluded from the oversight established by the 2002 USCCB directives.

And recent events tell me that there is a lack of hierarchical discipline which must be corrected and institutional arrogance which must be eradicated throughout the Church before healing can truly occur.

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor

‘Service on the Review Board reminds me of so much good in our Church and the overwhelming majority of religious who have dedicated their lives to our God and who are, I feel unfairly, deemed by some as guilty by association.’

FACEBOOK.COM/ CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD ESPAÑOL

catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 22

Segunda colecta para la educación de los seminaristas se realizará el 20 y 21 de abril

Más de 1,400 personas participaron en la peregrinación juvenil del obispo el 6 de abril en la Abadía de Belmont.

Las delegaciones parroquiales mostraron la gran diversidad existente en nuestra diócesis.

DOREEN SUGIERSKI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘Un propósito sagrado’ Récord de asistencia en la peregrinación juvenil del obispo SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

DOREEN SUGIERSKI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Los jóvenes asistentes se confesaron, oraron, recibieron charlas y participaron activamente en la Adoración y Procesión Eucarística. “Dios está aquí con nosotros... nunca había experimentado esto en mi vida”, dijo Isaac Mejía, estudiante de escuela media.

BELMONT — “Hoy han venido en peregrinación a la Abadía de Belmont. Es un viaje que hicieron con un propósito sagrado en mente”, dijo el obispo Jugis a las más de 1,400 personas que participaron en la peregrinación juvenil del obispo el 6 de abril en la Abadía de Belmont. “¿Cuál es el santo propósito de estar aquí? Es estar con Jesús. Pasar tiempo con Jesús es el propósito de la peregrinación”, señaló durante la homilía de la Hora Santa en el evento que se extendió durante todo el día.

La peregrinación juvenil del obispo, que se realiza cada primavera, está diseñada para proporcionar a los jóvenes de la Diócesis de Charlotte con un día de reflexión, oración, formación, concienciación vocacional y compañerismo. Es un componente del Congreso Eucarístico anual, y el décimo quinto evento anual comparte el tema del Congreso de 2019: “Quédate con nosotros, Señor”, que se basa en las palabras del Evangelio de Lucas (24:29).

Este pasaje es el relato de dos discípulos abatidos en el camino a Emaús, después de salir de Jerusalén tras la crucifixión y muerte de Jesús.

“Cuando se acercaban al pueblo, ¿qué le dicen los discípulos a Jesús? ‘Quédate con nosotros. Es casi de noche’”, señaló el Obispo Jugis. Luego subrayó a los jóvenes que, en cierto sentido, es una oración que pronunciaron a Jesús: una petición. “¿No es maravilloso que Jesús haya decidido estar con nosotros siempre, todos los días,

hasta el final de los tiempos?”, preguntó el Obispo Jugis. “¿No es genial, entonces, porque Jesús siempre está con nosotros, que nunca estás solo porque Jesús prometió estar siempre contigo?”. “¿No es maravilloso que hoy puedas repetir esas palabras que los discípulos dijeron, que están registradas en este Evangelio?, ¿que puedas decir, ‘Quédate con nosotros’? ¿Que puedas decir, ‘Quédate conmigo, Jesús’?

La peregrinación incluyó confesión, oración al mediodía, charlas específicas dirigidas a estudiantes de escuela media y secundaria, así como Adoración Eucarística y Procesión Eucarística al aire libre.

El obispo Jugis también predicó sobre la presencia de Nuestro Señor en la Sagrada Eucaristía durante su homilía de la Hora Santa.

“Echemos un vistazo a la Sagrada Eucaristía. (Esta es) la manera más especial y extraordinaria en que Él se queda con nosotros, estando Él mismo realmente presente en el Santísimo Sacramento”.

“Qué respuesta a la oración cuando le pedimos ‘Quédate con nosotros’... Su presencia real. Jesús dice: ‘Está bien, me quedaré con ustedes’.

“Qué regalo que nos ha dado a cada uno de nosotros”.

Más online En www.catholicnewsherald.com: Vea más fotos y un video con lo más resaltante de la Décimo quinta peregrinación juvenil del obispo

CHARLOTTE — Los parroquianos de la Diócesis de Charlotte tendrán la oportunidad de ayudar en la educación de los futuros sacerdotes a través de su participación económica durante la segunda colecta por la Educación de los Seminaristas que se realizará el 20 y 21 de abril, fin de semana de Pascua.

La necesidad de fondos ha crecido al mismo tiempo que el número de hombres en formación en el seminario de la Diócesis de Charlotte. En la actualidad hay 36 seminaristas, 16 de ellos en tres seminarios mayores y 20 en el seminario universitario San José.

Esta buena noticia es bienvenida, ya que en los últimos 10 años se ha visto un crecimiento notable en la Diócesis de Charlotte.

Hace diez años, había 58.500 familias registradas. En 2018, el número alcanzó a 73.300. Para el año 2025 se estima que la cifra de familias registradas llegará a 86.800.

“Un crecimiento de esta naturaleza es paralelo a la necesidad de sacerdotes que sean pastores de este creciente número de católicos”, dijo el Obispo Peter Jugis en su carta a los parroquianos de la diócesis.

En la próxima década, se espera que 27 sacerdotes alcancen la edad de retiro. Y, mientras que siete sacerdotes se encuentran en servicio activo pese a que han excedido la edad de retiro de 70 años, la necesidad de más sacerdotes que sirvan a la creciente comunidad católica del oeste de Carolina del Norte es cada vez más grande.

“Estamos siendo bendecidos y desafiados. Como saben, nuestro desafío es proveer los fondos necesarios para reclutar, educar y formar a nuestros futuros sacerdotes”, explicó el obispo Jugis.

Más allá de orar por los seminaristas, el Obispo Jugis pidió a la feligresía “prestar especial atención a la suma que entregará en la segunda colecta por la Educación de los Seminaristas el domingo de Pascua”.

— SueAnn Howell, reportera senior

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

23

Vivamos la Semana Santa CONDENSADO DE ACIPRENSA

Padre Fidel Melo

Felices Pascuas de Resurrección

L

a Pascua de Resurrección es la festividad más grande de los cristianos, donde recordamos y celebramos a Cristo resucitado.

Es el inicio de una nueva era en Cristo Jesús, la era o tiempo de la Misericordia y el perdón de Dios en Cristo su Hijo; “porque tanto amó Dios al mundo que le dió a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo el que cree en Él no se pierda sino que tenga vida eterna” (Jn. 3,26).

Sin este extraordinario acontecimiento en donde Cristo vence a la muerte, ninguna otra festividad cristiana tendría sentido porque porque, “si Cristo no resucitó, vana sería entonces nuestra predicación y vana sería también nuestra fe” (1 Cor. 15,14).

Por eso es tan importante para nosotros, pues es el testimonio de que Cristo tiene el Poder y la Gloria, y que usando esa potestad de Dios Él quiere otorgarnos la salvación.

Para nosotros, los fieles creyentes, nos acompaña esta esperanza de que si Cristo resucitó de entre los muertos también nos resucitará en el último día. “Si morimos con Él, también viviremos con Él” (2 Timoteo 2, 11).

Creemos que, en virtud de nuestro bautismo, hemos sido incorporados como miembros de la Iglesia, la familia de Dios, y que por tanto hemos de practicar las obras de la luz, es decir, las buenas obras o el buen actuar, para así corresponder a Jesús, quien en un sublime acto de amor dió su vida por nosotros para que tengamos vida eterna en el reino de Dios, como lo anunció desde el principio de su vida y ministerio público.

Así se ve desde la bodas de Caná, donde en su primera señal milagrosa usa el vino, que bíblicamente es símbolo de las alegrías del reino, y transforma seis jarrones de agua en el mejor vino, para darnos a conocer, desde el principio de su vida y ministerio públicos, que el reino que Él vino a anunciar es un reino donde hay vida en abundancia, vida eterna y de la la mejor, donde ya no habrá dolor, ni pena, ni limitación, ni aflicción, sino vida en plenitud.

Por ello nos invita a todos a vivir con la esperanza de la resurrección, orientando y dirigiendo nuestro diario actuar conforme a los valores del reino.

Felices Pascuas de Resurrección a todos y que la alegría de la resurrección nos inspire y anime siempre a caminar en la luz del resucitado.

EL PADRE FIDEL MELO es el director del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

La Semana Santa es el momento litúrgico más intenso de todo el año. Sin embargo, para muchos católicos se ha convertido solo en una ocasión de descanso y diversión.

Se olvidan de lo esencial: esta semana la debemos dedicar a la oración y la reflexión en los misterios de la Pasión y Muerte de Jesús para aprovechar todas las gracias que esto nos trae.

Para vivir la Semana Santa, debemos darle a Dios el “Cristo que lleva la cruz” de primer lugar El Greco (1580) en exhibición y participar en el Museo Metropolitano de en toda la Arte de Nueva York riqueza de las celebraciones propias de este tiempo litúrgico.

A la Semana Santa se le llamaba en un principio “La Gran Semana”. Ahora se le llama Semana Santa o Semana Mayor y a sus días se les dice días santos. Esta semana comienza con el Domingo de Ramos y termina con el Domingo de Pascua.

Vivir la Semana Santa es acompañar a Jesús con nuestra oración, sacrificios y el arrepentimiento de nuestros pecados.

Asistir al Sacramento de la Penitencia en estos días para morir al pecado y resucitar con Cristo el día de Pascua.

Lo importante de este tiempo no es el recordar con tristeza lo que Cristo padeció, sino entender por qué murió y resucitó. Es celebrar y revivir su entrega a la muerte por amor a nosotros y el poder de su Resurrección, que es primicia de la nuestra.

servicio del mundo y de la Iglesia cuando decide lavar los pies de sus discípulos.

VIERNES SANTO

Esta fecha abre solemnemente la Semana Santa, con el recuerdo de las Palmas y de la Pasión, de la entrada de Jesús en Jerusalén y la liturgia de la palabra que evoca la Pasión del Señor en el Evangelio.

La liturgia de las palmas anticipa en este domingo, llamado Pascua florida, el triunfo de la resurrección; mientras que la lectura de la Pasión nos invita a entrar conscientemente en la Semana Santa de la Pasión gloriosa y amorosa de Cristo el Señor.

La tarde del Viernes Santo presenta el drama inmenso de la muerte de Cristo en el Calvario. La cruz erguida sobre el mundo sigue en pie como signo de salvación y de esperanza.

Con la Pasión de Jesús contemplamos el misterio del crucificado, con el corazón del discípulo amado, de la Madre, del soldado que le traspasó el costado.

Hoy no se celebra la Eucaristía. El altar luce sin mantel, sin cruz, sin velas ni adornos. Los ministros se postran en el suelo ante el altar al comienzo de la ceremonia. Son la imagen de la humanidad hundida y oprimida, y al tiempo penitente que implora perdón por sus pecados.

Van vestidos de rojo, el color de los mártires, de Jesús, el primer testigo del amor del Padre y de todos aquellos que, como Él, dieron su vida por proclamar la liberación que Dios nos ofrece.

JUEVES SANTO

SÁBADO DE GLORIA

DOMINGO DE RAMOS

La liturgia del Jueves Santo es una invitación a profundizar en el misterio de la Pasión de Cristo, ya que quien desee seguirle tiene que sentarse a su mesa y, con máximo recogimiento, ser espectador de todo lo que aconteció en la noche en que iban a entregarlo. Y por otro lado, el mismo Señor Jesús nos da un testimonio de vocación al

Se recuerda el día que pasó entre la muerte y la Resurrección de Jesús. Es un día de luto y tristeza pues no tenemos a Jesús entre nosotros. Las imágenes se cubren y los sagrarios están abiertos. Por la noche se lleva a cabo una Vigilia Pascual para celebrar la SEMANA SANTA, PASA A LA PÁGINA 32

Obtenga Indulgencia Plenaria en Semana Santa CONDENSADO DE ACIPRENSA

Durante la Semana Santa podemos ganar para nosotros o para los difuntos el don de la Indulgencia Plenaria si realizamos algunas de las siguientes obras establecidas por la Santa Sede.

Jueves Santo: Si durante la solemne reserva del Santísimo Sacramento, que sigue a la Misa de la Cena del Señor, recitamos o cantamos el himno eucarístico del “Tantum Ergo” (“Adorad Postrados”).

Si visitamos por espacio de media hora el Santísimo Sacramento reservado en el Monumento para adorarlo.

Viernes Santo: Si el Viernes Santo asistimos piadosamente a la Adoración de la Cruz en la solemne celebración de la Pasión del Señor.

Sábado Santo: Si rezamos juntos el rezo del Santo Rosario.

Vigilia Pascual: Si asistimos a la celebración de la Vigilia Pascual (Sábado Santo por la noche) y en ella renovamos las promesas de nuestro Santo Bautismo.

CONDICIONES

Para ganar la Indulgencia Plenaria además de haber realizado la obra enriquecida se requiere el cumplimiento de las siguientes condiciones: Exclusión de todo afecto hacia cualquier pecado, incluso venial; y confesión sacramental, Comunión eucarística y Oración por las intenciones del Sumo Pontífice. Estas tres condiciones pueden cumplirse unos días antes o después de la ejecución de la obra enriquecida con la Indulgencia Plenaria; pero conviene que la comunión y la oración por las intenciones del Sumo Pontífice se realicen el mismo día en que se cumple la obra.

Es oportuno señalar que con una sola confesión sacramental pueden ganarse varias indulgencias. Conviene, no obstante, que se reciba frecuentemente la gracia del sacramento de la Penitencia, para ahondar en la conversión y en la pureza de corazón. En cambio, con una sola comunión eucarística y una sola oración por las intenciones del Santo Padre sólo se gana una Indulgencia Plenaria.

La condición de orar por las intenciones del Sumo Pontífice se cumple si se reza a su intención un solo Padrenuestro y Avemaría; pero se concede a cada fiel cristiano la facultad de rezar cualquier otra fórmula, según su piedad y devoción.

¿Por qué la Semana Santa cambia de fecha cada año?

El pueblo judío celebraba la fiesta de Pascua en recuerdo de la liberación de la esclavitud de Egipto, el día de la primera luna llena de primavera. Esta fecha la fijaban en base al año lunar y no al año solar de nuestro calendario moderno. Es por esta razón que cada año la Semana Santa cambia de día, pues se le hace coincidir con la luna llena.

En la fiesta de la Pascua, los judíos se reunían a comer cordero asado y ensaladas de hierbas amargas, recitar bendiciones y cantar salmos.

Brindaban por la liberación de la esclavitud.

Jesús es el nuevo cordero pascual que nos trae la nueva liberación del pecado y la muerte.

Lecturas Diarias ABRIL 14-20

Domingo (Domingo de Ramos de la Pasión del Señor): Lucas 19:28-40, Isaías 50:4-7, Filipenses 2:6-11, Lucas 22:14-23:56; Lunes: Isaías 42:1-7, Juan 12:1-11; Martes: Isaías 49:1-6, Juan 13:21-33, 36-38; Miércoles: Isaías 50:4-9, Mateo 26:14-25; Jueves: Éxodo 12:1-8, 11-14, 1 Corintios 11:23-26, Juan 13:1-15; Viernes (Viernes Santo): Isaías 52:13-53:12, Hebreos 4:14-16, 5:79, Juan 18:1, 19:42; Sábado (Vigilia de Pascua): Génesis 1:1, 2:2, Éxodo 14:15-15:1, Éxodo 15:1-6, 17-18, Romanos 6:3-11, Lucas 24:1-12

ABRIL 21-27

Domingo (La Resurrección del Señor): Hechos 10:34, 37-43, Colosenses 3:1-4, Juan 20:1-9; Lunes: Hechos 2:14, 22-33, Mateo 28:8-15; Martes: Hechos 2:36-41, Juan 20:11-18; Miércoles: Hechos 3:1-10, Lucas 24:1335; Jueves: Hechos 3:11-26, Lucas 24:35-48; Viernes: Hechos 4:1-12, Juan 21:1-14; Sábado: Hechos 4:13-21, Marcos 16:9-15

ABRIL 28-MAYO 4

“Resurrección de Cristo” de Noël Coypel (c. 1700)

Domingo (Domingo de la Divina Misericordia): Hechos 5:12-16, Apocalipsis 1:9-13, 17-19, Juan 20:19-31; Lunes (Sta. Catalina de Siena): Hechos 4:23-31, Juan 3:1-8; Martes (San Pío V): Hechos 4:32-37, Juan 3:7-15; Miércoles (San José Obrero): Hechos 5:17-26, Juan 3:16-21; Jueves (San Atanasio): Hechos 5:27-33, Juan 3:31-36; Viernes (Santos Felipe y Santiago): 1 Corintios 15:1-8, Juan 14:6-14; Sábado: Hechos 6:1-7, Juan 6:16-21

24

catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Obispos de Carolina del Norte renovaron pacto luterano-católico PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

Católico, subrayó.

El acuerdo hizo un llamado para que las iglesias luterana y católica oren la una por la otra, colaboren “para un ministerio más efectivo” y designen enlaces entre los ministerios,

SALISBURY — Los tres líderes de las iglesias Católica Romana y Luterana Evangélica en Carolina del Norte fueron todo sonrisas el 29 de marzo, cuando se reunieron para orar juntos y reafirmar su compromiso de unidad cristiana.

El obispo Peter Jugis de la Diócesis Católica de Charlotte, el Obispo Luis Zarama de la Diócesis Católica de Raleigh y el Obispo Timothy Smith del Sínodo de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana de Carolina del Norte en América, firmaron la última renovación del Pacto Luterano-Católico durante un servicio de oración realizado en la BILL WASHINGTON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Iglesia Católica Sagrado (De izq. a der.) El Obispo Peter Jugis de la Diócesis Católica Corazón en Salisbury.

Charlotte, el Obispo Timothy Smith del Sínodo de la Iglesia En los comentarios de Evangélica Luterana de Carolina del Norte en América y el Obispo bienvenida como anfitrión, Luis Zarama de la Diócesis Católica de Raleigh reafirmaron su el obispo Jugis señaló compromiso de unidad cristiana con la firma del pacto Luteranola estatua del Sagrado Católico.

Corazón de Jesús que se Más online alza sobre el altar mayor de la iglesia. Mirando En www.catholicnewsherald.com: Vea un video sobre la hacia ella, el obispo Jugis firma del Pacto Luterano-Católico de 2019 hizo notar que debe haber sido una imagen similar a la que vieron los apóstoles cuando Jesús instituciones y agencias diocesanas y sinodales. resucitado ascendió al cielo.

Copias del convenio fueron enviadas La imagen de Jesús, con sus brazos a todas las iglesias católicas y luteranas extendidos en bendición, nos recuerda del estado para que sean puestas en sus “que siempre estamos bajo la bendición paredes para que todos las lean. protectora de Nuestro Señor”, dijo el La estrecha relación entre los tres obispo Jugis. líderes eclesiales de Carolina del Norte El Pacto Luterano-Católico está fue continuada por sus respectivos inspirado en el Señor resucitado, sucesores, quienes reafirmaron el pacto añadió, y en su oración “para que todos en 1996, 2001 y 2007. sean uno. Como Tú, oh Padre, estás en Monseñor Shugrue dijo que está Mí y Yo en Tí, que también ellos estén orgulloso del legado del Pacto Luteranoen Nosotros, para que el mundo crea Católico, pero también sabe que es que Tú Me enviaste” (Jn 17, 21). un trabajo en progreso, que exige a “Por 450 años, los católicos y los las personas de buena voluntad que luteranos se tiraron piedras unos a reafirmen sus principios hoy. otros. Ahora estamos hablando”, dijo el Este esfuerzo ha sido parte del largo reverendo Carl MacKenzie, un pastor trayecto de la Iglesia hacia la unidad luterano retirado que participó en uno que indicó el Concilio Vaticano II. Hasta de los primeros pactos ecuménicos en ahora, el diálogo ha generado acuerdos Chicago en 1989. “Estoy muy feliz de sobre la doctrina de la justificación, la vernos progresar en este viaje y espero resolución de los conflictos teológicos de que más personas sean atraídas en el Martín Lutero, el reconocimiento de un espíritu de unidad”. bautismo para la remisión del pecado La firma del convenio de 2019 es original y el dogma del Credo Niceno. la última expresión del ecumenismo En 2016, el Papa Francisco se entre las iglesias de Carolina del unió a líderes luteranos en una Norte, un esfuerzo que sus antecesores conmemoración ecuménica conjunta comenzaron en 1991. del 500 aniversario de la publicación de Monseñor Michael Shugrue fue el Martin Lutero de Las 95 Tesis, ocurrida oficial ecuménico de la diócesis de en 1517 y que provocó la Reforma Raleigh en ese entonces. Él recuerda protestante. que los tres obispos, el obispo Joseph El 500 aniversario también fue Gossman de Raleigh, el obispo John conmemorado en 2017 por el Obispo Donoghue de Charlotte y el obispo Jugis, el Obispo Robert Guglielmone Michael McDaniel del Sínodo Luterano, de Charleston, S.C., y los líderes de la desarrollaron una relación personal Iglesia Luterana, Episcopal, Metodista, muy cercana y pasaron mucho tiempo A.M.E. Zion, y las Iglesias Moraviana y juntos. Incluso compartieron un retiro Presbiterianas en Carolina del Norte y de una semana en un monasterio Carolina del Sur. trapense, y poco después se inspiraron para establecer el Pacto Luterano-

Inicia campaña de recaudación de fondos para el Centro de Bellas Artes de MACS SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

CHARLOTTE — El 29 de marzo un sueño de hace 25 años habrá dado un paso adelante para hacerse realidad.

El director de la Escuela Secundaria Charlotte Catholic, Kurt Telford, y los miembros de la Junta del Centro de Bellas Artes de MACS, anunciaron el inicio de la campaña de recaudación de fondos “Expanding the Vision, Honoring the Tradition” durante una asamblea realizada en esa escuela.

El evento marcó el inicio de la fase pública de recaudación de donaciones para la construcción de un edificio de 55.000 pies cuadrados que se levantará al lado de la Escuela Secundaria Charlotte Catholic ubicada en la calle Pineville-Matthews Road.

El Centro de Bellas Artes de MACS ha sido una meta largamente soñada. Desde que la escuela secundaria Charlotte Catholic se mudó a su campus actual en 1995, la comunidad católica ha reconocido la necesidad de un espacio dedicado para las clases de artes escénicas y visuales de los estudiantes de las escuelas católicas locales.

El Centro de Bellas Artes de MACS proveerá educación artística y un espacio para las presentaciones de todos los estudiantes de las escuelas elementales, media y secundaria del sistema de escuelas católicas del área de Mecklenburg. El centro también estará disponible para reuniones de la comunidad católica de la ciudad y toda la comunidad en general.

La campaña “Expanding the Vision, Honoring the Tradition” tiene como objetivo recaudar 8 millones de dólares del costo total del centro. MACS cubrirá los 15 millones restantes del costo total de 23 millones, a través de una tarifa de instalaciones existente que pagan todas las familias con estudiantes en el sistema.

La campaña ha recaudado hasta el momento 3 millones de dólares. La Diócesis de Charlotte y la Fundación de la Escuela Secundaria Charlotte Catholic han brindado un importante respaldo financiero,

entregando cada uno de ellos una donación de 500.000 dólares.

“El Centro de Bellas Artes de MACS en la Escuela Secundaria Charlotte Catholic es una expansión que beneficiará a cada uno de nuestros estudiantes de escuelas católicas, desde kindergarten hasta el grado 12”, dijo Telford. “Podremos ofrecer una educación holística a todos nuestros estudiantes, con un nuevo espacio para las artes escénicas que todos los estudiantes de MACS pueden usar, y un espacio renovado para salones de clase y atletismo en Charlotte Catholic”.

La característica dominante del Centro de Bellas Artes de MACS será un auditorio con capacidad para 650 personas que contará con un sistema de montaje profesional de 60 pies de altura para izar telones, instalaciones de iluminación y otros equipos. El centro también contará con salas de ensayo coral y de banda; estudios de danza, arte y cerámica; laboratorios fotográficos y digitales; espacio para talleres del profesorado; vestidores; un hall, espacio para reuniones y un área de concesionarios.

“Estamos deseosos de dar la bienvenida a todos los que usarán el Centro de Bellas Artes, los estudiantes de la escuela secundaria Charlotte Catholic, así como a nuestros estudiantes de escuela primaria y media, la comunidad católica y nuestra gran comunidad de Charlotte”, dijo Telford.

“Esta expansión ha sido un sueño largamente esperado y estamos muy emocionados de poder hacerlo realidad”.

Los estudiantes de MACS reciben constante reconocimiento local, regional y nacional por su excelencia en las artes.

Mientras que los programas prosperan, el espacio de bellas artes es limitado.

Todas las clases de bellas artes en Charlotte Catholic se mudarán al nuevo edificio, lo que permitirá que la escuela renueve el espacio ganado y lo convierta en salones de clase, una sala de pesas y un nuevo salón de lucha libre.

El objetivo es comenzar la construcción en diciembre de 2020 e inaugurar el Centro de Bellas Artes de MACS en junio de 2022.

— La escuela secundaria Charlotte Catholic contribuyó con información.

Taller de formación en Asheville CANDLER — El Equipo de Pastoral Juvenil del Vicariato de Asheville llevó a cabo un encuentro con el objetivo de formar un mayor número de asesores de Pastoral Juvenil y líderes de grupos de adolescentes. La cita tuvo lugar el sábado 16 de marzo en las instalaciones de la parroquia Santa Juana de Arco, en Candler. La conferencia fue dictada por Alex Moreira, un joven muy bien preparado que reside en Winston-Salem.

La capacitación se enfocó en principios pastorales que se deben de tomar en cuenta a la hora de trabajar con jóvenes.

La jornada, que se desarrolló con mucho entusiasmo, contó con la colaboración del equipo de Retiros de Evangelización de Hombres, quienes se encargaron de preparar los alimentos que se ofrecieron a los participantes. Próximamente se anunciará la segunda etapa de este taller. Juan Antonio García, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Asheville, agradeció la participación de los asistentes y colaboradores.

FOTO CORTESÍA BENITO CONTRERAS

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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PREVENCIÓN DEL ABUSO INFANTIL: LOS ESFUERZOS DE LA DIÓCESIS DE CHARLOTTE

Recomendaciones a los padres para prevenir el abuso infantil Señales de advertencia de abuso en menores n Ya no quiere ver a una persona en particular con la que había sido muy cercana. n Baja del rendimiento académico. n Intenta ocultar el uso de tecnología. n Ya no está interesado en las actividades que solía disfrutar. n Muestra cambios en su personalidad. n Demuestra conducta agresiva o está constantemente molesto(a). n Se aleja de la familia o amigos.

Señales de alerta de los abusadores n Trata que los menores estén solos con él (ella). n Comete violaciones de límites físicos y emocionales. n Guarda secretos con menores. n Entrega abundantes regalos a los menores. n Permite o anima a los menores a no obedecer leyes o reglas. n Está muy interesado en pasar el tiempo con menores. n Mantiene conversaciones inapropiadas o sugerentes con menores. n No cree que las reglas se apliquen a ellos (o no sigue reglas o protocolos).

— Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos

Cómo reportar un caso de abuso Cualquier persona que tenga conocimiento real o causa razonable para sospechar un incidente de abuso sexual relacionado con un miembro del clero debe informar inmediatamente el incidente a las autoridades civiles y/o a la Cancillería de la Diócesis de Charlotte. La Cancillería reportará el incidente a las autoridades civiles correspondientes.

ONLINE: www.charlottediocese. org/human-resources/safeenvironment TELÉFONO: Cancillería al 704-370-6299 o línea de asistencia a las víctimas al 704-370-3363 EMAIL: David Harold, coordinador diocesano de asistencia a las víctimas, david.harold@gmail.com CORREO: Chanciller, Diócesis de Charlotte, P.O. Box 36776, Charlotte, N.C. 28236

El primer paso para proteger a los niños del abuso sexual es educar a los padres sobre la naturaleza del problema. La concientización sobre el abuso sexual infantil, qué es y quién lo comete, abre la puerta a algunos sencillos pasos que los padres pueden dar para proteger a sus niños. La concientización, educación y paternidad responsable da a los niños la mejor herramienta para su defensa, y el niño o niña estará más dispuesto a decirle a un adulto si algo pasa.

Aquí les entregamos algunas acciones prácticas que los padres pueden realizar para ayudar a proteger a sus niños: Debido a su tamaño físico, los adultos tienen poder sobre los niños, y eso incrementa la vulnerabilidad de los niños. Por ejemplo, padres y otras figuras de autoridad enseñan a los niños a que ‘deben de obedecer a los adultos’.

Cuando los niños escuchan este mensaje, pueden entender que significa que todos los adultos tienen la autoridad de decirles a los niños lo que deben de hacer. Si esta es la interpretación de los niños, entonces el mensaje ha creado una vulnerabilidad adicional al niño. Pero, algunos pasos simples y de sentido común pueden ayudar a minimizar esta vulnerabilidad.

Por ejemplo:

1

n No insista a los niños a que abracen o besen a sus amigos o familiares. Dejen que el niño exprese sus afectos en sus propios términos. n Haga saber a sus hijos que sus sentimientos son importantes para usted. Intervenga si nota que su hijo se siente incómodo haciendo algo que un adulto le indica. Dígale que usted lo protegerá de esa incomodidad. Eso no significa necesariamente que usted dejará libre al niño cuando se trata de hacer sus tareas o limpiar su desorden.

2

Aprenda a reconocer y tomar ventaja de momentos propicios para el aprendizaje de sus niños. Esté dispuesto a conversar sobre temas difíciles. La Academia Americana de Pediatría recomienda las siguientes conversaciones apropiadas para la edad de los niños: n De 18 meses a 3 años – comience enseñando a los niños los nombres correctos del cuerpo humano. n De 3 a 5 años – enseñe a los niños sobre las partes privadas del cuerpo y cómo decir ‘no’ a cualquiera que lop toque de una manera que lo haga sentir incómodo. Responda directamente a preguntas relacionadas al sexo. n De 5 a 8 años – converse sobre buenos y malos

tocamientos, así como estar seguros cuando se encuentran lejos de casa. n De 8 a 12 años – enfóquese en temas de seguridad personal. n De 13 a 18 años – converse sobre temas como violaciones, violaciones durante citas, SIDA, enfermedades de transmisión sexual y embarazos no deseados.

3

Los juegos son una gran manera de reforzar las lecciones que enseñó a sus hijos sobre temas de seguridad. Por ejemplo, los niños preguntan siempre a sus padres “¿Y si?”. Utilizando este mismo juego, los padres pueden hacer saber sus preocupaciones y alentar a sus hijos a pensar y tomar decisiones en base a lo que han aprendido.

4

Enseñe a sus niños a decir, “NO” a instrucciones que pudieran empujarlos a hacer cosas que realmente no desean hacer. Refuerce la regla que los niños deben decir “NO” a pedidos o demandas que los hacen sentir incómodos, incluso si creen que deberían obedecer. Una conversación sobre esas reglas puede enseñar al niño que hay ocasiones en las que decir “NO” está bien, y otras en las que está bien estar de acuerdo con las instrucciones. Todo depende del contexto y los padres deben enseñar a sus hijos como discernir entre pedidos apropiados e inapropiados. Por ejemplo, es apropiado seguir la instrucción de “portarse bien” siempre y cuando se de en un contexto apropiado, como, “pórtate bien y no tires cosas a los otros niños”.

Pero también dígale a sus niños que está bien desobedecer el pedido si alguien les dice, “pórtate bien y quítate tu ropita”.

5

Conozca a los adultos que se presentan en los distintos lugares de la comunidad donde los niños se reúnen y juegan juntos. Tenga cuidado con cualquier adulto que parezca más interesado en crear una relación con un niño que con otros adultos. Preste atención cuando un adulto parece favorecer a un niño en particular para una relación o le da atención especial. Las señales de advertencia incluyen golosinas, regalos, vacaciones u otros favores especiales que se ofrecen solo a un niño en especial.

6

Haga visitas inesperadas a la niñera, guardería o escuela de los niños. Al elegir una niñera, guardería o escuela, asegúrese

de que no existan áreas donde los niños jueguen o tengan actividades que estén “fuera de límites” para los padres. n No permita que su niño vaya solo de “vacaciones” con otro adulto que no sea uno de los padres del niño. n No permita que un niño pase la noche solo con un adulto que no sea el padre u otro adulto seguro (Nota: “Adulto seguro” es una designación especial que se utiliza en el Programa VIRTUS de Prevención de Abuso Sexual Infantil para Padres y Tutores para describir a los adultos que han demostrado que se comportan de manera segura cuando interactúan con niños). n Excepto en el caso de una emergencia grave, no permita que un niño viaje solo, incluso por una distancia muy corta, con cualquier adulto que no sea el padre del niño u otro adulto seguro. También debe prohibir que los niños acepten regalos caros de un adulto, especialmente si el regalo proviene de una atención especial para él.

7

Averigüe si los programas escolares o de educación religiosa de la iglesia del niño incluyen un plan de estudios de prevención del abuso sexual. Si no es así, ofrézcase como voluntario para formar parte de un comité para establecer dicho programa. Trabaje con los maestros para revisar los programas disponibles y hacer recomendaciones a los administradores. Hable con otros padres sobre incluir material de prevención del abuso sexual infantil a los programas de seguridad infantil ya existentes.

Los padres pueden hacer una diferencia importante. Sin embargo, sin una organización de apoyo para reunir recursos, expertos y el compromiso de la comunidad, los padres tienen una capacidad limitada para impactar positivamente con programas de prevención del abuso infantil en toda la comunidad. Ahí es donde podemos ayudar.

La Iglesia puede unirse a los padres para construir una sociedad donde los niños ya no corran el riesgo de ser abusados sexualmente, donde quienes han sido víctimas puedan encontrar los recursos y el coraje para sanar y donde todas las personas vivan juntas en relaciones de apoyo y amor.

— Reimpreso con autorización de National Catholic Services, LLC. National Catholic no proporciona soluciones espirituales a problemas individuales ni asesoramiento legal a sus clientes. Busque el consejo de un director espiritual o abogado con respecto a preguntas individuales o asesoramiento legal.

Cada Diócesis Católica en Estados Unidos debe...

Desde 2002, la Iglesia Católica en Estados Unidos sigue una serie de reglas instituídas por los obispos del país y aprobadas por el Vaticano para tratar con el abuso sexual de menores por sacerdotes o diáconos.

Las Normas Esenciales para Políticas Diocesanas/ Eparquiales en el trato con Alegaciones de Abuso Sexual de Menores por Sacerdotes o Diáconos incluyen: n Tener una política por escrito para tratar con el abuso sexual de menores realizado por sacerdotes, diáconos y otro personal de la Iglesia. n Contar con un coordinador de asistencia a las víctimas, quien está disponible para el cuidado pastoral inmediato de personas que reportan haber sido sexualmente abusadas por un sacerdote o diácono cuando eran menores. n Reportar acusaciones concernientes al abuso sexual de menores a las autoridades civiles y cooperar con las investigaciones civiles. n Establecer una Junta de Revisión de al menos cinco personas, mayormente laicas, que aconsejen al Obispo en las alegaciones y la revisión de políticas locales relacionadas con el abuso sexual de menores. n Investigar rápida y objetivamente cualquier

alegato de abuso sexual de menores por sacerdotes o diáconos. n Retirar permanentemente a sacerdotes o diáconos ofensores del ministerio de la iglesia. n Prohibir la transferencia de sacerdotes o diáconos ofensores a otras diócesis o eparquías para asignaciones ministeriales. n Recibir información de antecedentes antes de permitir que sacerdotes y diáconos ejerzan ministerios en una diócesis o eparquía. n Proteger los derechos de los acusadores y acusados.

— Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos

Más online En www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/childand-youth-protection/charter.cfm: consiga más información y lea el texto completo de las Normas Esenciales para Políticas Diocesanas/Eparquiales en el trato con Alegaciones de Abuso Sexual de Menores por Sacerdotes o Diáconos

Our nation 26

catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘Heartfelt prayers,’ praise for Washington’s new archbishop Bishops and other Catholic leaders from around the country issued statements of congratulations to Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory on his April 4 appointment by Pope Francis to head the Archdiocese of Washington: “We thank our Holy Father for the appointment of a gentle pastor and courageous leader in our nation’s capital. I am grateful to the people of Atlanta in offering their dear bishop for this new ministry. Let us pray for Archbishop Gregory and Cardinal (Donald W. Wuerl) as they transition in good service to the Church.” — Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops “On behalf of the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, I extend heartfelt best wishes and prayers to Archbishop Wilton Gregory on his appointment as the next archbishop of Washington. I look forward to working alongside Archbishop Gregory in proclaiming the Gospel and building up the body of Christ in the years ahead.” — Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori (The territory covered by the Washington Archdiocese includes five Maryland counties and the District of Columbia.)

“With great pride, the church in Chicago rejoices in the appointment of our native son, Archbishop Wilton Gregory, as the seventh archbishop of Washington. Known to us, and especially his brother priests in this local church, as a proven pastor and devoted friend, we offer Archbishop Gregory our heartfelt congratulations and warmest best wishes.” — Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archdiocese of Chicago (Archbishop Gregory was ordained a priest of the Chicago Archdiocese May 9, 1973; he was a Chicago auxiliary bishop from 1983 to 1993.)

“Archbishop Gregory is a caring, faithful, strong and smart leader at a time when Washington needs all these qualities. An African American archbishop in the nation’s capital is a powerful sign of hope in the face of racial divisions and injustice in our nation and in a city, region and diocese with a vibrant African American community. No one has done enough on clerical sexual abuse, but Archbishop Gregory showed determination and commitment in leading the effort to adopt the Dallas charter, zero tolerance and lay review boards in 2002. Archbishop Gregory is a pastor who can help us deal with our hurt and anger and a leader who can help renew our sense of mission.” — John Carr, director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University.

— Catholic News Service

After unrest and anger, new Washington archbishop wants to rebuild trust RHINA GUIDOS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

HYATTSVILLE, Md. — Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, set to become the new head of the Archdiocese of Washington, promised to serve with truth, love and tenderness in a region where he acknowledged “unrest and anger,” after the downfall of former Washington Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick and the Church’s current sex abuse scandal.

“I want to offer you hope.

I will rebuild your Gregory trust,” Archbishop Gregory said during an April 4 news conference. “I cannot undo the past, but I sincerely believe that together we will not merely address the moments we’ve fallen short or failed outright, but we will model for all the life and teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and we will reclaim the future for our families, for those who will follow us. That is my greatest, indeed, it is my only aspiration.”

He will be installed as the seventh archbishop of Washington May 21 at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.

Archbishop Gregory was introduced to media gathered for the announcement at the Archdiocese of Washington’s pastoral center in Hyattsville by Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl. Pope Francis accepted Cardinal Wuerl’s resignation as Washington’s archbishop in October and named him apostolic administrator. The cardinal, now 78, had submitted his resignation, as is mandatory, to the pope when he turned 75, but it had not been accepted until last fall.

Cardinal Wuerl had faced pressure to resign following an Aug. 14, 2018, grand jury report detailing past sexual abuse claims in six Pennsylvania dioceses, which showed a mixed record of how he handled some of the cases when he was bishop in Pittsburgh from 1988 until 2006.

Cardinal Wuerl also recently faced

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questions about what and when he knew about past accusations involving McCarrick, who was stripped by Vatican officials of his clerical status Feb. 16 after months of accusations that he may have sexually molested minors and abused seminarians at various times and places in his 60 years as a priest.

Cardinal Wuerl remains apostolic administrator until the scheduled May 21 installation of Archbishop Gregory, who offered kind words for his predecessor while acknowledging shortcomings.

“It’s difficult to come into a situation where there is unrest and anger,” Archbishop Gregory said. “I’ve known Donald Wuerl for over 40 years. He is a gentleman. He works very hard for the Church. He’s acknowledged that he’s made mistakes. That’s a sign of the integrity of a man. If I can shed light on what I think we need to do in response to some of the mistakes that he’s acknowledged and asked forgiveness for, I’ll do that.”

As he begins his tenure in Washington, following a 14-year stint in Atlanta, Archbishop Gregory said he wants to spend time “in the field.”

“For the foreseeable time, I’m not going to spend too much time in the office,” he said. “I have to be in the parishes, I have to meet with my priests. Why? Because I can’t be their archbishop if I don’t give them an opportunity to tell me what’s in their hearts, to come to know me and to establish a bond.”

He said he wanted to communicate to them his support, affection and yearning to work for Catholics of the region. He acknowledged that Washington, as the country’s seat of political power, may ask for political savvy from its archbishop.

“I see this appointment to be the pastor of the Archdiocese of Washington, I was not elected to Congress and so I intend to speak and promote the Church’s moral and doctrinal teaching that comes with the job, but I think my involvement with the political engines that run here has to be reflected through that prism,” he said. “I’m here as pastor. The pastor must speak about those things that are rooted in the Gospel but I’m not going to be at the negotiating tables. That’s not my place. My place is in the pews with my people.”

Archbishop Gregory, 71, who will become the first African American to head the

Washington Archdiocese, fielded questions about civil rights icon the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.; how he would handle dissatisfaction in the pews; about him becoming Catholic when he was a teenager; and about clericalism and its role in the sex abuse scandal. He spoke of advice he had received from a priest before he went to study in Rome.

The priest told him that if he went to Rome, he would face three temptations.

“You will face the temptation for selfaggrandizement, temptation for pleasure and the temptation for power,” Archbishop Gregory recalled. “And he said the most damaging temptation and seductive is that for power and I think so much of what we are facing now was a misuse of power, an abuse of power, clerical power. Power that was (used) in too many cases to dominate and destroy lives.”

In some cases, clericalism manifested itself by “circling the wagons, so the episcopacy wouldn’t call one another to task,” he said.

“I think this moment has shown the folly of that approach to episcopal governance and episcopal collegiality,” he said.

And while “technical and structural responses” are necessary to combat the abuse scandal the Church is facing, “they alone will never heal the heart of our people,” he said.

In the Archdiocese of Washington, which he called “home to the poor and the powerful,” he promised transparency and truth and said that during a time when the Church had given the people in the pews many reasons to leave, “I want to give them a few reasons to stay.”

“I want to assure the people that I will be honest with them,” he said. “I’m an ordinary human being and I have to acknowledge those things that I simply can’t handle perfectly or even at all, but I always have to tell you the truth. And that’s been a theme here. I have to tell you the truth and I will.”

Rebuilding trust during a moment fraught with challenges throughout the Church is not an easy task, he said, but added that he would rely on the grace of God to do so at the local level.

“When my service to you has ended, you will know I came to serve you with love, truth and tenderness in the name of the Lord Jesus,” he said.

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In Brief Lori: Church has many reasons to get right response to child sexual abuse WASHINGTON, D.C. — A week into National Child Abuse Protection Month, Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori visited the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops chapel April 8 to celebrate midday Mass for conference employees and reflect on the Church’s work to develop policies and procedures to prevent child abuse by those within the Church. He recognized that those who work at USCCB headquarters have a keen desire “to do everything possible to address on an ongoing basis the sexual abuse crisis that has roiled the Catholic Church for such a very long time.”

The “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” and the related “Essential Norms” implementing the charter legislatively passed by the U.S. bishops in 2002 were “a major step forward,” the archbishop said.

“Nevertheless, all of us admit that much more still needs to be done, especially in the areas of episcopal transparency and accountability.

There are many motivations for wanting to get this right,” he said.

USCCB pro-life committee chair urges end to ‘barbaric’ abortions WASHINGTON, D.C. — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee called on Congress to pass a measure that would stop

“the barbaric practice of late-term abortion.”

He urged Congress to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which was the focus of a hearing April 9 by the Senate Judiciary Committee. “This bill draws the public’s attention to the shameful reality that the United States is one of only seven nations worldwide that allows the barbaric practice of late-term abortion, when a child likely feels pain and might even live outside the womb with appropriate medical assistance,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

“Such abortion procedures after the middle point of pregnancy also pose serious physical dangers to women,” he said in a statement.

“With the vast majority of Americans strongly supporting a ban on late-term abortions, it is time for Congress to pass this bill.” He added, “I also pray that consideration of this bill moves our country closer to recognizing all unborn babies as legal persons worthy of our love and respect.”

Former seminarian alleges sex assault by former W.Va. bishop WHEELING, W.Va. — A former altar server, seminarian and secretary to Bishop Michael J. Bransfield has filed a civil lawsuit alleging that the former bishop of Wheeling-Charleston sexually assaulted him. The alleged assault occurred in 2014, but fearing retribution for himself, his parents and family because of “treatment and ostracism of once highly regarded church members who had dared to criticize or speak ill of the Catholic Church or Bishop Bransfield,” the suit alleges, he did not report the incident at the time. The suit was filed in Ohio County Circuit Court March 22 by attorney Robert B. Warner of Charleston, W.Va., and lists the complainant as “J.E.” Also named as defendants are the U.S.

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Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and “John Does” associated with the diocese. The suit alleges Bishop Bransfield sexually abused, molested, fondled and assaulted J.E. and other adolescent and “adult” males during his employment as bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

Bishop Bransfield denied allegations in a recent interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer.

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ongoing commitment to the rigorous policies and practices in place to ensure the absolute protection of those young people entrusted to our care,” he said.

— Catholic News Service

Diocese responds to lawsuit, ‘steadfastly’ affirms child protection policy WHEELING, W.Va. — The Diocese of WheelingCharleston is addressing a lawsuit filed by the state “with utmost seriousness,” while “steadfastly affirming” the diocese’s rigorous child protection standards, said the diocese’s apostolic administrator, Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrissey announced March 19 a civil suit against the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, the diocese’s former bishop. He alleges the defendants violated the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act by failing “to disclose to consumers of its educational and recreational services that it employed priests and laity who have sexually abused children.” Pointing to its “rigorous Safe Environment Program, the foundation of which is a zero-tolerance policy for any cleric, employee or volunteer credibly accused of abuse,” the Diocese of WheelingCharleston in a statement reacting to the suit said it “strongly and unconditionally rejects” Morrissey’s assertion that it is not wholly committed to the protection of children. On March 29, Archbishop Lori addressed the issue in a letter to the priests, religious and laity of the statewide diocese. “We are addressing this lawsuit appropriately and with the utmost seriousness while steadfastly affirming our

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Our world 28

catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Church, world need the gifts, enthusiasm of young people, pope says CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — The life of a young person and the vocation to which God calls each one is “holy ground” that pastors and parents must respect, nurture and encourage, Pope Francis wrote in a new apostolic exhortation.

“Christus Vivit” (“Christ Lives”), the pope’s reflections on the 2018 Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment, is a combination letter to young people about their place in the Church and a plea to older members of the Church not to stifle the enthusiasm of the young, but to offer gentle guidance when needed.

In the document, released April 2, Pope Francis talked about how the sexual abuse crisis, a history of sexism and an overly narrow focus on just a handful of moral issues can keep young people away from the Church.

But he also said many young people want to know and understand the teachings of the Church and, despite what many people think, they long for and need times of silent reflection and opportunities to serve their communities.

“A Church always on the defensive, which loses her humility and stops

listening to others, which leaves no room for questions, loses her youth and turns into a museum,” Pope Francis wrote. “How, then, will she be able to respond to the dreams of young people?”

Young people have a natural desire to improve the life of the Church and the world around them, the pope said. If older people in the Church will let the young people try, it will keep the Church youthful, too.

“Let us ask the Lord to free the Church from those who would make her grow old, encase her in the past, hold her back or keep her at a standstill,” Pope Francis wrote.

“But let us also ask Him to free her from another temptation: that of thinking she is young because she accepts everything the world offers her, thinking that she is renewed because she sets her message aside and acts like everybody else.”

The core of the pope’s message to young people was that they remember they are loved by God and saved by Jesus, who continues to live and act in the world and in their lives.

“His love is so real, so true, so concrete, that it invites us to a relationship of openness and fruitful dialogue,” even when one is angry with God, the pope said.

“He does not get upset if you share your questions with Him. He is concerned when you don’t talk to Him, when you are not

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‘Young people need to be approached with the grammar of love, not by being preached at.’

— Pope Francis open to dialogue with Him.” Drawing on the final documents from the synod and from a presynod gathering of young people in Rome, Pope Francis urged parishes and dioceses to rethink their young and young adult programs and to make changes based on what young people themselves say they want and need.

“Young people need to be approached with the grammar of love, not by being preached at,” he said. “The language that young people understand is spoken by those who radiate life, by those who are there for them and with them. And those who, for all their limitations and weaknesses, try to live their faith with integrity.”

Directly addressing young people, he said, “Take risks, even if it means making mistakes. Don’t go through life anaesthetized or approach the world like tourists. Make a ruckus!”

And, he told them, reach out to other young people, do not be afraid to mention Jesus and to invite friends to church or a church-sponsored activity.

“With the same love that Christ pours out on us,” the pope said, “we can love Him in turn and share His love with others in the hope that they too will take their place in the community of friendship He established.”

Youth ministry cannot be elitist or focused only on the teens and young adults already active in the Church’s life, he said. It must be “a process that is gradual, respectful, patient, hopeful, tireless and compassionate,” as Jesus was when He walked with the disciples on the road to

Emmaus.

Parents, pastors and spiritual guides must have “the ability to discern pathways where others only see walls, to recognize potential where others see only peril. That is how God the Father see things; He knows how to cherish and nurture the seeds of goodness sown in the hearts of the young.”

“Each young person’s heart should thus be considered ‘holy ground,’ a bearer of seeds of divine life, before which we must ‘take off our shoes’ in order to draw near and enter more deeply into the mystery.”

A long section of the document is focused on discerning one’s vocation, which, he said, always is a call to serve God and serve others, but always in a unique way.

Discovering one’s vocation, he said, “has to do with finding our true selves in the light of God and letting our lives flourish and bear fruit.”

For most young people, that will mean marrying, forming a family and working, the pope said.

“Within the vocation to marriage we should acknowledge and appreciate that ‘sexuality, sex, is a gift from God. It is not taboo. It is a gift from God, a gift the Lord gives us,’” he wrote. Sexuality “has two purposes: to love and to generate life. It is passion, passionate love. True love is passionate. Love between a man and a woman, when it is passionate, always leads to giving life. Always. To give life with body and soul.”

Pope Francis also encouraged young people not to dismiss out of hand the fact that God may be calling them to priesthood or religious life.

God’s call to each person is individual, made-to-measure just for him or her, the pope said, so discovering that call can be done only with calm, silence, prayer and the wise help of someone who truly knows how to listen and ask the right questions.

A vocation, he said, is a gift that “will help you live to the full and become someone who benefits others, someone who leaves a mark in life; it will surely be a gift that will bring you more joy and excitement than anything else in this world. Not because that gift will be rare or extraordinary, but because it will perfectly fit you. It will be a perfect fit for your entire life.”

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

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“indicates that the understanding of the critical role of safeguarding in the life and mission of the Church is maturing. It also indicates that much remains to be done.”

In Brief

Cardinal defends Vatican-China agreement amid criticism

Papal commission for protection of minors meets in Rome

VATICAN CITY — Critics of an agreement signed between the Vatican and the Chinese government must be patient and not quick to judge a deal that is meant to protect religious freedom, the Vatican secretary of state said. After addressing a symposium on religious freedom April 3, Cardinal Pietro Parolin told journalists that the agreement was signed “to advance religious freedom in the sense of finding (some) normalization for the Catholic community” as well as other religious minorities. “Our hope is that it will help, not limit, religious freedom. But we should be patient,” he said, “I know that people want things immediately. History was not built in one day; history is a long process. And I think we have to put ourselves in this perspective.”

Cardinal Parolin was among several guest speakers at the “Stand Together to Defend International Religious Freedom” symposium hosted by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See. Also present was Callista Gingrich, U.S. ambassador to the Holy See.

VATICAN CITY — Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley told members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors how much Pope Francis appreciated their efforts, particularly their proposal for a summit of leaders of the world’s bishops’ conferences and for the recently released safeguarding guidelines for Vatican City and the Roman Curia. The commission met in Rome April 4-7 for its 10th plenary assembly, which was opened by its president, Cardinal O’Malley, archbishop of Boston. The cardinal “greeted members on behalf of the Holy Father” and conveyed the pope’s “appreciation for the commission’s assistance in initially proposing both the February meeting with presidents of bishops’ conferences on the protection of minors and the recently published safeguarding guidelines and norms for Vatican City State, the Vicariate for Vatican City and the Roman Curia,” according to a press release from the commission April 8. It said feedback from the Feb. 21-24 meeting

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Steve Grunow

T

he Book of Genesis is a book of beginnings, a book of origins. From it we learn the beginning of creation, of humanity, and of the Israelites.

The Israelites originate as a people from the great Old Testament patriarch Abraham and his wife Sarah. Abraham is called forth by God from the life he knew and sets out on a journey that God promises will take him to lands that will become the homeland for his descendants who, God promises, will be a great nation “as numerous as a stars in the heavens.”

In the Scripture for April 5, we read that this promise is literally cut in a sacrifice and becomes a covenant between God and Abraham. A covenant is best understood for our purposes as a relationship, a relationship that goes much deeper than merely a legal contract. The sacrifice indicates the depth of the relationship between God and Abraham; it is a matter of life and death.

In the aftermath of this sacrifice, Abraham has a frightening mystical experience, where God makes His presence known to him, a presence Abraham encounters as a “deep terrifying darkness.”

It is in that terrifying darkness that Abraham comes to terms with the unknowability of God, for the God of the Old Testament is vividly mysterious, an indication that He cannot be confined like the gods of the pagans to a place or manipulated through spells and incantations. The God of the Bible does not need the sacrifices that are offered and it is not our sacrifices or worship that sustain Him, as they did the gods of Abraham’s ancestors. Instead, the God of the Bible is the subverter of magic or controlled for our own purposes. His sacrifices are accepted as signs and symbols of the relationship He has with His people, and He needs none of them to be Who He is. But we need these sacrifices to remind us who we are, and that there is no true love or relationship without sacrifice. The deep mystery of this God, the one true God, overtakes Abraham with terror.

But this is not the only reason for Abraham’s terror.

Abraham experiences for himself the vulnerability of genuine faith. We Christians too often pay lip service to faith, making it merely an emotional comfort, or using faith as a declaration of our tribal identity. But while comfort might come to us as a result of faith, and faith can and should order our way of life, it is not in the superficiality of our emotions or our identity that makes for authentic faith.

Faith is most raw and real when, like the experience of Abraham, we come to terms with the reality of God rather than the idols of Him that we so often create out of our desires and fears. Further, faith is authentic and true when, like Abraham’s faith, it is professed as an act of trust in promises that remain outside of our ability to manipulate or control and that have indefinite and unexpected outcomes.

Faith is not magic; it is not a way of currying favor with God so that we can get what we want. Faith is an expression of our

Lent and the challenge of the Gospel relationship with God, an act of trust, that what He has promised will be fulfilled.

We Christians profess our faith in Christ and the promises He makes to us concern not just our lives in this world, but beyond this world – beyond our death. We become, through this act of faith, His chosen people, a new kind of Israelite. And it is through us, incorporated as spiritual descendants of ancient Abraham, that God’s promises to Abraham are fulfilled.

‘Faith is not magic; it is not a way of currying favor with God so that we can get what we want.’

This act of faith originates in the terrifying darkness of the Cross and it is cut in the sacrifice of His Body and His Blood. We experience this in the Mass, for the Mass is not just our community gathered to pray or a cultural pageant; rather, the Mass is the Church, the new Israelites gathered together in an encounter with the one, true, and living God, who makes Himself known to us in the mystery of the Blessed Sacrament and gives His sacrifice to us as a new covenant, a new relationship that God presents to us with the gravity and severity of a matter of life and death – His life and death, our life and death. It is through this life and death that God’s promises to us in Christ are fulfilled.

And in this life and death there is mystery and there is terror, and there is also the presence of the living and true God. The second Scripture for April 5 is an excerpt from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, and in this text the Apostle Paul reminds us of the promises of Christ: that in Christ we are given a life beyond the life that we have now; that this life, this world, indeed our very bodies are not ends in themselves, but are a means by which God will grant to us an even greater life, even greater world, and even greater bodies than what we currently possess.

We Christians call this heaven, which is not merely a place, but the event of our transformation from death to glory. It is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead that engenders in us trust that God in Christ will accomplish for us what He revealed in His body risen from the dead.

St. Paul also testifies that this act of faith in Christ makes us different, and this difference should be evident in the manner that we live, in our unique way of life. Christians are not meant to be like everyone else, but also hold to specific values and behaviors that mark us as being different from the cultures in which we live, values that are meant to indicate to ourselves and others that our faith is not in politics, economics, or culture, but in

Christ.

This is unsettling to many people; indeed, it is unsettling to many Christians.

The great temptation in every age of the Church’s life is accommodate ourselves to the cultures in which we live, to make ourselves acceptable and our way of life no different than the cultural, political or economic expectations of our time and place. We Christians do this out of fear or frustration or even because we think it makes our faith more acceptable to those who might refuse or misunderstand us. But whatever our reasons and justifications, St. Paul insists that we lose much – indeed, the world loses much – if we Christians are unwilling to be who Christ intends for us to be.

Finally, the disciples of the Lord Jesus witness an extraordinary revelation.

Christ reveals His glory, which is the glory of God. Remember, Christians, the great mystery of Christ is not the revelation of a spiritual teaching or political reform, but the mysterious revelation that God has accepted for Himself a human nature and lived a real, human life. This is who the Lord Jesus is – not a social reformer or religious guru. Christ is God in our flesh; God in a human body; God become man.

Jesus Christ is God who meets us face to face.

The mystical experience of Abraham from the Book of Genesis foreshadows what today’s Gospel describes; Christ’s disciples take the place of Abraham, and God in Christ reveals Himself not in darkness but in radiant light.

Christians are meant to be witnesses to the truth of God in Christ. This truth is not a concept or an idea, but it is testimony to his person, testimony to who Jesus Christ really and truly is. Christians are meant to be the ones who God has assigned the mission of inviting the world to know who He really and truly is and sharing with others the gifts God gives to us in Christ.

The greatest of these gifts is a relationship, a covenant with Christ that He gives to us in the Church.

If we Christians are to be true to who God intends for us to be, then we must set about knowing Jesus, and knowing Him not just as a significant historical figure, but as a living, divine person, as the one, true God. There is no other Jesus than this.

We might be more comfortable with a Jesus of our own making, or a Jesus much less than who He reveals Himself to be. But the truth of Christ’s revelation is not meant to make us comfortable, but to make us holy; to transform us; to make us who God intends for us to be.

If we do not know Christ, we cannot truly be Christians. If we cannot accept Christ for who He really and truly is, then we will not accept the way of life He offers.

Knowing and accepting Jesus for who He really and truly is – this is the challenge the Gospel places before us today.

FATHER STEVE GRUNOW is the CEO of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. Read more on their website, www. wordonfire.org.

David Hains

After a career spent searching for facts and knowledge, it’s time for a new goal

F

ifty-six years ago I got my first job.

I was a newspaper boy hurling tomahawk folded editions of The Standard Star on front porches in New Rochelle, N.Y., earning about $9 a week. My final job, as director of communication for the Diocese of Charlotte, includes some supervisory oversight of the Catholic News Herald.

It’s odd that after all these years I am still delivering the news. Fortunately, this last job pays better than my first.

My career was spent almost entirely in communications. The few exceptions were odd jobs during college, video production and some acting – more on that later.

I spent a good deal of my career in the practice of journalism, mostly as a TV news reporter. This was exciting and fast paced, and enabled me to meet luminaries like Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Journalism at its core is the search for facts.

The next important turn of my career was in education when I was the spokesman for the CharlotteMecklenburg School System. This communications job required me to develop an understanding of what it takes to educate children. Teachers and principals, I learned, are a dedicated lot who start out with 5-year-olds who can’t read and through attention and in some cases, detention, turn them into productive citizens. Education at its core is the search for knowledge.

From education I moved onto banking where I ran an in-house television network producing training videos for a local bank. Banking was both baffling and simple. The baffling part was the complicated ways in which a bank accounts for the myriad funds entrusted to it. The simple part is that banking, at its core, is the search for money.

My last and favorite career move, and the one which lasted the longest, was working for the Catholic Church. To be a communicator in the Church is to have an understanding of Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church, as well as to grasp the culture of, in my case, the Charlotte diocese.

Getting paid to learn and understand the history, theology and beauty of a 2,000-year-old institution and trying to convey Catholicism via various communication channels has been HAINS, SEE PAGE 32

April 12, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

31

Bobby Speers

Satan tweets – should we be concerned?

O

n Jan. 7, 2019, Rolling Stone columnist Daniel Kreps gave this report: “Upon winning best actor in a motion picture comedy or musical for his portrayal of former vice president Dick Cheney, Christian Bale told the audience and the millions watching at home, ‘Thank you to Satan for giving me inspiration on how to play this role.’ Bale also said Cheney was ‘absolutely charisma-free and reviled by everybody.’” Soon after that acceptance speech, the Church of Satan recognized Bale’s gratitude on Twitter: “To us, Satan is a symbol of pride, liberty and individualism, and it serves as an external metaphorical projection of our highest personal potential. As Mr. Bale’s own talent and skill won him the award, this is fitting. Hail Christian! Hail Satan!”

Given the relaxed faith of many people today, a typical Catholic would probably smile and describe him as a fictitious character promoted by marketing gurus to sell more books or by clergy to scare us. Yet, Satan has an active church – and it is active on social media. Should we be concerned?

Right after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Mt 3:16-17) Jesus’ ministry was set in motion. Instead of going into the temple to teach and preach the kingdom of Heaven was at hand, the Spirit took Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards He was hungry. The tempter approached and said to Him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.’” (Mt 4:1-3) The cunning creature waited until Jesus was weak from hunger, hoping our Savior would sin by changing the stones into bread.

After Satan’s third and last attempt, Jesus told him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.’ ” (Mt 4:9).

Jude 1:9 is another example on how to shun the tempter: “Yet the archangel Michael, when he argued with the devil in a dispute over the body of Moses, did not venture to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him but said, ‘May the Lord rebuke you!’ ” If Satan tried to tempt Christ and an archangel, wouldn’t he also be after Christ’s Church?

The Apostle James also knew Satan was an adversary: “So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jm 4:7) The Book of Job has fascinating dialogue. In Job 1:6-7, God and the satan have a brief conversation: “One day, when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, the satan also came among them. The Lord said to the satan, ‘Where have you been?’ Then the satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Roaming the earth and patrolling it.’ ” Take note: the accuser told God that he was roaming and patrolling the earth.

This verse connects to 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour.

Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.”

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, Satan was watching and waiting to strike: “Now the feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was drawing near, and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to put Him to death, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered into Judas, the one surnamed Iscariot, who was counted among the Twelve, and he went to the chief priests and temple guards to discuss a plan for handing Him over to them. They were pleased and agreed to pay him money. He accepted their offer and sought a favorable opportunity to hand him over to them in the absence of a crowd.” (Lk 22:1-6) Jesus knew Satan entered into Judas’ heart: “When he had said this, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom He meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to Him, ‘Master, who is it?’

Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.’ So He dipped the morsel and (took it and) handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After he took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ (Now) none of those reclining at table realized why He said this to him.” (Jn 13:21-28) Should we be concerned about Satan and his work on this earth? Yes, but the Apostle Paul gives us the right advice.

St. Paul exhorted the Church at Ephesus knowing the Church was at war with supernatural powers and how they could overcome this spiritual battle: “Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from His mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.

So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:11-16) BOBBY SPEERS is an author who lives in Hickory.

Letter to the editor

Learn more about this pro-life saint Much to my disappointment, many Catholics do not know about a modern-day pro-life saint, St. Gianna Beretta Mollo, whose feast day we celebrate on April 28. She is the patron saint of mothers, physicians and unborn children. She is called the “Martyr of Maternal Love.”

St. Gianna’s story is a beautiful one. She was an Italian physician, working mother and loving wife. The sacrament of marriage and the Christian family were very important to her. She is a heroic modern day mother and pro-life saint, teaching us through her life as a faithful Catholic, a successful working woman, a devoted wife, and a loving mother of four children.

Gianna married Pietro Mollo in 1955 and they had three children. In 1961, she became pregnant with her fourth child. During this pregnancy, Gianna developed a uterine fibroid. Her doctors gave her three options: abortion, hysterectomy or risky surgery to remove the tumor from her uterus. The surgery would allow her to continue the pregnancy, the doctors said, but it would probably put her own life in danger. She chose the last option, which saved her unborn child.

After a complicated pregnancy, Gianna gave birth to a daughter, Gianna Emanuela. One week later, on April 28, St. Gianna died from sepsis at the age of 39. Her last words were “Jesus, I love you.”

On May 16, 2004, she was canonized by St. John Paul II. Her husband and children attended the canonization, making it the first time that a husband ever witnessed his wife’s canonization.

Learn about St. Gianna at www.saintgianna.org, and then spread the word about this modern-day pro-life saint!

PATRICIA A. RODITE is a member of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte.

Most-read stories on the web Through press time on April 10, 6,071 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of1 0,249 pages. The top five headlines in April so far have been: n Bishop Jugis responds to statements from abuse survivors’ group....................................................489 n Bishop, Belmont Abbey apologize as chancellor steps down over misconduct finding................. 326 n Record number of youth attend Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage April 6...................................................... 251 n 3 CCHS students named National Merit Finalists.........................................................................................191 n Co-creators of pro-life film say God planned film ‘for such a time as now’......................................... 156

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catholicnewsherald.com | April 12, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

SEMANA SANTA VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 23

Resurrección de Jesús. Vigilia quiere decir ‘la tarde y noche anteriores a una fiesta’. En esta celebración se acostumbra bendecir el agua y encender las velas en señal de la Resurrección de Cristo, la gran fiesta de los católicos.

DOMINGO DE RESURRECCIÓN

Es el día más importante y más alegre ya que Jesús venció a la muerte y nos dio la vida. Esto quiere decir que Cristo nos da la oportunidad de salvarnos, de entrar al Cielo y vivir siempre felices en compañía de Dios.

Pascua es el paso de la muerte a la vida.

Este es el día en que incluso la Iglesia más pobre se reviste de sus mejores ornamentos, es la cima del año litúrgico. Es el aniversario del triunfo

HAINS FROM PAGE 30

inspiring, challenging and fun.

What I have learned here is that the Church at its core is the search for facts and knowledge, but most importantly it is the search for truth. Christianity is the glue of civilization and despite the serious challenges that we currently face in the Church, that glue will seep through the collective disappointment we currently have in some of our leaders and will continue to bind us all to Christ’s mission of spreading the Good News.

Now for the acting. One of the first things I did with some of the money that I earned on my paper route was to go to the movies. In the

de Cristo. Es la feliz conclusión del drama de la Pasión y la alegría inmensa que sigue al dolor.

Este es el día de la esperanza universal, el día en que en torno al resucitado, se unen y se asocian todos los sufrimientos humanos, las desilusiones, las humillaciones, las cruces, la dignidad humana violada, la vida humana no respetada.

Cronograma de celebraciones en la Catedral San Patricio Domingo 14 de abril, Domingo de Ramos, 11 a.m.: Recuerdo de la entrada de Jesús en Jerusalén y la multitud que lo saludó.

Martes 16 de abril, Misa anual del crisma, 10 a.m.: El obispo bendecirá los aceites sagrados utilizados para los sacramentos en cada parroquia de la diócesis para el próximo año. Casi todos los sacerdotes de la diócesis se reunirán aquí para renovar sus promesas sacerdotales y escuchar un mensaje especial de su obispo.

Jueves 18 de abril, Misa de la Cena del Señor, 7

balcony of the darkened RKO theatre in New Rochelle, I was mesmerized by the huge images of Fred MacMurray and his flying car in “The Absent-Minded Professor.” I set a goal for myself to someday be in a movie, preferably as a star. I sort of attained this goal during a brief acting career in the early 1990s when I was cast in the movie “Children of the Corn II, the Final Sacrifice.” I don’t recommend paying to see this film, but if it pops up on a cable channel my scenes are in the first five minutes of the film; you should skip the rest.

Movie stardom wasn’t my only goal. I also wanted to be a network news anchor, but like the acting thing, I peaked somewhat short as a local anchor reporting on school board battles and banking mergers. People should have lofty career goals, but falling short is OK, and if you enjoy what you are doing, as I have, the journey is a life well-lived.

p.m: El obispo Jugis ofrecerá la Misa de la Cena del Señor, en conmemoración de la Última Cena de Jesús y la institución de la Eucaristía y el sacerdocio.

Viernes 19 de abril, Veneración de la Cruz, 3 p.m: El Viernes Santo revivimos la Pasión y muerte de Jesús con las Estaciones de la Cruz. El Obispo Jugis conducirá la Veneración de la Cruz.

Sábado 20 de abril, Vigilia Pascual, 8 p.m.: Después de la puesta del sol, alrededor de las 8 de la noche, la Semana Santa termina y celebramos la resurrección de Jesús en la Pascua. En la Vigilia de Pascua en la catedral, el Obispo Jugis encenderá el fuego pascual y dará la bienvenida a los nuevos católicos a la Iglesia con los sacramentos de iniciación (Bautismo, Santa Comunión y Confirmación).

NOTA DEL EDITOR: Está será una semana repleta de servicios especiales en cada parroquia de la diócesis. Visite el sitio web de su parroquia para conocer los horarios de sus servicios y sepa que es bienvenido aquí en la Catedral. La Catedral de San Patricio está ubicada en 1621 Dilworth Road East en Charlotte.

As I head into a retirement, I will fill my days with frequent daily Mass, my woodworking hobby, sailing lessons and travel. The one career goal remaining for me is a path that I have been on and off ever since my days as an altar boy, and it’s the best goal for any Catholic: sainthood. Maybe not big-time sainthood like Thomas Aquinas or Mother Teresa, but an everyday saint who demonstrates the call of having a relationship with the Lord, evangelizing His Word and carrying out the works of mercy we are all called to perform. As my 9 to 5 days come to an end, I hope this final goal will be 24/7. It is, by far, the most important of my life.

God is good…in all things.

DAVID HAINS retired April 12 after serving 15 years as the director of communication for the Diocese of Charlotte.

SEMINARIANS FROM PAGE 9

diversity is our strength. We are most powerful when we acknowledge that we need each other to survive and that, as a community, we can thrive.”

After Mass, St. Joseph College Seminary students talked about the program of formation and their personal discernment to a priestly vocation, particularly the importance of daily prayer.

The ability to relate to people from different backgrounds and life experiences was a primary topic of the discussion.

As future priests, some parishioners noted, these young men need to gain an appreciation for the challenges many African Americans and others have to face – particularly racism.

Seminary student José Palma Torres, who came to the United States from Mexico as a child of an undocumented immigrant, agreed, but noted that issues including racism have to be viewed in the light of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. Following Christ means joining in solidarity with others who suffer, he said.

“Christ Himself suffered injustice,” he said. “We can relate ourselves in some way with Christ.”

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