Nov. 6, 2020

November 6, 2020

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St. Matthew World Hunger Drive exceeds fundraising goal

IN HONOR OF VETERANS DAY

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Campaña informativa busca reducir el impacto de COVID-19 en Latinos 10A INDEX

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‘These dogs are saving lives’ Project2Heal puppies assist vets nationwide 3A ALSO INSIDE: Catholic Charities aids vets in finding a home

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Responding to the sin of racism 6A

Vatican: Pope not changing Church teaching on gay unions 17A

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 6, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Dedication of Basilica of St. John Lateran Feast day: Nov. 9

Pope Francis

The feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran is celebrated by the entire Church. It marks the dedication of the cathedral church of Rome by Pope Sylvester I in 324. This church is the cathedra (or chair) of the bishop of Rome, who is the pope. A Latin inscription in the church reads: “omnium ecclesiarum Urbis et Orbis mater et caput.” Translated, this means, “The mother and head of all churches of the city and of the world.”

The basilica was originally named the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior. However, it is called St. John Lateran because it was built on property donated to the Church by the Laterani family, and because the monks from the monastery of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Divine served it.

By honoring its dedication, the worldwide Church celebrates communion with the See of Peter, Pope Benedict XVI has noted. The architectural beauty and order of church buildings is intended to glorify God, but the real treasure of the Church is the temple built of “living stones” – the faithful – “and molded within by the Holy Spirit.”

Without prayer, life can seem troublesome, tedious

P

rayer has the power to take all those things in life that seem like a condemnation and turn them into something good, Pope Francis said.

“The trials of life thus change into opportunities to grow in faith and charity,” the pope said Nov. 4 during his weekly general audience, livestreamed from the library of the Apostolic Palace.

The general audience had been taking place with the public present since Sept.

2 – starting in an outdoor courtyard and later in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall. But after someone attending the general audience Oct. 21 tested positive for COVID-19, the Vatican announced that beginning Nov. 4, the audiences would return to being livestreamed without the presence of pilgrims and visitors to prevent “any possible future risks to the health of the participants.”

The pope began the Nov. 4 audience expressing his disappointment, but underlined it was important to respect mandates aimed at keeping people from contracting COVID-19.

“We must be very attentive to regulations by authorities, both political authorities and health care experts, to protect ourselves in this pandemic,” he said in remarks off-the-cuff.

He asked that everyone pray for all those who are ill as well as for doctors, nurses, volunteers and all those who are risking their lives by helping those who are sick, “but they do it out of love.”

Continuing his series of audience talks about prayer, Pope Francis reflected on how Jesus always took time out to pray and be in dialogue with God, despite busy days helping the poor and the sick.

Jesus was not guided or inspired by success, consensus or “the seductive phrase, ‘Everyone is searching for you,’” the pope said.

“Prayer is the rudder that guides Jesus’ course,” he said; it does not lead Him to the easiest path, but to the one that stays true to God’s will, which He discovers in prayer.

A day lived without prayer risks turning into a day that is lived as “bothersome or tedious,” a day when whatever happens is poorly endured and comes from “blind fate,” the pope said.

“Prayer is first of all listening to and encountering God,” he said. It helps people face reality, but in a way that they can see problems not as obstacles, but as opportunities to grow in faith and charity.

Without cultivating self-reflection, he said, “we become superficial, agitated and anxious.”

Jesus showed that prayer is ultimately letting go and putting oneself in God’s hands.

Dedication of the basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul Feast day: Nov. 18

This feast celebrates the dedications of two of the four major basilicas of Rome, named for Sts. Peter and Paul, the Vatican’s patron saints and symbols of the Church’s unity and its universality.

St. Peter’s Basilica (pictured at left) was originally built in 323 by the emperor Constantine. The basilica was constructed over the tomb of Peter the Apostle, the first pope. After standing for more than 1,000 years, Pope Julius II ordered the building to be torn down due to structural concerns. The construction of the new church spanned more than 200 years before its completion. It was dedicated on Nov. 18, 1626. It is considered the most famous church in Christendom.

St. Paul’s Basilica is located outside the original walls of Rome. It was also originally built by the emperor Constantine, though it was destroyed by fire in 1823.

Donations from around the world made the reconstruction possible. Before the completion of St. Peter’s Basilica, St Paul’s was the largest church in Rome. The basilica was built over St. Paul’s grave, and Pope Pius IX consecrated it in 1854.

These two churches continue to draw millions of faithful pilgrims each year, as well as many visitors from other faiths.

— Catholic News Agency

Virtual tours online

What is a basilica?

There are four “major” or papal basilicas – all of which are in Rome. All other basilicas are called “minor” basilicas.

The Diocese of Charlotte has two minor basilicas: Mary, Help of Christians Abbey (better known as Belmont Abbey), and St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville.

The Asheville basilica states on its website: The term dates back to the early Greek and Roman times and referred to a type of public building. In the 4th century, basilicas began to be used as places of worship. It was during this time that construction of the greatest basilicas of Rome was started. Today, the term basilica is a special designation given by the pope to certain churches because of their antiquity, dignity, historical importance or significance as a place of worship.

To become a basilica, the church must have been consecrated. The liturgical rites (celebration of the Holy Eucharist, sacraments of penance and other sacraments) should also be executed in an exemplary way with fidelity to liturgical norms and the active participation of the people of God. It should also have special significance in the diocese. St. Lawrence, with its unique dome, is the only church designed and built by the renowned Rafael Guastavino.

Because of the relationship between a basilica and the pope, basilicas have the responsibility to promote the study of the documents of the pope and the Holy See, especially those concerning the Sacred Liturgy.

Also, certain days in the liturgical year are to be celebrated with added solemnity, among them the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter (Feb. 22), the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul (June 29), and the anniversary of the election or coronation of the supreme pontiff.

An outward sign and privilege that comes to a basilica is the honor and opportunity to display the seal of the papacy.

At www.vatican.va: Check out virtual 360-degree tours of St. Peter’s Basilica and St. John Lateran, along with other basilicas and chapels of the Vatican. Click on “Basilicas and Papal Chapels” on the bottom right of the page.

Daily Scripture readings NOV. 8-14

Sunday: Wisdom 6:12-16, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13; Monday (The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica): Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12, 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17, John 2:13-22; Tuesday (St. Leo the Great): Titus 2:1-8, 11-14, Luke 17:7-10; Wednesday (St. Martin of Tours): Titus 3:1-7, Luke 17:11-19; Thursday (St. Josaphat): Philemon 7-20, Luke 17:20-25; Friday (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini): 2 John 4-9, Luke 17:26-37; Saturday: 3 John 5-8, Luke 18:1-8

NOV. 15-21

Sunday: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, Matthew 25:14-30; Monday (St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Gertrude): Revelation 1:1-4, 2:1-5, Luke 18:35-43; Tuesday (St. Elizabeth of Hungary): Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22, Luke 19:1-10; Wednesday (The Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne): Revelation 4:1-11, Luke 19:11-28; Thursday: Revelation 5:1-10, Luke 19:41-44; Friday: Revelation 10:8-11, Luke 19:45-48; Saturday (The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Revelation 11:4-12, Luke 20:27-40

NOV. 22-28

Sunday (Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe): Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28, Matthew 25:3146; Monday (St. Clement I, St. Columban, BI Miguel Agustin Pro): Revelation 14:1-5, Luke 21:1-4; Tuesday (St. Andrew DungLac and Companions): Revelation 14:14-19, Luke 21:5-11; Wednesday (St. Catherine of Alexandria): Revelation 15:1-4, Luke 21:12-19; Thursday (Thanksgiving Day): Sirach 50:2224, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Luke 17:11-19; Friday: Revelation 20:1-4, 11-21:2, Luke 21:29-33; Saturday: Revelation 22:1-7, Luke 21:34-36

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November 6, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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IN HONOR OF VETERANS DAY

‘These dogs are saving lives’ Project2Heal puppies assist vets nationwide

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

WAXHAW — Thanks to a local Catholic couple and their ministry, dozens of veterans can attest that recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder starts with a puppy.

Charlie Petrizzo and his wife Sandy breed and train Labrador Retriever puppies for veterans in need through their non-profit organization “Project2Heal.” Their trained service and companion dogs provide crucial emotional support to veterans who are struggling to recover from PTSD. Petrizzo knows firsthand how canine companions can offer unique comfort to someone who is ill or infirm. He suffered two serious accidents when he was younger, and each time a family dog helped him through his painful recovery. After stepping back from the fast-paced world of finance, he felt called by God in 2005 to start the charitable organization in line with his Catholic faith, using his Waxhaw home and his own resources.

Over the past 15 years the Petrizzos have earned a reputation in the service dog breeding and puppy training world for being top in the field.

Service or companion dogs can be a vital lifeline for veterans, particularly those suffering from depression, uncontrolled anger or suicidal thoughts. A 2018 Purdue University Veterinary Medicine study documented that service dogs helped veterans by considerably reducing PTSD – instances of depression, hypervigilance, night tremors and outbursts of anger – brought on by their military service.

Project2Heal steps into this breach, and Petrizzo has seen the impacts.

“These dogs are saving lives,” he says.

One Marine veteran in his early 30s, who “was a picture of strength and courage,” once quietly approached Petrizzo during one of their training programs, he recalls.

“He gently placed his hand on my shoulder. He leaned in and was crying and whispered through tears, ‘Sir, thank you very much for this dog. I was a trigger pull from taking my life. Now I have him and he will take care of me and be my mission, and I promise you I will take care of him.’

“After he told me that, I turned to Sandy and I said, ‘We’re making a difference.’ That was one of the most moving things that has ever happened to me. This man was a battle-worn veteran. He outwardly looked like the picture of strength. Inwardly, PTSD

Catholic Charities aids veterans in finding a home

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Project2Heal co-founder Charlie Petrizzo spends time with Calder, a puppy being trained to work with the Charlotte Checkers hockey team in Charlotte. was crushing him.”

Petrizzo also thinks about another Army veteran who traveled from Tennessee to obtain a companion dog through Project2Heal. The man had reached out to a number of service dog organizations, but money was an obstacle.

“He wrote a beautiful letter to me. I told him he may not need a service dog, he may need a companion dog.”

Petrizzo knew the moment he saw the veteran that he needed his help. “When he came here he was dripping sweat he was so nervous. He was gripping his head. I could see the PTSD. I could actually see the PTSD, the struggles he was having. I told him, ‘If you want a dog that is trained, but not a trained service dog, I will give one to you, a companion dog.’”

It costs thousands of dollars to breed, raise and train puppies to become either service dogs or emotional support dogs. Project2Heal begins training its puppies when they are two days old and continues training for eight to 12 weeks – until they are evaluated and given to a service dog training partner for more specialized training and placement. Dogs that do not pass the strict service dog testing process are instead trained and given to people in need of companion or emotional support dogs.

The need for Petrizzo’s puppies continues to grow, he says.

“We’re doing work that no other organization does,” he explains. “We focus specifically on reducing the time and cost it takes to get a veteran, or a child with a special needs, a service dog… We have 20 kennels here. That’s really just the first step.

“The challenge is when you get calls from 30 organizations, to really make

a difference… if we could donate 10 puppies each to 15 organizations that would really change the dynamic and the amount of time that our veterans have to wait.”

Petrizzo hopes to expand the Project2Heal ministry using 50 acres that he recently bought nearby their current location. Besides adding to the number of kennels, he would like to build tiny houses for visiting veterans.

“So if veterans are waiting for a dog, from whatever organization, and they just want to come and stay in one of these tiny houses for a week or two weeks and stay and help us train and care for our puppies, maybe that is just what they need to hold them over,” he says.

“I want it to be a pastoral experience,” he continues. “It’s quiet.

It’s peaceful. If the veterans come, they can help train the dogs. They can walk the hiking path we hope to build. They can fish. They can quiet their minds and know that we are here to help.”

Petrizzo believes Project2Heal is God’s ministry. “He put it on our hearts to do this. It’s His ministry we are stewarding for Him...We pray for the things we need. And we pray for our puppies to be successful.”

Help Project2Heal The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Project2Heal hard, as it has most nonprofits. An annual golf fundraiser had to be canceled – a fundraising opportunity loss of about $85,000. A virtual event, the Project2Heal “Pup-A-Thon,” is planned for Dec. 4 to help bridge the funding gap. For details, go online to www.project2heal.org, or contact Charlie Petrizzo at 704-2564056 or information@project2heal.org.

CHARLOTTE — U.S. Army veteran Mark Wilcox wrestled with life’s challenges after leaving the military. Originally from Michigan, he fell on hard times after moving to Charlotte and ended up homeless. A local non-profit that works with veterans referred him to Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. Soon they helped him find an apartment and furnish it, and they are continuing to assist him while he looks for employment.

Dozens of homeless veterans like Wilcox now have a roof over their head thanks to a new partnership between Catholic Charities, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and local assistance agencies.

It all started with the help of a $500,000 Supportive Services for Veteran Families grant from the VA that Catholic Charities received a year ago. With the money, the agency hired two case workers and subcontracted with the Charlotte-based Veterans Bridge Home to provide a range of supportive services to very lowincome veterans and their families who are homeless or are in danger of becoming homeless.

Case workers accompany these veterans every step of the way – helping them to find an apartment, including helping them pay application fees and security deposits, utility hook-up fees and other costs that can often be a financial barrier to stable housing.

They also help them navigate housing laws and tenant rules, and they connect them to other veterans’ services including VA benefits and health care.

Since that initial grant, Catholic Charities has received an additional $467,000 in federal CARES Act funding through the VA to support homeless veterans and prevent homelessness in veterans who are already housed.

Catholic Charities has placed 32 veterans in apartments and helped another 55 veterans pay their rent and avoid eviction. They have helped another 29 people pay their monthly utilities.

The VA grant does not cover all of what is needed to help move a veteran from homelessness to a home – things like household supplies, appliances, furniture and bedding. To assist with these critical needs, Catholic Charities has received $3,000 in private donations as well as a $4,000 grant from the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted Catholic Charities to accelerate these efforts as families already in dire financial need have lost jobs and face eviction or utility shut-offs, and homeless veterans face even greater risks.

CARES Act funding has enabled the agency to temporarily house another 81 homeless veterans in hotel rooms while case workers searched for housing.

They have also stepped up their prevention work – rent and utility payments for housed veterans to prevent eviction due to pandemic-related income loss.

When Catholic Charities launched this initiative a year ago, they estimated there were more than 300 known homeless people in Charlotte who could be eligible for this aid and their goal was to help at least 120 of them.

Sandy Buck, Catholic Charities’ Charlotte regional director, is grateful for the funding “to allow us to help the most vulnerable veterans access services and find a place to call home.”

“I have a special place in my heart for our veterans,” Buck said. “They sacrificed so much to protect our freedom and safety. They deserve all the assistance we can provide to support them in their civilian life.”

Wilcox said he is equally thankful. “It’s a blessing that I was connected with Catholic Charities and I am just grateful for them being there.”

UPcoming events 4A

catholicnewsherald.com | November 6, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

November 6, 2020 VOLUME 30 • NUMBER 3

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

The following parishes are providing live or recorded Masses each week. An updated schedule is online at www.catholicnewsherald.com, or contact your parish for details.

LIVESTREAMED MASSES

RECORDED MASSES

The following parishes offer Masses live at the following times on their Facebook page or YouTube or Vimeo channel. If no time is listed here, check their parish website for more information:

The following parishes offer Masses recorded on their website, Facebook page, YouTube or Vimeo channel. Search those platforms for the parish’s name to find the latest Mass information:

BELMONT ABBEY MONASTERY: 11 a.m. daily

GOOD SHEPHERD MISSION, KING HOLY CROSS CHURCH, KERNERSVILLE HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, DENVER IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, FOREST CITY IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, HIGH POINT OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION CHURCH, CHARLOTTE OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO OUR LADY OF MERCY CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM SACRED HEART CHURCH, SALISBURY ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH, LENOIR ST. GABRIEL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE ST. JOAN OF ARC CHURCH, CANDLER ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, ASHEBORO ST. LEO THE GREAT CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM ST. MARGARET MARY CHURCH, SWANNANOA ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE ST. MARY MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA ST. MICHAEL CHURCH, GASTONIA ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, CHARLOTTE ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, GREENSBORO ST. STEPHEN MISSION, ELKIN ST. STEPHEN MARONITE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE ST. THERESE CHURCH, MOORESVILLE ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE

DIVINE REDEEMER CHURCH, BOONVILLE: 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH, KING: 11 a.m. English; 1:30 p.m. Spanish Sunday HOLY INFANT CHURCH, REIDSVILLE: 9 a.m. Sunday

STAFF EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org

OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 10 a.m.

Sunday OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH, MONROE: 9 a.m. daily

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org

QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES CHURCH, BELMONT: 9:15 and 11 a.m.

Sunday

SENIOR REPORTER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org

SACRED HEART CHURCH, BREVARD: 12 p.m. daily Mass, 10 a.m. Sunday

ONLINE REPORTER: Kimberly Bender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org

SACRED HEART CHURCH, SALISBURY: 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, 7 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday, 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. Saturday

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.

ST. ANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Latin Mass) Sunday ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, ARDEN: 11 a.m. Bilingual Sunday Mass ST. BASIL THE GREAT EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 11 a.m. Sunday ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM: 9 a.m.

English; 2 p.m. Spanish ST. DOROTHY CHURCH, LINCOLNTON: 9 a.m. Sunday

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.

ST. EUGENE CHURCH, ASHEVILLE: 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil; 9 a.m.

Sunday Mass

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.

ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8, 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Sunday in English and 12 p.m. Sunday in Spanish

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

ST. LUKE CHURCH, MINT HILL: 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday in English; 1 p.m.

Sunday bilingual; 4:30 p.m. Sunday

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.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH, MOCKSVILLE: 9 a.m. English; 10:30 a.m. Spanish ST. JAMES CHURCH, CONCORD: English and Spanish

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CHURCH, WAYNESVILLE, AND IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MISSION, CANTON ST. LAWRENCE BASILICA, ASHEVILLE: 7:30 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. Sunday in English and 5 p.m. in Spanish.

ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE: 7 and 9 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 7 a.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday in English, and 1 p.m. in Spanish ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 8 a.m. Sunday ST. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA: Noon Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 9 a.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m. Sunday in English and 7 p.m. Saturday in Spanish ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 12 p.m. daily; 9 a.m. Sunday ST. MICHAEL CHURCH, GASTONIA: 9 a.m. Sunday ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, CHARLOTTE: 12:30 p.m. Sunday ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday-Friday; 4:30 p.m. Saturday; 10:30 a.m. Sunday ST. PETER CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 11:30 a.m. Sunday

EN ESPAÑOL OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8 a.m. domingo; 7:30 p.m. martes; 12 p.m. miércoles, jueves y viernes.

OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH, CHARLOTTE OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH, MONROE SACRED HEART CHURCH, SALISBURY: 12:30 p.m. Domingo ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM: 1:30 p.m.

Domingo ST. DOROTHY CHURCH, LINCOLNTON: 12 p.m. Domingo ST. EUGENE CHURCH, ASHEVILLE: 7:30 a.m. Domingo ST. JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH, CONCORD ST. JOAN OF ARC CHURCH, CANDLER ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 12 p.m. Domingo ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, ASHEBORO ST. LAWRENCE BASILICA, ASHEVILLE: 5 p.m. Domingo ST. LUKE CHURCH, MINT HILL: 1 p.m. Domingo ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE: 1 p.m. Domingo ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 11 a.m. Domingo ST. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA: 7 p.m. Sabado ST. THERESE CHURCH: 12 p.m. Domingo VIETNAMESE ST. JOSEPH VIETNAMESE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 9:30 a.m. Sunday

ST. STEPHEN MISSION, ELKIN: 9 a.m. Sunday ST. THERESE CHURCH, MOORESVILLE: 9 a.m. weekdays, 5 p.m.

Saturday 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday’ 9:30 a.m., Sunday; ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 10 a.m. daily, 10 a.m.

Sunday in English and 2 p.m. Sunday in Spanish

LATIN ST. ANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 12:30 p.m. Sunday OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 1 p.m. Sunday ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, CHARLOTTE: 12:15 and 7 p.m. Thursday

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: NOV. 13 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Vincent de Paul Church, Charlotte NOV. 16-17 USCCB November Virtual Plenary Assembly NOV. 19 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Joseph Church, Charlotte NOV. 23 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Sacred Heart Church, Brevard

November 6, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com

St. Matthew World Hunger Drive exceeds goal, raises $251K JULIA TURNER SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Church recently concluded one of its most successful ever campaigns to provide food, education and agricultural assistance to the poor in Haiti, Jamaica and elsewhere.

The 18th annual Monsignor McSweeney World Hunger Drive ended Oct. 4. The parish’s goal was to raise $220,000 to buy and ship more than 240,000 pounds of food and supplies, as well as provide funds for education and sustainability projects. The parish ended up raising more than $251,000 and organizers expected to be able to ship an estimated 320,000 pounds of food.

This year’s World Hunger Drive was understandably different. Given the extraordinary challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the parish was unable to conduct its traditional Meal Packing Event, when over 1,200 participants pack 300,000 meals or collect food donations.

Organizers shifted the campaign online, starting with video conference meetings for ministry leaders and volunteers to plan for this year’s drive. Efforts to get the word out included a video produced by parish videographer Jim Alvarez, an article in the Catholic News Herald, and interviews on local TV stations and Catholic radio.

Participants chose coupons online rather than picking from giving trees set up inside the church. Volunteers collected donations of money from parishioners and visitors who attended reduced-capacity Masses and outdoor Communion services.

Parishioners young and old contributed to the campaign to ensure its success.

OUR PARISHESI 5A

CCHD collection Nov. 21-22 will help fund local grants JOSEPH PURELLO SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

One boy noted, “I am giving everything I have in my piggy bank savings to help feed the hungry.” An elderly woman mentioned that she could not afford to give too much, but she saves her coins throughout the year, every year, so she can support the World Hunger Drive.

Debbie Kane, co-leader of the drive, noted, “The parishioners of St. Matthew take our connection to each other very seriously. They opened their hearts and generously gave to support our family in Haiti. Our parish is truly ‘Connected in Christ! Moved by the Spirit!’”

The Monsignor McSweeney World Hunger Drive supports the Missionaries of the Poor, who serve the poor in Haiti and Jamaica.

MOP provides care and support for children at St. Marc’s School in Tremesse, Haiti, as well as an orphanage. The campaign also shares a portion of the proceeds with children of the Diocese of La Guaira,

Venezuela, as well as local food banks such as Second Harvest and Mel’s Diner.

Over the past 18 years, the campaign has provided more than 3.2 million pounds of food and supplies, as well as money for education, agriculture and irrigation supplies, and the stocking of tilapia and chicken farms in Haiti and Jamaica.

Father John Allen, parochial administrator, said, “The Monsignor McSweeney World Hunger Drive is one of the many impressive works of mercy that St. Matthew parishioners undertake each year. We are blessed to share the communion of prayer, solidarity and friendship with our family in Haiti and the Missionaries of the Poor. I am so grateful to all who have shown such remarkable support for our virtual food drive and for the incredible impact it is providing in the wake of the pandemic and so much conflict in Haiti.”

New endowment to assist nursing school students at Belmont Abbey College SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

BELMONT — The James P. and Eunice S. Cherry Scholarship Endowment Fund, recently established with the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation, will provide tuition assistance for students enrolling in Belmont Abbey College’s new nursing program.

The endowment honors the memory of the late James and Eunice Cherry, who converted to Catholicism during the late 1940s under the spiritual guidance of Benedictine Father Gregory Eichenlaub, pastor of St. Michael Church in Gastonia at the time, with support from the monks of Belmont Abbey.

The couple raised 10 children, two of whom went on to graduate from Belmont Abbey College, and they supported their parish and the Gaston County community over the course of many years.

One of Eunice Cherry’s cherished volunteer activities was serving at Gaston Memorial Hospital, today known as CaroMont Health.

Besides volunteering at the hospital, she served on its board of trustees through several administrations and hosted many community events at the Cherry’s family home.

It was their late mother’s love for the hospital that inspired the Cherry children to establish the endowment to support nursing school students at Belmont Abbey College. Nursing is one of several new healthcare degree programs recently established at the college as part of a partnership with CaroMont Health, which is building a state-of-the-art hospital just east of the campus.

“What better way to kick off the new nursing program than with a funding source to help the nursing students with tuition assistance? This is a wonderful way to honor my parents, James and Eunice,” noted their son Steven Cherry.

Through Belmont Abbey College’s partnership with CaroMont Health, students pursuing healthcare majors are expected to have practicals at the new hospital and will use classrooms located on the hospital’s campus. They will also be able to look to the hospital for possible employment opportunities after graduation.

Dr. William Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College, shared his appreciation for the new endowment. “The Cherry family has a long multi-generational relationship with Belmont Abbey College and the monks of Belmont Abbey. Their family are pillars of the Charlotte diocese and the Gaston County community. We are honored to memorialize their commitment to the Church and Catholic education through this endowed scholarship.”

“We are grateful to the Cherry family for their commitment to help future students. They are always thinking of others,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director. “We are also blessed to have the nationally recognized Belmont Abbey College in our diocese. They are the only Catholic college between northern Virginia and Florida. And Belmont Abbey is the fountainhead of Catholicism in North Carolina.”

— Belmont Abbey College contributed.

Create an endowment Interested in setting up an endowment? Establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a gift of real estate, a gift of life insurance, cash or securities sufficient to set up an endowment, or a life income arrangement such as a trust or annuity. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or gmrhodes@charlottediocese.org.

CHARLOTTE — The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is one of the Church’s primary means of fighting poverty at the grassroots level – both here in the Diocese of Charlotte and across the United States.

The annual collection, which will be taken up Nov. 21-22, is a source of both national and local funds to support organizations that address the root causes of poverty in America. Seventyfive percent of the funds collected go to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to support national grant funding, and the other 25 percent remains in the Charlotte diocese to fund local antipoverty efforts.

Recipients of recent grant funding include Morganton-based The Industrial Commons, which coordinates the Carolina Textile District that is comprised of member textile organizations such as Opportunity Threads in Valdese.

Opportunity Threads, a past multi-year recipient of a National CCHD Economic Development grant, is committed to sustainable textile manufacturing practices, fair wages and cooperative employee ownership and profit-sharing.

It was among several Carolina Textile District member organizations that turned to making much-needed personal protective equipment for North Carolina medical facilities and schools at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year.

Local CCHD funds are distributed to local non-profit organizations through Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s CCHD Program. Last spring, local CCHD grants totaling $32,700 were distributed to 14 non-profit organizations fighting poverty in Boone, Davidson, Charlotte, Forest City, Greensboro, Hickory, High Point, Lenoir, Morganton, Spindale and Winston-Salem.

One of the 2020 recipients was the Senior Mobile Food Pantry of Yokefellow Caldwell County Inc. in Lenoir. Sharon Harmon, its executive director, said, “Your gift is timely as we continue to serve the community during COVID-19 as an essential service… Thank you so very much for your support of this food pantry program!”

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

Learn more Local CCHD grant applications for 2021 are due Feb. 15. Each grantee partners in some way with a Catholic parish or entity of the diocese familiar with the work of the non-profit, and the parish provides a letter of endorsement with the grant application.

Find out more information about Catholic Charities CCHD local grants at www.ccdoc.org/ cchdcrs.

In addition to its grant programs, CCHD also provides educational information on domestic poverty.

To learn more about poverty in the United States, go to the USCCB-sponsored website www.povertyusa.org.

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 6, 2020 OUR PARISHES

N

ovember marks Black Catholic History Month. This month, let us focus on eradicating racism from our communities. Black Catholic history can be traced to the Acts of the Apostles (8:26-40) when St. Philip the Deacon converted the Ethiopian eunuch – one of the first moves the Apostles made to evangelize outside Jerusalem and thus sow the seeds for the universal Church.

In November 2018 the Catholic bishops of the United States released a pastoral letter against racism called “Open Wide Our Hearts.” It is a powerful invitation for the people of God to “face courageously the vice of racism, ... reach out generously to the victims of this evil, to assist the conversion needed in those who still harbor racism, and to begin to change policies and structures that allow racism to persist.”

At www.usccb. org/racism: Read the entire letter, get prayer and educational resources, and find ideas for how you can respond.

At www. catholicnewsherald. com: Read more about Black Catholic History Month, including more about the Church’s black saints

Open Wide Our Hearts Prayer Mary, friend and mother to all, through your Son, God has found a way to unite himself to every human being, called to be one people, sisters and brothers to each other.

We ask for your help in calling on your Son, seeking forgiveness for the times when we have failed to love and respect one another.

We ask for your help in obtaining from your Son the grace we need to overcome the evil of racism and to build a just society.

We ask for your help in following your Son, so that prejudice and animosity will no longer infect our minds or hearts but will be replaced with a love that respects the dignity of each person.

Mother of the Church, the Spirit of your Son Jesus warms our hearts: pray for us. Amen.

By our baptism, we are members of Christ’s Body and sharers in His mission.

Imitating Christ, we must care for all members of our communities, honoring each person as unique, sacred and created in the image of God. Let us celebrate the history and heritage of Black Catholics, and allow the Holy Spirit to convert our hearts so that we may live authentically in true relationship to one another.

Responding to the sin of racism The scourge of racism has a long history, with neighbor, fundamentally, is to respect him or her as roots that existed well before the founding of the a unique person made in the image and likeness of United States. But racism exists here in a particular God. If we do not offer this respect to the creature, and pernicious way, mainly because slavery was then we dishonor the Creator. Such a basic truth of embedded in our early history. the Christian faith must therefore be our guide when In their 1979 Pastoral Letter, “Brothers and we consider the many kinds of people we encounter, Sisters to Us,” the Catholic bishops of the United people of different races, creeds, and traditions.

States wrote: “Racism is a sin: a sin that divides the The sin of racism is the opposite of love. In human family, blots out the image of God among committing the sin of racism, we are not loving specific members of that family, and violates the others. Instead, we are placing others outside of our fundamental human dignity of those called to be hearts – way outside. Which is why it is a sin. It is children of the same Father.” also why we need to fight racism, especially in our Racism is a roadblock to unity, and blinds us to own hearts. It is a poison that infects our souls. So, the human dignity that lives in every human person. the question each of us must ask ourselves each Even if we do not hold the evil of racism in our and every day is this: who have I placed outside of hearts, we must strive to open our eyes to the many my heart? And then we need to repent by asking places it can be enflamed or encouraged, impacting ourselves, how can I show them that I love them? our brothers and sisters.

Racism is an attack on the THE TEACHING OF THE CHURCH image of God that has been The Catholic Church is given to every one of us by the very clear: racism and every Creator (Gen 5:1-3). Because form of discrimination based each person has been created on “sex, race, color, social

by God, we are all united conditions, language, or together with the Lord and religion must be curbed and with each other. Racism eradicated as incompatible rejects what God has done by with God’s design” (Catechism refusing to acknowledge the of the Catholic Church image of God in the other, 1935). We are called to work the stranger and the one who to protect the dignity of all is different. The fact that we members of one human family were created in the image by confronting racism in all its of God should remind us — U.S. bishops, “Open Wide Our Hearts” forms and by welcoming and that each person is a living celebrating the diversity of the expression of God that must many faces of the children of be respected and preserved.

God in our communities. Building unity in diversity is an essential part of our mission of discipleship.

‘Racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart.’

MAY THEY ALL BE ONE

Racism is divisive and damages the harmony and oneness that should characterize all our relationships. What divides us does not have to destroy us. Differences do not have to frighten us.

Following the advice of St. Paul, we can pray for the grace to look beyond our own prejudices: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:32). Recall that before His death, Christ prayed, “May they all be one” (Jn 17:21).

LOVING THE NEIGHBOR

When asked which was the first of all the commandments, Jesus replied the first is this: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ And the second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Mk 12: 28-31).

Obviously, racism goes against the commandment of love. We are all called, therefore, to oppose racism in our communities. Loving neighbors who are different from us through kind and generous actions can be as simple as forming friendships, supporting minority-owned businesses, or participating in community activities with those of other faiths or other races. Loving our God obligates us to love our neighbors as well.

Scripture teaches: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 Jn 4:20). To love our

RACISM IS A PRO-LIFE ISSUE

Our faith calls us to respect and protect every human life – from its very beginning to its very end, and at every moment in between. Protecting human life also requires us to protect the dignity of each person, regardless of race, physical condition, age or stage of life. Tragically, people often are not treated with the respect that their human dignity requires.

Racism violates the fundamental truth about the human person and therefore it must be fought not only through changing hearts but also through advocacy in the halls of government. This means that the Church must work in the public square defending the dignity of each person, and in a special way. As “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” states, “Loving our neighbor has global dimensions and requires us to eradicate racism.”

WHAT THE MASS TEACHES US

In reflecting on the liturgy, Pope Benedict XVI once said: “The Lord does not assemble the parish community in order to enclose it but in order to open it up. …. To be with the Lord means to be willing, with Him, to seek all the children of God.” There is no place in the sacred liturgy, therefore, for any form of hatred or racism or self-righteousness. Quite the opposite; going out seeking all the children of God means having the desire to gather them into the community, worshiping God together. The liturgy RACISM, SEE PAGE 20A

Practical steps for ending racism Racism is evil because it attacks the inherent dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God. The persistence of racism demands our attention and our response: 1. Read (or re-read) “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter against Racism” using the accompanying study guide. Visit usccb.org/racism.

2. Create various large and small group opportunities for family and community members to process their feelings in the midst of news and commentary about vulnerable populations and law enforcement. Encourage participants to reflect or share their own upbringing regarding comments in the home, from parents and individuals, media and entertainment, even practices of the Church about the merits or demerits of certain groups of people made to be “the other.” Ask. “How have I knowingly or unconsciously made this formation part of my world view? Where could I have spoken up but didn’t?”

3. Arrange a safe space for young people to reflect and pray about racism and recent events. Listen to the current experiences of young people. Encourage and allow their creative expression. Invite them to generate methodologies that are meaningful to them.

4. Attend an intergenerational interracial virtual town hall discussion on racism. Respect that for some African Americans, Hispanics and others, talking about personal racial experiences in a mixed race setting is painful as it is like reopening a wound that hadn’t fully healed.

5. Use a pastoral and non-partisan lens to respond to concerns of family and community members about racism, policing and public safety. Do not politicize this. Lean on Gospel values, instead.

6. Contact your pastor, parish council or diocesan office to discuss possible ways to dialogue. (In the Diocese of Charlotte, contact African American Affairs Ministry director Rosheene Adams at rladams@ charlottediocese.org or Catholic Charities’ Social Concerns and Advocacy Director Joseph Purello at jtpurello@charlottediocese.org.)

7. Learn about structural racism and its roots in your community and get involved in the work to address it. It might look like housing discrimination that continues to contribute to segregated communities or disparate access to quality education.

8. Invite your parish to incorporate regular dialogue among parishioners about their experiences with racism, prejudice and racial discrimination.

9. Invite your parish or faith-sharing group to host a conversation with a group of African American, Latino, Indigenous or African men and/or young people about their personal experiences with law enforcement.

10. Encourage religious education classes and faith-sharing groups, as well as clergy at your parish, to speak out against racism and for personal responsibility to eradicate it.

Continue to study and understand racism as it manifested in the past and does so today.

— USCCB

November 6, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI 7A

A Blessed Day 44 years later, Greensboro parishioners remember Venerable Fulton Sheen’s visit as world awaits his beatification ANNIE FERGUSON CORRESPONDENT

GREENSBORO — So beloved is Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen at Our Lady of Grace Parish that the story of his visit, 44 years ago this month, passes from parishioner to parishioner in reverent tones. Details of his 1976 blessing of the church and school are met with awe bordering on incredulity because, for some, belonging to a parish graced with a visit from the famed archbishop is almost too good to be true.

It certainly seems to be the case for one devoted family of 11. Parishioners L.T. Terrell, a licensed therapist and EMT, and his wife Casey, a nurse, and their eldest eight children – seven girls and a boy named Fulton (with brother Ian due in February) – enjoy watching Sheen’s “Life Is Worth Living” TV show re-runs and having family discussions about the lessons he imparted.

“His humor and wit are much needed for our generation,” L.T. Terrell said. “Fulton Sheen has had such an impact on us as a family that we decided to name our son after him. We have named our kids down the alphabet: Anna, Bethany, Catherine, Danielle, Emily, Fulton, Gretchen and Hermione. So we happened to be on F for our first boy. We believe it was providence.”

The circumstances certainly are remarkable – they didn’t know until recently, but the date Sheen visited Our Lady of Grace Church is the same as their son Fulton’s birthday: Nov. 14.

Five of the Terrell children attend Our Lady of Grace School. “Knowing Fulton Sheen visited gives me much joy and hope for the future of our school,” Terrell said.

The prolific writer, theologian, preacher and Emmy Award-winning media personality drew a U.S. audience of 30 million in 1957 at the peak of his weekly network telecast “Life Is Worth Living” and he wrote more than 60 books. Sheen became the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951, Bishop of Rochester in 1966, and Archbishop of the titular see of Newport, Wales, in 1969.

He was a regular host on “The Catholic Hour” radio program for 22 years starting in 1930, and he presented “The Fulton Sheen Program” from 1961 to 1968. He spent many years as the national director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, raised hundreds of millions of dollars for the world’s poor, donated $10 million of his own money to the missions, was an alumnus and professor at the Catholic University of America, preached retreats, visited the sick and imprisoned, and built churches and hospitals for the poor. He died in 1979.

In 2002 his cause for canonization was opened, and in 2012 he was declared venerable.

THE ARCHBISHOP VISITS GREENSBORO

Sheen came to Greensboro on Sunday, Nov. 14, 1976, to bless Our Lady of Grace Parish’s new school and activity center at the invitation of the pastor. He celebrated Mass at noon, with the church so full that many of the faithful had to use overflow seating in the new gymnasium.

Later that day, Sheen spoke at the dedication of the new activity center and school. For him, education was about the “whole man – the intellect and will, not just the mind alone,” a philosophy shared at OLG School today, where nurturing the “whole person” is a key part of its mission.

The three-story building then included six classrooms on the third floor and became known as the Upper School while the original school building was designated the Lower School. The original building also includes a gym, cafeteria and administrative offices and was expanded in 2014.

Bishop Michael Begley, a former pastor of Our Lady of Grace and the first bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte, was also on hand to formally dedicate the parish’s activity center. Greensboro’s mayor and an official from the N.C.

Department of Education attended the big event.

The 81-year-old orator’s voice still had its trademark boom, his blue eyes still pierced, and those present noted his charisma and joviality. One parishioner recalled how blessed she felt to be the last to receive Communion from Sheen at the Mass.

Eileen Rohan, wife of the parish’s retired Deacon Tim Rohan, recalled that Sheen had requested to have the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters who ran the school sit in the front rows during Mass. Rohan also noted that the young Columbian Squires of the Knights of Columbus served as escorts for the day. As he prepared to enter the church, Sheen blessed each of the boys, including her own son Tim, as their parents looked on.

It was a meaningful moment for the Rohan family that made them feel more at home in North Carolina. “We had just moved to Greensboro from New York, and we really wanted to see the bishop from where we lived for so long,” Rohan recalled, noting that she regularly prays a novena for Sheen’s beatification and canonization.

Longtime parishioner Don Brady assisted then-pastor

Father Francis Smith as the chair of the capital campaign for the 1976 school expansion. Brady recalled, “He was a very tiny man with the deepest blue eyes I have ever seen, and he really was wonderful at looking at the person he was talking to. He loved our church.”

BEATIFICATION ANTICIPATION

Sheen is expected to be named a Blessed in Peoria, Ill., near his birthplace of El Paso, Ill. Beatification, an act in which the Church allows a candidate for sainthood to be venerated publicly in places closely associated with his or her life and ministry, brings him to the final step before canonization as a saint.

In July, Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to Sheen, involving a Peoria baby who had just been born but had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. Bonnie and Travis Engstrom, as well as their family and friends, prayed for Sheen’s intercession to save their baby’s life and heal any damage to his body. After 61 minutes, James Fulton Engstrom began breathing, and his heart rate shot up to a normal rate for a newborn. Ten years later, James Fulton continues to develop normally with hardly a trace of his traumatic birth – one that many medical experts agree should have left him with severe brain damage. The pope’s approval of the miracle allowed Sheen’s beatification process to move forward. Bonnie Engstrom shares her story in detail in her 2019 book, “61 Minutes to a Miracle: Fulton Sheen and a True Story of the Impossible.”

Since his cause for canonization was opened, there have been delays in the process, including legal battles over where to permanently inter his body and even a postponement of the initial date for the beatification. The event has been highly anticipated and is expected to be held at Peoria’s Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, the same location of Sheen’s ordination 101 years ago and where he served as an altar boy. Updates on his beatification can be found at www.celebratesheen.com.

Sheen’s ministry took him all over the U.S. and the world, where he celebrated Mass at churches like Our Lady of Grace. The archbishop had a gift for reaching souls across the airwaves and in person, making his points

in culturally relevant ways using his trademark humor.

PROPHETIC MESSAGE IN GREENSBORO

News of Sheen’s Greensboro visit was heralded at least three times in the city’s newspaper, in which he was noted, along with his friend and famed evangelist Billy Graham, as one of the world’s most widely known religious leaders.

As it happens, Graham visited Greensboro just a few days after Sheen in 1976.

It was Sheen’s first visit to the city in many years, although he had traveled to North Carolina the year before to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Raleigh and serve as a featured speaker at a Methodist church in Charlotte.

Coverage of his visit included an interview in the church’s rectory with Greensboro Daily News religion writer Harvey Harris. The interview piece was titled “Sheen: Church’s Role Taken Over By Media.”

At that point, Sheen’s “Life Is Worth Living” had been off the air for nearly 20 years and “The Fulton Sheen Program” for nearly 10. Widely considered a prophet of the times, his comments bore significance at the time and are increasingly, perhaps even chillingly, relevant in today’s culture.

When the reporter asked him why churches had abandoned their prophetic role and de-emphasized their job of calling men to justice, Sheen replied: “Partly because of the social gospel. Today’s social gospel has gotten churches more related to the economy and the social order and less related to the spiritual and the divine.” The social gospel “is right and good, but too often based on neglect of the individual. So, we save communities rather than souls within these communities.

You need a standard outside what is currently popular to be prophetic,” he said, noting problems caused by ignorance of the Bible and neglect of the Gospel.

“You never know how fast you are going without a barometer outside yourself,” he explained. Churches weren’t “talking prophetically because a prophetic role requires a deep understanding of our generation and the ability to judge it by the gospel standard.”

Sheen also noted that confusion was caused by changing lifestyles and accompanying fads, and he warned against “identifying yourself with a symbol or a catch-word.”

Regarding dissension in churches, he said the Church is holy “when it is opposed from without, not from within.”

Sheen also said people are caught up too much in “a spirit of negativism” and because of their “bad conscience are compelled to find what’s wrong with everything.” He continued by saying a lot is troubling us on the inside, warning that “we live in a sensate, emotional age.” He also noted that many leaders at the time were concerned about the world because “there’s nothing permanent in it.”

However, he was quick to say that spiritual leaders should focus on how many are coming into the Church and that clergy should “accentuate the positive.”

The tenor of Sheen’s words was consistent with many of his homilies and talks during the final years of his life. His visit to Greensboro was not long before a sharp decline in his health. It has been noted that the pain he experienced and his messages to the faithful were particularly intense at this time of his life.

In a foreword to Sheen’s autobiography, “Treasure in Clay,” Raymond Arroyo writes about the archbishop’s state in the late 1970s: “Starting in 1977, he underwent a series of surgeries that sapped his strength and even made preaching difficult. He must have known that this would be his final work because one senses an urgency on these pages, an eagerness to impart these lessons, particularly those dealing with the spiritual bounty found in pain. The last chapters crackle with the same zeal and determination of his final homilies from the late ’70s; they are prophetic and impassioned, free from the gilded edges of the past.”

The gloves were off, in a sense, and it was for the best.

The prophetic Sheen spoke of Christ and the Gospel with clarity and aplomb, as affirmed to him during a tender moment between the archbishop and future St. John Paul II. His preaching was ardent, done first and foremost with love – love of Christ and souls.

His future beatification, an official recognition of his holiness and heroic virtue, is sure to shower blessings on Our Lady of Grace, Peoria, and communities in every corner of this country where he’s touched individual souls. As the faithful patiently pray for the blessed day to arrive, we ask this zealous and holy man to intercede for us during these troubled times. Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, pray for us!

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 6, 2020 OUR PARISHES

Rosary offered in support of law enforcement

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

ANDREWS — Knights of Columbus Council 14087 recently led a public rosary in support of local law enforcement officers.

The Knights prayed the rosary and drew parallels between Mary’s call to serve and law enforcement officers’ call to serve the community.

They gave thanks for local law enforcement’s sacrifices and willingness to serve in support of justice, and they prayed that officers would heed the needs of the community. Community members and Clay County Sheriff Bobby Deese were on hand for the prayer vigil to lift up all who serve in law enforcement and to pray for continued protection as they continue to serve their communities daily.

O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request.)

There are none that can withstand your power.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times.)

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

3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory Be

PHOTOS BY PHIL ROCHE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Published in gratitude for prayers answered.

Thank you, Pat O.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JAMES SARKIS AND MIKE FITZGERALD

Pro-Life rosary procession to Planned Parenthood CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Pro-Life Action Network of Charlotte (C-PLAN) and St. Patrick Cathedral Respect Life Ministry co-sponsored a walking rosary procession to the Planned Parenthood abortion facility Oct. 17. Close to 20 people attended Mass, and then walked the mile from the cathedral to Planned Parenthood to pray for an end to abortion. The group was joined by Father Ernest Nebangongnjoh, the cathedral’s parochial vicar. For more information about future processions, contact C-PLAN at info@prolifecharlotte.org or go online to www.prolifecharlotte.org.

Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.

Luke 2:14

This Advent and Christmas set your heart and mind on the things above!

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THE CATHOLIC SHOPPE At Belmont Abbey College “That in all things God be Glorified”

Eucharistic Congress winning entries announced In celebration of the 2020 Eucharistic Congress, children from across the Diocese of Charlotte entered brief essays on the topic: “What does Jesus’ gift to us in the Holy Eucharist mean to you personally?”

Catholic News Herald staff chose two winning entries – one from among middle school entrants and a second from among high school entrants. The winning essays are:

What Jesus’ gift in the Eucharist means to me The Eucharist is taken once by each person during every Catholic Mass. What does it mean, though?

For me, the Eucharist is a clear representation of what Jesus gave up for us. He literally gave up His Body and Blood for us sinful humans just so that we could be forgiven and saved. Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice and the Eucharist reminds us of it every time we look upon it and taste it.

To me, I see the Eucharist as Jesus’ pledge of His love for us and for God, and it is His way of saying, “I am with you forever and always.”

The Eucharist was first presented in

the Last Supper when Jesus gave bread and wine to His disciples and told them it was His Body and Blood which “will be given up for you and for many.” During each Mass, the Last Supper story is retold to us so we can never forget the great and glorious sacrifice our Savior did for us.

The Eucharist is also called Holy Communion and I remember when I did my first Communion. It was a big deal, I had to go to church lessons and learn all about what it meant and about our Father.

I was so excited, though, and before I got to take the Eucharist, I had to confess my sins. This would prepare me to be worthy of taking Communion and although I was ashamed of all the sins I had to confess, I knew I needed to do it.

Every time I take the Eucharist, I mentally remind myself of Jesus’ great sacrifice and how brave our Savior was. So for me, the Eucharist stands for bravery, courage, sacrifice and the ultimate gift to our Father in heaven.

— Leah Crouch, 17

What it means to me to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist When I received Jesus in the Holy

Eucharist for the first time, I was so happy.

That night, which was a Saturday, I asked my mom, “Do I get to receive Him again tomorrow?” She smiled and said, “Yes!” From that Sunday on, I was changed spiritually. I became so much closer to Jesus.

Four months later, I was able to participate in the procession at the Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte. It was so special to be able to throw petals in my First Communion dress for Jesus Christ. I was very glad to be a part of this amazing celebration!

After the virus started, I couldn’t receive Jesus in Holy Communion. I went almost three months without Him! The day I was able to receive the Eucharist again, I felt so much better. I was less lonely, and I wasn’t missing Him in my heart. I’m very happy to be with Him every day and to receive Him into my soul every Sunday.

Receiving the Eucharist is an amazing gift from God. Although we don’t have the opportunity to see Jesus in the flesh, I can receive Him into my body and soul through Holy Communion. I often think of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and I feel deeply blessed that I get to be a part of the celebration of the Last Supper and become one with Our Lord.

— Mary Ferguson, 11

November 6, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI 9A

Pro-life signs vandalized, stolen KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Pro-life signs outside four parishes and two schools were vandalized or stolen in October.

St. Vincent de Paul and St. Ann churches in Charlotte, St. Mark Church in Huntersville, and St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro reported that prolife signs erected for Respect Life Month and the elections were stolen or vandalized last month. Similar signs at Holy Trinity Middle School and Charlotte Catholic High School were also stolen.

Large pro-life banners on display in front of St. Vincent de Paul Church on Old Reid Road were vandalized three times in October. The signs – urging “Pray Every Day to End Abortion” and “America, Defend Life” – were cut in half.

One of the banners with a pro-life message was then stolen from outside the church between Oct. 9 and 10, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police report.

The remaining banner in front of the Charlotte parish was repaired after being slashed several times, said the parish’s Respect Life coordinators Steve and Gail Barringer.

“We’re not going to let this stop us,” Steve Barringer said. The pair said they continue to pray for those who have committed these

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In Brief

acts and will continue to bear witness for the rights of the unborn.

This was not the first time St. Vincent de Paul Church has been targeted: Other prolife displays have been damaged or stolen several times over the past few years. Last year, small crosses on display in front of the church were also stolen.

At St. Ann Church on Park Road, similar pro-life signs were stolen sometime overnight Oct. 20-21.

Pro-life banners at Holy Trinity Middle School, also located on Park Road, were vandalized and then subsequently stolen in separate incidents.

A pro-life sign was also stolen from in front of Charlotte Catholic High School on Pineville-Matthews Road sometime between Oct. 16 and 17.

In Greensboro, a pro-life banner in front of St. Paul the Apostle Church was cut apart, pastor Father Joseph Mack reported.

In Huntersville, a Respect Life banner stating, “Voting saves lives. Vote pro-life,” was stolen from outside St. Mark Church a few days after it was installed. The theft occurred sometime Oct. 20-21, the parish reported.

All of the stolen or damaged banners were replaced or repaired.

“We created (this banner) specifically for a time and place such as this one with the current events going on in the world,” said Father Alfonso Gámez, St. Mark’s parochial

composed both music and lyrics over the past three decades.

Haigler directed the adult, children and youth choirs, handbell choir and instrumentalists, as well as the praise band and Latino music ministry. He also lent his vocal talents to the diocesan choir, performing annually at the Eucharistic Congress each fall.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

MiraVia holds virtual fundraiser

Longtime music directors retire CHARLOTTE — Two familiar faces in parish music ministry recently announced their retirements: Kathy Bartlett, St. Matthew Church’s music director for the past 34 years, and Phil Haigler, director of music ministry at St. Therese Church in Mooresville for the past 18 years.

Bartlett was a vital part of the parish since its earliest years. She managed over a dozen ministries and well over 1,000 ministry volunteers. Besides her vocal talents, she has

BELMONT — MiraVia held its 26th annual “Path to Life” fundraiser online Oct. 29 due to restrictions on large in-person gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. William Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College guided viewers through the virtual event.

Viewers prayed along with Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari during the invocation; learned more about MiraVia from executive director Debbie Capen; heard from two mothers currently living in the residential facility at Belmont Abbey College; and a recent graduate of the MiraVia residential program.

Susan Rodriguez, board president, also spoke about how MiraVia has adapted to pandemic guidelines to continue serving mothers and their children who come to them for assistance.

Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and longtime supporter of MiraVia, offered the benediction.

The keynote address this year was delivered

by Melissa Ohden, survivor of a failed saline infusion abortion in 1977. Ohden is the founder and director of The Abortion Survivors Network and is a master’s level prepared social worker.

She is the author of “You Carried Me: A Daughter’s Memoir.”

MiraVia shared with viewers that last year: a total of 819 moms and babies were served; 2,654 bags of clothing were given out; 9,971 pounds of food was distributed; 54,640 diapers were given out; 841 total volunteer hours were given; and 567 residents and 9,199 outreach clients received assistance.

MiraVia’s fundraising goal this year is $500,000. Get more information about how to volunteer or donate at www.mira-via.org.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

vicar. “The Lord has specifically given us the grace of faith, to be able to not only be witnesses and spectators of such sacrileges and difficulties that are going on in the world, but that we are called to be, in a certain sense, co-redeemers of this world.”

Father Gámez asked people to pray for the country “with the turmoil that we face and that for individuals who act out – out of an absence of knowledge and love of God – that they may come to be filled with His grace, and live in that love that the Lord wants for them.”

Virtual workshop for fathers coming up Nov. 12 Fathers and other Catholic leaders can attend an upcoming virtual workshop designed to help Catholic boys grow into men. The Reclaim Fatherhood workshop will be held online 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12.

Presenters are Jimmy Mitchell and Jason Craig. Mitchell, who speaks around the country on the topic of attaining manhood, notes manhood is not something that boys naturally and gradually grow into. Manhood is something men have to win. According to his website, “We need to reclaim the essential relationships and understandings of man as revealed by nature and the teachings of the Catholic Church.” Craig is the author of “Leaving Boyhood Behind,” a book based on Catholic teaching that helps boys transition into adulthood. Both Mitchell and Craig are associated with the growing Fraternus organization in which boys from sixth to 12th grade gather to “eat, play and pray.”

To register for the Reclaim Fatherhood workshop, go online to www.reclaimfatherhood.com.

— David Hains

Jessica Grabowski, the diocese’s Respect Life program director, noted, “We must remember that the fight for life is most importantly a spiritual fight. Although it is unfortunate and inconvenient when things like this happen, it illustrates hope that the Catholic community is making great strides in our steadfast efforts to promote the protection of all human life, from conception to natural death.

“We must continue to surround all our efforts for life in prayer and through acts of reparation.”

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request.)

There are none that can withstand your power.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times.)

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

3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory Be Published in gratitude for prayers answered.

Thank you, I.S.

Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of November: Abbot Oscar Burnett, OSB – 2017 Rev. John P. Bradley – 2003 Rev. Raphael Bridge, OSB – 1996 Rev. Msgr. John P. Manley – 1981 Rev. Bernard A. Manley Jr. – 2016 Rev. Charles T. Reese – 2017 Rev. John A. Regan – 1976 Rev. D. Edward Sullivan – 2009 Rev. Stephen A. Sullivan - 1989

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 6, 2020 10A

Campaña informativa busca reducir el impacto de COVID-19 en Latinos

Eduardo Bernal

La Oración de Jesús por el pueblo Santo

CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

“

No ruego solo por estos, sino también por todos aquellos que creerán en mí por tu palabra. Que todos sean uno, como tú, Padre estás en mí y yo en tí. Que ellos también estén en nosotros, para que el mundo crea que tú me has enviado” (Jn. 17: 20-21).

Todos en un momento u otro caemos en la tentación de criticar lo que llamamos el mundo, o las cosas del mundo en el que vivimos y olvidamos que ha sido creado por Dios para nosotros (Gen. 1). Olvidamos en ese momento de tentación que ese mundo, del que muchas veces no creemos ser parte, es al que nosotros hemos sido enviados a trabajar (Mt. 9, 37).

En estos tiempos de pandemia, elecciones, violencia, miedo, duelos e incertidumbre, vale la pena recordar cuál es la vocación del ser humano, que es amar, pues hemos sido creados a imagen y semejanza de Dios y Dios es Amor (1Jn. 4, 8).

Jesús Nuestro Señor nos recuerda cada día quienes somos, a lo que estamos llamados y lo que se espera de nosotros. “Bienaventurados los que tienen hambre y sed de justicia, pues ellos serán saciados.

Bienaventurados los misericordiosos, pues ellos recibirán misericordia” (Mt. 5: 6-7).

Somos hijos de Dios por nuestro Bautismo, miembros del cuerpo de Cristo a través de su Iglesia nacida en Pentecostés por el Espíritu Santo (Hch. 2).

La palabra nos recuerda quienes son integrantes de la familia de Jesús: “tomen a cualquiera que cumpla la voluntad de mi Padre de los Cielos, y ese para mí es un hermano, una hermana o una madre” (Mt. 12: 49-50).

Entonces, ¿cómo ser los mejores viñadores que podemos ser? Las obras de misericordia espirituales y corporales nos dan muy buenas ideas de cómo ser buenos trabajadores de esta viña.

Este es un tiempo de gracia en que se nos da la oportunidad de poner en práctica la cultura del encuentro, aquella a la que nos llama el Papa Francisco en Evangelii Gaudium # 24. Claro, aplicando las normas de higiene recomendadas: cubreboca, distancia social, encuentros por zoom, etc.

Hermanos, hermanas, ¡no hay tiempo que perder!

San Pablo nos lo recuerda: “Aprovechen el momento presente, porque estos tiempos son malos. Por tanto, no sean irresponsables, sino traten de comprender cuál es la voluntad del Señor” (Efe. 5: 16-17). ¡Este es nuestro momento! Somos bautizados católicos llamados a la comunión, a dar testimonio de Cristo, a hacer Iglesia, a ser signos de Gracia y no de culpa. Por eso, antes que liberales o conservadores, documentados o no, enfermos o sanos, pobres o ricos, nuestra misión en esta oración de Jesús es ser uno en Él.

Recordemos todos por lo que seremos juzgados: lee Mt 25, 31-46. Tal vez nos tomará toda la vida y toda la vida puede ser un día, un mes, un año más, solo Dios sabe; pero con la Fortaleza del Espíritu de Dios, el alimento de la Eucaristía, las oraciones de la comunidad y nuestro granito de arena, se cumplirá esta palabra de Jesús en San Juan 17. Ánimo. Con Cristo y María se puede.

EDUARDO BERNAL es coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Charlotte.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Charlie Petrizzo, fundador de Project2Heal, juega con uno de los cachorros Labrador Retriever que cría y entrena para servir en la asistencia a veteranos de guerra que sufren de estrés posttraumático. Un evento virtual, Proyecto2Heal Pup-A-Thon se realizará el 4 de diciembre para asistir financieramente a la organización.

DIA DE LOS VETERANOS

Cachorros de Project2Heal ayudan a veteranos en el país SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

WAXHAW — Los veteranos de todo el país pueden dar fe que, cuando combaten los efectos del trastorno de estrés postraumático, todo comienza con un cachorro.

Desde hace 15 años, los cachorros Labrador Retriever de Project2Heal han sido fundamentales para el bienestar físico y emocional de veteranos que después de servir a su país sufren los efectos devastadores de la guerra.

Charlie Petrizzo y su esposa, Sandy, iniciaron el programa de cría y entrenamiento de cachorros Project2Heal en 2005 con sus propios recursos.

Hay aproximadamente 20 millones de veteranos en Estados Unidos y las estadísticas muestran que aproximadamente 25 de ellos se suicidan diariamente.

Un estudio de la Universidad de Medicina Veterinaria de Purdue documentó en 2018 que los perros de servicio entrenados ayudaron a algunos veteranos a reducir la depresión, hipervigilancia, temblores nocturnos y arrebatos de ira causados por su servicio en el ejército.

Petrizzo recordó una situación sucedida hace algunos años que subrayó la importancia de lo que Project2Heal está haciendo por los veteranos.

“Sandy y yo fuimos invitados por uno de nuestros socios (de entrenamiento de perros de servicio). Había un joven a mi derecha, era imagen de fuerza y coraje.

Tenía un tatuaje de los Marines en el brazo. Gentilmente puso su mano sobre mi hombro. Se inclinó. Estaba llorando y susurró entre lágrimas: “Señor, muchas gracias por este perro. Estaba a punto de quitarme la vida. Ahora lo tengo y él me cuidará y será mi misión. Les prometo que me ocuparé de él”.

La pandemia de COVID-19 ha afectado profundamente a Project2Heal. Un evento virtual, Proyect2Heal Pup-A-Thon ha sido programado el 4 de diciembre para brindar ayuda con sus problemas financieros.

“Creemos firmemente que podemos reducir el tiempo de nuestros socios para entregar perros a los veteranos. Tendremos dos beneficios: reduciremos costos y salvaremos más vidas”, dijo Petrizzo.

Más online En www.project2heal.org: Puede efectuar un donativo. Contacte a Petrizzo en 704-256-4056 o envíe un correo a information@project2heal.org.

CHARLOTTE — Por medio de una intensa campaña de información lanzada en medios de comunicación masiva de habla hispana, la Asociación Americana del Corazón (AHA) busca atenuar el impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en la población hispana de CharlotteMecklenburg.

Héctor Salgado, director de impacto comunitario de AHA, dijo que conocía de la fuerza con la que el Coronavirus había golpeado a las minorías, pero no había estado consciente de la gravedad del problema.

“Un día conversaba con los promotores de salud y los voluntarios que dan apoyo a la despensa de una parroquia y me pude enterar que varios de ellos habían sido contagiados de COVID-19 y se encontraban en cuarentena. Esta fue la primera vez que algunas personas con las que había trabajado de cerca habían dado positivo”, comentó.

Posteriormente, en otro grupo de aproximadamente 25 personas de la pastoral de salud del vicariato de Charlotte que se capacitaba en salud coronaria a través de una reunión por Zoom, seis de ellos le expresaron que habían tenido COVID-19 y muchos más conocían de otras personas que se habían infectado.

Finalmente, durante una visita a un mercado pudo apreciar muchas señales de advertencia en inglés sobre el uso de mascarillas faciales, lavado de manos y mantenimiento de la distancia social. En contraste, en un flea market notó la ausencia de información y que la población latina casi no utilizaba mascarillas ni existían señales de advertencia.

“Es necesario actuar para dar información preventiva a la comunidad”, se dijo.

“Creo que nuestras autoridades locales hicieron bien en enfocarse en las pruebas, pero les faltó llegada a través de mensajes específicamente hechos para la comunidad en diarios y vallas publicitarias”, señaló.

Al parecer, dijo Salgado, la desinformación hizo que muchas personas creyeran que con zumos, infusiones y recetas caseras era posible prevenir el coronavirus.

Este factor, combinado con la realidad que muchos latinos CAMPAÑA, PASA A LA PÁGINA 20A

November 6, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

11A

Esperanza para familias afectadas económicamente por la pandemia Programa Hope asiste en pagos de alquiler y servicios CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — El Gobernador de Carolina del Norte, Roy Cooper, dio a conocer que ha destinado $117 millones de dólares para ayudar a las familias que atraviesan problemas económicos relacionados con la pandemia de COVID-19 y enfrentan inconvenientes para pagar sus rentas y servicios.

Gracias al programa de Oportunidades de Vivienda y Prevención de Desalojo (HOPE, por sus siglas en inglés), inquilinos de bajos y moderados ingresos serán elegibles para recibir ayuda económica destinada al pago de sus viviendas y utilidades vencidas o por vencer.

El nuevo programa ayudará a prevenir desalojos y la desconexión de servicios básicos como agua, energía y gas, para promover la estabilidad de vivienda en hogares que han sido duramente golpeados por la pandemia.

HOPE no es un programa de préstamos de dinero, más bien concede fondos y efectúa pagos a los propietarios y/o compañías de servicios a nombre del deudor solicitante.

Está disponible hasta por seis meses, incluyendo deudas pasadas y futuras. De esta manera se espera mantener a los inquilinos en sus viviendas hasta que superen sus momentos difíciles.

ELEGIBILIDAD

Para gestionar los beneficios, los solicitantes deben haber sido afectados económicamente por la pandemia de Coronavirus, tener un ingreso de hogar menor o igual al 80% del promedio del área, y estar atrasado en el pago de su renta y/o servicios en el momento que efectúen la solicitud.

Quienes necesiten ayuda del programa deben llamar al servicio telefónico 2-1-1, donde un asesor les efectuará una encuesta para evaluar si califican. En caso de ser así, serán referidos a una agencia comunitaria asociada para completar el proceso de registro. También es posible aplicar online en nc211.org. La solicitud puede ser por ayuda en pagos de renta, servicios o ambos.

Durante la llamada al 2-1-1, se preguntará a los solicitantes sobre los ingresos familiares y otros factores de elegibilidad. Es recomendable que tengan a mano los documentos que respalden esa información como boletas de pago, identificaciones emitidas por el gobierno, prueba de ocupación de la propiedad, contrato de renta y copia de recibos de servicios públicos.

En caso de aprobarse la solicitud, el propietario o arrendatario de la vivienda (landlord) debe corregir el contrato de arrendamiento para permitir que pueda recibir pagos directamente de HOPE.

DESALOJOS EN MORATORIA

El pasado miércoles 28 de octubre, el Gobernador Cooper firmó la orden ejecutiva 171 que previene desalojos para las personas que están imposibilitadas económicamente de pagar sus rentas.

“Muchas familias están tratando de nivelarse, pero el virus les ha hecho la tarea extremadamente difícil”, dijo el gobernador en conferencia de prensa. Además, manifestó que entre 300 a 400 mil hogares en todo Carolina del Norte no pueden pagar sus rentas por lo que, sin esta disposición, alrededor de 250 mil órdenes de desalojo podrían haber sido enviadas hasta enero de 2021.

Esta nueva orden ejecutiva se basa en la moratoria federal de desalojos de los Centros de Control y Prevención de Enfermedades de Estados Unidos (CDC), que requiere que los propietarios se aseguren que los inquilinos conozcan las protecciones de los CDC y cómo reclamarlas.

También aclara que esta moratoria se aplica a todos los residentes elegibles de Carolina del Norte, no solo a aquellos que ocupan viviendas subsidiadas por el gobierno federal.

Más online En www.nc211.org/hope: Encuentre mayores informes, aplique al programa, reporte fraudes y abusos.

(Izquierda) El autobús de la Alianza Nacional por el TPS, ‘La Libertad’, fue recibido por activistas y líderes de la comunidad de fe. (Arriba) El Padre Gregorio Gay, párroco de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, dijo que “es justo y necesario” que los tepesianos tengan una vía a la ciudadanía.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Lucha por derechos de Tepesianos recibe apoyo de comunidad de fe CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — “La libertad”, el autobús que recorre territorio americano desde Los Ángeles hasta Washington, D.C. promoviendo el otorgamiento de residencia permanente para los beneficiarios de TPS, arribó a Charlotte el pasado martes 27 de octubre.

La delegación del National TPS Alliance (Alianza Nacional del TPS) que lidera esta iniciativa, fue recibida por organizaciones pro inmigrantes y representantes de grupos de fe locales en la sede de la Iglesia Metodista Central United, localizada en Albemarle Road.

Organizadores y asistentes utilizaron mascarillas faciales y trataron de mantener el distanciamiento social en todo momento. Además, como medida de prevención adicional por el COVID-19, se instalaron estaciones en las que se proveía de mascarillas, protectores faciales y gel sanitario a quienes los requerían.

“Estamos en esta lucha con ustedes”, dijo la pastora Pam Blackstock de la Iglesia Central United, “Martin Luther King, un luchador de nuestra fe, dijo que hasta que todos estemos libres, nadie estará libre”, continuó.

“Señor, oramos por una ley que realmente les proporcione una vía a la ciudadanía, para que sean verdaderamente miembros de esta nación soberana”, rogó.

Areníbar Cruz, miembro local de la Alianza Nacional del TPS, dijo que la visita de estos héroes quedará plasmada en sus corazones.

“Lucho por mi familia y lucho por los demás, porque estamos viviendo momentos de injusticia, porque estamos perdiendo un TPS que lo hemos tenido por años”. Luego recordó que “para esta administración el TPS está cancelado”, y por eso “estamos luchando en este tiempo de elecciones, para que sea restaurado”.

Cruz confía en que Dios los ayudará en esta lucha. “Él está viendo que estamos trabajando, no estamos sentados. No estamos solo diciendo ‘Dios mío, Dios mío ayúdanos’. Dios hace su parte y nosotros hacemos la nuestra”.

El Padre Gregorio Gay, quien acudió a la llegada del bus acompañado de varios feligreses de su parroquia, dijo que, aunque no pertenece a la organización que defiende a los tepesianos, “estamos aquí porque creemos en la causa por la cual este bus -y la gente que anda en este bus- está luchando: sus derechos humanos. En este país deben tener la oportunidad de no solo tener otro permiso de seis meses más sino de residencia, y más adelante de ser ciudadanos de este país”. “Esto es justo y necesario”, subrayó.

Alex Cruz, un niño de 11 años, dijo estar presente en apoyo a su padre, quien ha estado en Estados Unidos por

más de dos décadas.

“Soy ciudadano americano y creo que tengo el derecho de tener a mis padres aquí sin que sean deportados”, reclamó.

CUENTA REGRESIVA

Desde que tomó el poder ejecutivo, el presidente Trump ha cancelado los programas de protección temporal de seis países. Según la organización American Friends Service Committee, más de 300 mil personas están en riesgo de perder su estatus de protección temporal.

En septiembre de este año, la Corte de Apelaciones del Noveno circuito decidió a favor de la norma que pone fin al Estatus de Protección Temporal a El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haití y Sudán.

El mismo concluirá el 4 de enero de 2021 y sus beneficiarios deberán abandonar el país o permanecer ilegalmente en él.

Catholic Legal Immigration Network señaló en un comunicado que la decisión potencialmente puede causar la mayor crisis de separación familiar en el país, a menos que el Congreso tome acción inmediata. Más de 270,000 ciudadanos americanos tienen padres protegidos por el TPS. “Los titulares de TPS perderían su estatus legal y sus hijos ciudadanos estadounidenses podrían verse obligados a hacer una elección imposible entre sus familias y sus hogares”, afirmó la Alianza Nacional del TPS.

DURA TRAVESÍA

“La libertad”, el autobús que transporta a los activistas de la Alianza por el TPS, partió en agosto desde Los Ángeles, California. Lamentablemente, la pandemia de COVID-19 afectó a algunos de sus integrantes y debieron mantenerse en cuarentena.

El autobús ha realizado campaña en ciudades en California, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Carolina del Sur y Carolina del Norte.

Tras su visita a Charlotte, la delegación se dirigió a Raleigh. Posteriormente visitará los estados de Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey y Maryland, para concluir su trayecto en la capital del país, Washington, D.C. donde se espera su arribo durante la segunda semana de noviembre.

Más online En www.secure.actblue.com/donate/ntpsa: Puede contribuir económicamente a la campaña por el TPS. Visite nationaltpsalliance.org para mayor información.

catholicnewsherald.com | November 6, 2020 12A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

MES DEL RESPETO A LA VIDA: FOCO EN LA PORNOGRAFÍA

Criando niños castos en un mundo de pornografía

E

n los tiempos modernos, la prevalencia de la pornografía se ha convertido en un problema para los padres. Les presentamos cinco pasos que los padres pueden tomar para criar hijos castos en un mundo de pornografía.

1. Padres, enseñen a sus hijos el verdadero significado de la sexualidad humana y edúquenlos en castidad.

Formar a hijos en la castidad es una de las responsabilidades más importantes que tienen los padres. Vivimos en una cultura altamente sexualizada, y los niños reciben educación en sexualidad todo el tiempo.

Contrariamente a la idea que la Iglesia rechaza el sexo, la Iglesia quiere preservar el verdadero significado del amor, incluida la sexualidad. La relación sexual matrimonial, tal como Dios la diseñó, sirve para promover la unidad del esposo y la esposa y la creación de una nueva vida (ver Génesis 1:28; 2: 23-24).

Los padres deben explicar a sus hijos el poder del sexo. Una analogía a utilizar es que la sexualidad es como un fuego.

Un fuego en la chimenea es bueno; su resplandor trae calidez, luz y alegría al hogar. Un incendio en el medio del piso de la sala es malo; sin los límites adecuados, puede quemar toda la casa hasta los cimientos.

2. Tenga en cuenta la disponibilidad generalizada de pornografía y el hecho que muchos niños están expuestos a ella a edades tempranas.

La edad promedio de la primera exposición a la pornografía es de 11 años.

Algunos niños están expuestos a la

pornografía inadvertidamente cuando están online. Otros están expuestos debido a la curiosidad natural sobre sexualidad humana.

A menudo, los padres temen que enseñar a sus hijos sobre sexualidad signifique decir “demasiado y muy pronto”. Pero dadas las edades tempranas en que los niños pueden ver pornografía por primera vez, desafortunadamente lo que sucede con más frecuencia es que los padres dicen “muy poco y demasiado tarde”. La educación en la castidad puede comenzar a edades tempranas fomentando la modestia, el respeto por el cuerpo y el autocontrol.

3. Si tiene problemas con el uso de la pornografía, busque su propia curación para ser un buen ejemplo y testigo del amor casto por sus hijos.

A muchos padres les resulta difícil abordar temas como la sexualidad o pornografía con sus hijos debido a la vergüenza que sienten por sus propios pecados y luchas sexuales, pasadas o presentes. La historia de sanación de un padre es una historia poderosa de redención y conversión.

Padres, si personalmente luchan o han luchado contra la pornografía u otros pecados sexuales, nunca es demasiado tarde para dar un buen ejemplo a sus hijos. Busque la ayuda que necesita de la Iglesia, consejeros profesionales o grupos de apoyo locales para superar los hábitos pecaminosos que lo han agobiado.

4. Esté atento a la tecnología que permite se utilice en su hogar y establezca límites estrictos instalando software de filtrado

Your Life’s Journey… how will you be remembered?

Establish a legacy that responds to the many gifts God has given you.

y educando a sus hijos sobre el uso de la tecnología.

La tecnología, y particularmente Internet, es ahora la puerta principal de acceso a la pornografía. Todo, desde iPods hasta consolas de juegos, desde computadoras portátiles a tabletas, desde televisores a teléfonos inteligentes, todos los dispositivos que se conectan a Internet pueden acceder a pornografía. Por lo tanto, es importante que los padres sigan esta regla: si no estoy dispuesto a vigilarlo, no lo permitiré.

Cuando se trata de proteger a nuestros hijos del peor contenido online, un buen control parental puede ser de gran ayuda. A continuación se ofrecen algunos consejos: n Instale filtros de Internet en todos los dispositivos conectados a Internet: computadoras domésticas, portátiles, tabletas, teléfonos, etc. n Establezca una cultura de responsabilidad en su hogar. Junto con el software de filtrado, los padres también deberían recibir informes de responsabilidad en Internet. La responsabilidad no se trata de “descubrir” a los niños haciendo mal uso, sino de ayudarlos a pensar de manera más crítica sobre su utilización de Internet. n Utilice “búsqueda segura” en todos los navegadores. Si bien estos no son infalibles, pueden proporcionar una capa adicional de protección. n Hoy en día, muchos dispositivos móviles vienen con controles parentales integrados que limitan el tipo de contenido y aplicaciones que los niños pueden acceder en estos dispositivos.

Una preocupación que los padres deben tener en cuenta son las interacciones sexuales en línea. En primer lugar, está el problema generalizado del “sexting”: enviar mensajes, imágenes o videos sexualmente explícitos a través de mensajes de texto, correo electrónico o redes sociales.

La segunda amenaza son los depredadores sexuales online que se aprovechan de la vulnerabilidad de los adolescentes. Los depredadores online utilizan principalmente las redes sociales para identificar y preparar a sus víctimas.

Probablemente siempre habrá tanto adultos como adolescentes que busquen manipular y abusar de los demás para obtener placer y poder sexual. Los padres deben engendrar sabiduría en sus hijos hablando sobre el cuerpo y su carácter sagrado. Enséñeles que debemos mantener en privado ciertas partes del cuerpo, no porque el cuerpo sea malo o vergonzoso, sino porque solo su cónyuge debe verlo “desnudo y sin vergüenza”, como dicen las

Ryan Foley Escrituras (Génesis 2:25).

También enseñe a sus hijos a desconfiar de los desconocidos que están online.

Sus hijos deben saber que si eligen ser vulnerables online, ya sea emocional o sexualmente, hay personas que se aprovecharán de eso.

5. Cultive relaciones amorosas y de confianza con sus hijos para que se sientan cómodos al dirigirse a usted con preguntas sobre sexualidad o imágenes sexuales que pueden haber visto inadvertidamente.

Los padres, cuando brindan a sus hijos estructura y apoyo, no serán autoritarios (extremadamente exigentes sin calidez) ni permisivos (muy receptivos y cálidos sin expectativas), sino cariñosamente autoritarios.

Los padres permisivos (puro apoyo, poca disciplina) sin querer entrenan a sus niños para que crean que todos sus caprichos y deseos son buenos. Estos padres creen falsamente que la mejor manera de nutrir el carácter de un niño es a través de menos reglas y más amor familiar. Estos padres indulgentes crían hijos que fácilmente se adentran en el campo minado del pecado sexual y tienen poca experiencia en resistir tentaciones y deseos.

En el otro extremo, los padres autoritarios (pura disciplina, poco apoyo) crían niños que buscan refugio en cualquier lugar menos en casa. Estos padres crean un hogar demasiado crítico, desprovisto de afirmación y estímulo.

Los niños de estos hogares comienzan a creer que sus padres no se preocupan por ellos o que nunca estarán a la altura de sus expectativas. Estos padres estrictos, sin desearlo, llevarán a sus hijos al campo minado del pecado sexual.

Pero cuando los padres brindan una disciplina sólida y un apoyo amoroso a sus hijos, crían hijos sabios que desean la rectitud y niños amados que saben que pueden acudir a sus padres en busca de ayuda y misericordia. Dios siempre está dispuesto a entregarnos misericordia. A través de interacciones amorosas con un padre, los niños llegan a experimentar y luego aprenden a confiar en Su misericordia.

RYAN FOLEY es consultor de seguridad en Internet y vicepresidente de desarrollo comercial de Covenant Eyes, un servicio de filtrado y responsabilidad de Internet. Este artículo es parte de la serie “Corazones limpios” de la USCCB y un recurso complementario de la declaración pastoral de 2015 de los obispos de Estados Unidos. “Crea en mí un corazón limpio: una respuesta pastoral a la pornografía”.

Recursos online

Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte

For more information on how to leave a legacy for your parish, please contact Gina Rhodes, Director of Planned Giving at 704/370-3364 or gmrhodes@charlottediocese.org.

En www.usccb.org: Encontrará más recursos para combatir la pornografía y podrá leer la declaración pastoral de los obispos de Estados Unidos “Crea en mí un corazón limpio: una respuesta pastoral a la pornografía”. Haga click en la pestaña “Issues & Action”, seleccione “Topics” y luego “Pornography”.

En www.faithandsafety.org: Encuentre información y guía sobre cómo navegar con su familia en este mundo digital de manera segura.

November 6, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Lecturas Diarias

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

De izquierda a derecha: Escalinata por la que ascienden los fieles que visitan el retablo donde se encuentra la talla de la Virgen de la Almudena. Detalle de una de las puertas de la Catedral que muestra la ceremonia de consagración de la catedral por San Juan Pablo II en 1993. Imagen de la Santísima Virgen de la Almudena tallada en madera entre los siglos XV y XVI.

Hispanidad celebra la Fiesta de Santa María de la Almudena CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

Cada 9 de noviembre se celebra la festividad de Santa María de la Almudena o Nuestra Señora de la Almudena, patrona de la Arquidiócesis de Madrid y de la ciudad de Madrid desde su fundación como Villa. Fue coronada canónicamente el 10 de noviembre de 1948 y declarada como única patrona de Madrid en el año 1977 por el Papa Pablo VI. El título de la advocación mariana es de origen árabe, “al mudayna”, que significa “la ciudadela”, en referencia a la muralla militar que rodeaba el lugar que hoy ocupa la Catedral de Madrid y el Palacio Real.

Sobre la procedencia de la imagen existen varias tradiciones. Una leyenda cuenta que fue tallada por Nicodemus, pintada por San Lucas y llevada a España por el Apóstol Santiago cuando llegó a la península ibérica a predicar el Evangelio.

Se cree que en el año 712, antes que Madrid fuera tomada por los árabes, los madrileños escondieron la imagen de la Virgen en los muros de la muralla para protegerla de los invasores. En 1085, cuando el rey Alfonso VI reconquistó Madrid, convocó una procesión y al llegar junto a la muralla un derrumbe dejó al descubierto el escondrijo donde estaba la imagen de la Virgen, la que milagrosamente mantenía aún dos cirios encendidos.

Otra tradición cuenta que al Cid Campeador, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, se le apareció la Virgen, pidiéndole que tomase la fortaleza de Mayrit. Cuando llegó con sus tropas a cumplir el deseo se desprendió un fragmento de muralla donde se hallaba la figura. Así pudo tomar la ciudad.

Lo cierto es que la imagen, una talla de madera de pino dorada y policromada que se conserva actualmente en la catedral de Madrid, ha sido realizada probablemente entre los siglos XV y XVI. Representa a María como reina con túnica rojiza, con vuelta en color azul, que cubre sus hombros y cae en pliegues por

delante. Sostiene al Niño, desnudo, con ambas manos.

En la Catedral, la imagen de la Virgen reposa en un trono de plata obsequiado por la Villa de Madrid en 1640, reinando Felipe IV; a su lado, se hallan grandes ciriales hechos también en plata.

La talla está enmarcada por un retablo de tablas pintadas realizado por Juan de Borgoña, y colocado en alto, es accesible mediante unas escalinatas que bordean un arco escarzano, donde se encuentra la tumba de la reina María de las Mercedes de Orleáns, esposa de Alfonso XII, gran devota de la Virgen.

CATEDRAL HISTÓRICA

Los primeros planos de la iglesia fueron trazados en 1879 por Francisco de Cubas con la idea de que sirviera de panteón para la fallecida reina María de la Mercedes.

La primera piedra se puso en 1883 pero cuando el Papa León XIII otorgó en 1885 la bula por la que se creaba el Obispado de Madrid-Alcalá se transformó el proyecto de la iglesia en catedral.

La cripta se inauguró en 1911, pero las obras se suspendieron durante la Guerra Civil y se reanudaron en 1939. En 1944 se convocó un concurso nacional para dar una nueva solución arquitectónica, que fue ganado por Fernando Chueca Goitia y Carlos Sidro. En 1950 se reiniciaron las obras, terminándose el claustro en

FE

1955 y la fachada principal en 1960. Las obras concluyeron en 1993 y finalmente la catedral fue consagrada por el Papa Juan Pablo II en su cuarto viaje a España, el 15 de junio del mismo año.

CELEBRACIONES

La catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena acogerá el triduo en su honor los días 5, 6 y 7 de noviembre, con la Misa de las 7 p.m. hora local (1 p.m. hora del Este). Con aforo limitado por la pandemia de COVID-19, podrá seguirse en directo por el canal youtube.com/archimadrid del arzobispado.

Quienes deseen orar a solas con la Virgen de la Almudena y ofrecer penitencias o hacer sus peticiones pueden hacerlo en el mismo canal de YouTube del 5 al 8 de noviembre a las 10 de la mañana hora local (4 a.m. hora del Este).

Por la situación de pandemia, las ofrendas florales no podrán recibirse ni tampoco podrán llevarse alimentos a la Virgen para repartirlos entre distintas entidades. El arzobispado invita a colaborar con Cáritas Diocesana de Madrid en la web caritasmadrid.org/donaciones.

Más online En www.youtube.com/archimadrid: Siga las celebraciones de la Virgen de la Almudena en Madrid, España.

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“San Martín y el mendigo,” El Greco (c. 1597-1599)

NOVIEMBRE 8-14

Domingo: Sab 6: 12-16, 1 Tes 4: 13-18, Mt 25: 1-13; Lunes (Dedicación de la Basílica de Letrán): Ez 47: 1-2. 8-9. 12, 1 Cor 3: 9-11. 16-17, Jn 2: 13-22; Martes (San León Magno, Papa y doctor de la Iglesia): Ti 2: 1-8. 11-14, Lc 17: 7-10; Miércoles (San Martín de Tours, obispo): Ti 3: 1.7, Lc 17: 11-19; Jueves (San Josafat, obispo y mártir): Fmn 7-20, Lc 17: 20-25; Viernes (Santa Francisca Javier Cabrini, virgen): 2 Jn 4-9, Lc 17: 26-37; Sábado: 3 Jn 5-8, Lc 18: 1-8

NOVIEMBRE 15-21

Domingo: Prov 31: 10-13. 19-20. 30-31, 1 Tes 5: 1-6, Mt 25: 14-30; Lunes: Apoc 1: 1-4; 2, 1-5, Lc 18: 35-43; Martes (Santa Isabel de Hungría): Apoc 3: 1-6.

14-22, Lc 19: 1-10; Miércoles: Apoc 4: 1-11, Lc 19: 11-28; Jueves: Apoc 5: 1-10, Lc 19: 41-44; Viernes: Apoc 10: 8-11, Lc 19: 45-48; Sábado (Presentación de la Bienaventurada Virgen María): Apoc 11: 4-12, Lc 20, 27-40

NOVIEMBRE 22-28

Domingo (Solemnidad de Cristo Rey): Ez 34: 11-12. 15-17, 1 Co 15: 20-26.

28, Mt 25: 31-46; Lunes: Apoc 14:1-3. 4b5, Lc 2:1-4; Martes (Andrés Dũng-Lac y compañeros): Apoc 14: 14-19, Lc 21: 5-11; Miércoles: Apoc 15: 1-4, Lc 21: 1219; Jueves: (Día de Acción de Gracias) Sir 50: 22-24, 1 Cor 1: 3-9, Lc 17: 11-19; Viernes: Apoc 20: 1-4. 11–21, 2, Lc 21: 2933; Sábado: Apoc 22: 1-7, Lc 21: 34-36

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request.)

There are none that can withstand your power.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times.)

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

3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory Be Published in gratitude for prayers answered.

Thank you, P.F.

Our schools

catholicnewsherald.com | November 6, 2020 14A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Jesus in the classroom HUNTERSVILLE — Students at St. Mark School are taking part in Eucharistic Adoration in their socially-distanced classrooms, thanks to Father Alfonso Gámez, parochial vicar at St. Mark Church.

Pictured are students in Lisa Yelanich’s second-grade class.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

Beta Club officers named PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROBIN FISHER

Students raise money for pro-life cause SALISBURY — Students at Sacred Heart School recently celebrated a successful end to their Dress Down Day fundraiser in September. Once a month (usually on a Friday), students pay $2 to dress out of uniform and the collected funds are given to a local charity. September’s effort benefited the Pregnancy Support Center of Rowan County. Shari Evans, executive director, was grateful to receive the students’ donation of $297. The project also qualified Sacred Heart School to be a sponsor for the annual Walk for Life in Rowan County Oct. 24.

GASTONIA — St. Michael middle school students recently elected eighthgrader Jean-Claude Younan as president and seventhgrader Connie Okonkwo as vice president of the school’s 2020-2021 Beta Club.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHRISTINE EAGAN

Applications for the 2021-2022 School Year Open November 2nd for grades PreK-12th

Celebrating Discover Catholic Schools Week November 8th-14th

Visit discovermacs.org/apply for a full list of events

Contact our schools directly to learn more! o o o o o o o o o

Charlotte Catholic High School 704.543.1127 Christ the King High School 704.799.4400 Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School 704.527.7822 Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School 704.531.0067 St. Ann Catholic School 704.525.4938 St. Gabriel Catholic School 704.366.2409 St. Matthew Catholic School 704.544.2070 St. Mark Catholic School 704.766.5000 St. Patrick Catholic School 704.333.3174

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For more information, go to www.charlottediocese.givingplan.net or call Gina Rhodes at 704/370-3364.

Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte

Mix

November 6, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

Catholic Book Pick ‘Theology of Home: The Spiritual Art of Homemaking’ by Carrie Gress and Noelle Mering

In theaters ‘Come Play’ Reasonably effective and refreshingly gorefree monster movie in which an isolated 8-year-old autistic boy (Azhy Robertson) is stalked by an otherworldly creature who pretends to want to befriend him but in fact has a far darker design in mind. With her marriage (to John Gallagher Jr.) breaking down, the lad’s mom (Gillian Jacobs) is at first too distracted to grasp what’s going on, but she eventually becomes a believer and, once she does, gives her all to the fight to protect her son. In expanding his eponymous short film, writer-director Jacob Chase goes for old-fashioned, bump-in-the-night thrills. Though his message about online interaction supplanting in-person encounters and thereby breeding the loneliness that creates the fiend is a bit heavy-handed, his depiction of maternal love enduring through challenges alike ordinary and extraordinary is served up more adroitly. Occult themes, at least one mild oath.

CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: PG-13

In this second installment of “Theology of Home,” Gress and Mering turn their attention from the home itself to the art of homemaking.

Though there has been a resurgence in the domestic arts and a desire to live a simpler lifestyle, the role of a homemaker is still unpopular. Viewed as an unfulfilling and even oppressive way of life, many women feel a sense of shame in managing the world of their home.

“Theology of Home: The Spiritual Art of Homemaking” turns this misguided notion on its head, shining new light on the role of a homemaker as it relates the deepest truths of the faith with an honest and fearless understanding of the modern world. Rather than looking to the 1950s for inspiration, Gress and Mering forge a new path by looking at the gifts women can offer those they love.

Whether single, married, or a working or stay-at-home mother, discover how to bring beauty, order and vibrancy to the people and place you love most: Home.

At www.tanbooks.com: Order your copy of “Theology of Home: The Spiritual Art of Homemaking.” Catholic News Herald readers enjoy 20 percent off their order – use the exclusive coupon code “CNH20.”

On TV n Friday, Nov. 6, 11:30 a.m. (EWTN) “John Paul II: The Man, the Pope and His Message.” See why Pope John Paul II believed children are truly a gift from God, as beautiful footage of the pontiff interacting with children reveals his goal to share the love of Christ with people of all ages. n Saturday, Nov. 7, 4 p.m. (EWTN) “A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing.” An exposé of the lies and deception spun by 1960s radical Saul Alinsky. His political tactics and theories espoused social justice, but carried an agenda that threatened core beliefs of Christianity and the Church. n Wednesday, Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m.

(EWTN)”Frontline Fathers.” An EWTN original documentary about the lives of two U.S. Army chaplains stationed in South Korea who minister to thousands of soldiers serving in the harshest of conditions. n Wednesday, Nov. 11, 4 p.m. (EWTN) “Martin the Cobbler.” Based on the classic children’s tale by the great Russian author Leo Tolstoy, a lonely shoemaker rediscovers his faith in God; narrated by Tolstoy’s daughter Alexandra Tolstoy. n Saturday, Nov. 14, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Giuseppe Moscati: The Doctor of the Poor.” The story of St. Giuseppe Moscati, and the plight and struggles of the poor and homeless of Naples in the early 20th century during a time of great inequality and poverty. Part 1.

Discover Catholic Schools Week November 8th-14th

Learn more about our 19 faith-filled schools

Find a Catholic school near you.

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Contact each school directly for details on Discover Catholic Schools Week events www.charlottediocese.org/schools

Our nation

catholicnewsherald.com | November 6, 2020 16A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Election Day anxiety, record voter turnout, continued divided government

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Nations affirm right to life, reject ‘international right’ to abortion WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States and 32 other U.N. member nations have signed on to the Geneva Consensus Declaration, which reaffirms the inherent “dignity and worth of the human person” and states that “every human being has the inherent right to life.” The document calls on countries to “promote the rights of women and strengthen the family” as the foundational unit of society. It also emphasizes there is “no international right to abortion” and states that “in no case should abortion be promoted as a method of family planning.”

In an Oct. 29 statement, the chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life, international policy and defense of marriage committees praised the Trump administration for its leadership in bringing countries together to sign “this historic declaration that proclaims many critical truths about the sanctity of human life and the family. Equally important, the declaration makes clear that every country has a sovereign right to determine its own laws with regard to abortion, free of coercion,” the bishops said. “It is our hope that this declaration will serve as a catalyst for these 33 nations, and many more,” they added, “to persistently stand united against powerful international forces that promote abortion and undermine the family throughout the world.”

Tenn. bishops urge governor to stop upcoming execution WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tennessee’s bishops have urged the state’s Republican governor, Bill Lee, to stop the upcoming execution of a Tennessee inmate on death row, saying: “Carrying out this execution does not serve the cause of justice. Stop another needless execution,” the state’s three Catholic bishops urged the governor in an Oct. 27 letter, referring to the execution of Pervis Payne scheduled for Dec. 3.

Payne, who is 53, has been on death row since 1988. He is a Black man with an intellectual disability who has claimed his innocence in the murder of a mother and daughter, for which he was convicted and sentenced to death. He is appealing for DNA testing in his case, which is supported by the Innocence Project, a national organization that works to exonerate the innocent, primarily through DNA testing. The bishops of the dioceses of Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis did not weigh in on Payne’s guilt or innocence but instead emphasized their opposition in general to the death penalty, noting this execution “bucks the national trend of moving away from capital punishment.”

— Catholic News Service

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE AND CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

funding of abortions in health spending bills. Joe Biden, if elected president, has also said that he would repeal Hyde.

With a smaller Democratic majority than hoped for in the House, however, it remains to be seen if Pelosi could make good

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After months of anticipation (some may say trepidation), the 2020 presidential election finally took place Nov. 3. This year’s Election Day, however, seemed much different than years past, due partly to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people had already cast their ballots days and even weeks ago.

As the Catholic News Herald went to press Wednesday afternoon, election officials said it could be days until a winner was declared, because millions of mail-in votes postmarked by Election Day still needed to be tallied in several key swing states.

This unusual Election Day saw the highest voter turnout in more than 100 years – upwards of two-thirds of eligible voters, according to data from the U.S. Elections Project. NBC News projections in the immediate wake of the elections reported at least 159.8 million Americans voted, a record high number of ballots cast in a presidential election.

While many expected unrest leading up to the elections, many U.S. cities that had been boarded up prior to Election Day remained calm afterwards. Most of the angst CNS | WENDY RHODES, THE PALM BEACH POST USA TODAY NETWORK VIA REUTERS was reserved for Twitter where God Bless America is spelled out on bales of hay Oct. 16, 2020, ahead of the presidential elections in Sebring, Fla. Benedictine Sister Catherine Wybourne, of the United Kingdom, who goes by the handle @Digitalnun, tweeted early the day on her promise to force through repeal of the policy. after the election: “One of the (many) good things about living Hyde has been enacted annually for decades as an in a #monastery: we don’t have to listen to incessant news attachment to appropriations bills, and if Republicans hold updates about #politics. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, tune control of the Senate, abortion funding could prove a key out of the noise & tune into the silence, wherever you are.” battleground for the new Congress.

Father Edward Beck, a priest from New York, on Twitter said Biden, together with Democrats in the House and Senate, that “no matter who wins #Election2020 the task ahead will has also championed the Equality Act, which makes sexual be to bind up the wounds and move toward reconciliation and orientation and gender identity protected classes in law. forgiveness. It’s evident we are a very divided nation. The next Opponents of the bill – including the U.S. bishops – have warned President will need to be “Healer-In-Chief.’” the law would roll back key religious freedom protections The U.S. bishops organized a novena leading up to Election and could be used to force doctors to perform some abortions.

Day to encourage peace and civility. “May the leaders elected Already passed once by the House, it was blocked by the Senate this week be guided by the Holy Spirit as they fulfill their last year and could again stall if Republicans hold the chamber. positions,” one of the prayer intentions said.

In other Election Day news, Louisiana voters by a wide As expected, Democrats retained control of the House of margin Nov. 3 passed a measure declaring there is no state Representatives but Republicans looked on track Wednesday to constitutional right to abortion, while Colorado voters defeated keep control of the Senate. a proposal to ban abortion beginning at 22 weeks of pregnancy.

With a Republican Senate and a Democratic House, divided Unofficial results Wednesday showed that the Louisiana government will continue to be the norm in Washington, D.C. measure, known as the Love Life Amendment, passed 62.1 – setting up likely legislative gridlock on a range of measures, percent to 37.9 percent. In Colorado, Proposition 115 went down including further aid and stimulus packages to mitigate the 59.1 percent to 40.9 percent, according to unofficial results.

COVID-19 pandemic.

The abortion-related measures were among 120 proposed The upper chamber is set to consider several key bills on state laws and constitutional amendments on the ballot in 32 abortion funding and religious freedom in the coming session. states. Measures included efforts to legalize marijuana for House Speaker Nacy Pelosi has already signaled she would adults, decriminalize the possession of small amounts of hard seek to repeal the Hyde Amendment, the policy that bars drugs, and raise the minimum wage.

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Our world

November 6, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Vatican: Pope not changing Church teaching on gay unions CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican Secretariat of State has sent an explanatory note to nuncios around the world insisting that when Pope Francis spoke about civil unions, he was not changing or challenging “the doctrine of the Church, which he has reaffirmed numerous times over the years.”

The note, which was not signed, explained that the pope’s remarks about gay people in the recent film, “Francesco,” come from his responses to two separate questions in a 2019 interview for Mexico’s Televisa network.

The pope’s comments were “edited and published as a single answer without the necessary contextualization,” the note said.

As Catholic News Service reported Oct. 26, when Pope Francis said gay people have a right to be in a family and that gay couples needed some form of civil law to protect their rights, he was not advocating any form of “marriage” or marriage rights

for gay couples.

Yet, in his documentary “Francesco,” director Evgeny Afineevsky presented the statements as if Pope Francis had been talking about the right of gay couples to form a family, including with children.

Afineevsky, who a Vatican official said was never granted an on-camera interview with the pope, pulled the quotes about families and the quote about civil unions from the interview by Televisa correspondent Valentina Alazraki.

The clips used in Afineevsky’s film spliced together quotes from three separate moments of the Televisa interview, so the pope appears to say: “They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it. What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered.”

The note from the Secretariat of State also noted that Pope Francis repeatedly has insisted that gay unions cannot be equated to marriage, pointing to a 2014 interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

French bishops ‘cleanse’ Nice basilica after attack NICE, France — Tributes to the dead are seen outside Notre Dame Basilica in Nice, France, Nov. 1, as French bishops conducted a “penitential rite of reparation” inside the church, where three people were murdered in late October. The Mass of reparation was celebrated by Nice Bishop André Marceau, joined by Archbishop Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille and Archbishop Dominique-Marie David of Monaco. The church was the scene of an Oct. 29 attack in which a man hacked three people to death with a foot-long blade before he was killed by police. The penitential rite was necessary to purify the church from the stain of a “gravely injurious act,” such as a homicide, before normal religious activities could resume. Amid maximum security, the bishops, joined by priests of the diocese, wore penitential purple for the evening event, which began when the church, with its altar stripped and bare, was plunged into darkness. The church was blessed throughout with holy water before the lights were turned on again, and the bishops changed their vestments to white to signify the Resurrection. Previously, the French bishops ordered a “death knell” to ring from every church in the country in the wake of the attack – an act of mourning for those who were killed inside the church while preparing for morning Mass. Pope Francis sent a message expressing closeness to the people of Nice. “I pray for the victims, for their families and for the beloved French people, that they may respond to evil with good,” he said.

In the interview six years ago, Pope Francis was asked about moves across Europe to legalize gay marriage or adopt civil union laws.

“Marriage is between a man and a woman,” he said. “Secular states want to validate civil unions to regulate different situations of cohabitation, driven by the need to regulate economic aspects between people, such as ensuring health care. These are cohabitation pacts of various kinds, of which I could not list the different forms.”

“It is necessary to see the different cases and evaluate them in their variety,” he said, implying that some forms of civil unions would be acceptable.

From the unedited interview with Televisa, the pope’s remarks to Corriere della Sera and similar distinctions he has made on other occasions, the Secretariat of State’s note said, “It is clear that Pope Francis was referring to particular state regulations, certainly not the doctrine of the Church, which he has reaffirmed numerous times over the years.”

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In Brief Pope, Austrian church leaders urge end to hatred after Vienna attacks VIENNA — Pope Francis and Austrian church leaders expressed dismay and sorrow after terrorists attack that left at least five dead in central Vienna, and they urged citizens to uphold key values of tolerance and respect. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, told Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna Nov. 3 that Pope Francis was “deeply shaken” by the news of “the acts of violence in Vienna that caused the death and suffering of innocent people.” In addition to the dead, at least 17 people were injured in Nov. 2 attacks at six locations close to the Austrian capital’s central Jewish synagogue. Cardinal Parolin said Pope Francis asked him to express his closeness to the families of the victims and to all Austrians and to assure those who are injured that he prays for their speedy recovery. Cardinal Schönborn said, “We must continue on the path of solidarity, community and consideration – these are values that have shaped Austria.”

Philippine churches open doors to typhoon evacuees MANILA, Philippines — Churches in the Philippines opened their doors to offer shelter to some of the hundreds of thousands of people who fled their homes to avoid the wrath of Super Typhoon Goni that struck the Bicol region in southern Luzon. Some of the victims were buried alive by mudslides around a volcano.

Typhoon Goni, the most powerful typhoon this year, left at least 20 people dead, but the toll could increase as aid workers reach remote coastal areas. Goni, known in Philippines as Rolly, made landfall with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour and gusts up to 174 mph Nov. 1.

— Catholic News Service

CNS | LIONEL URMAN, PANORAMIC VIA REUTERS

Director of Faith Formation Holy Cross Catholic Church, Kernersville, NC

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Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kernersville, NC, is seeking a full-time Director of Faith Formation.

This person is responsible for the coordination of educational activities that help parishioners grow in their knowledge and understanding of God, the Church, and their faith.

To find out more about joining the dynamic team in a diverse and growing parish, please visit holycrossnc.org and click on “Job Opportunities.”

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 6, 2020 18A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Elizabeth Scalia

Deacon Matthew Newsome

Accepting the most royal of invitations: to suffer

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et’s begin with something that is painfully obvious: Life is hard, and nobody gets out of it without a measure of suffering.

No one.

We need only look at the crucifix to understand the truth of it – to see the very embodiment of innocence and goodness brought into a torture and torment most unjust, enduring His suffering unto death.

We need only look at the Woman, His mother, standing with Him, never leaving His side, but instead consenting to suffer her own agonies as her baby, her adored little boy, is shredded, drained of His lifeblood before her eyes, defiled unto death and even beyond.

The Woman – the Theotokos, the God-bearer – and her Son, the God-man, consented to endure their trials because their sufferings were meant both to effect something and teach something to all of humanity.

First, that the God of creation and salvation and sanctification is The God Who Knows. The pains and sorrows, betrayals and injustices, out-sized retributions and appalling imbalances that constitute huge parts of all of our lives are not the untouched realities of a distant deity; they are known to Him as they are known to us – as they are known to His Mother – on the intimate level of marrow and sinew, of spirit, of tormented mental anguish.

The sense of ringing helplessness that accompanies our miseries are known to them as well. Mary, who could do nothing when Simeon’s prophecy pierced her new mother’s heart, who could do nothing, again, when her Son’s eyes met hers as He stumbled and swayed and carried His cross, comprehends that feeling.

And curiously, so does Jesus, who – unlike Mary – could have done something to end His ordeal, but chose not to, because He understood His role, understood that He was the Lamb of sacrifice, meant to be drained, like the lambs of Passover, slain and then placed on wooden crossbars, so that their

‘By our suffering, we are brought into the company of the King (and the Queen), and given an exalted place, right by their sides.’

cleansing blood could wash over the altars, and down the very steps of the temple, in atonement.

We often (and quite reasonably) ask, “But what is the point? What is the point of the disbursal and endurance of excruciating pain, whether it is of body, or mind, or spirit? What possible good can come of it?”

In general, Catholicism doesn’t like that question – the ‘what use is it’ query – because it conveys an idea that everything and everyone must have a discernible usefulness in order to have a discernible value. Catholicism is rightly wary of any question that turns humans or created creatures or creation itself into utilitarian units. Because utilitarian things can be tossed away, taken apart, repurposed, or abandoned or forgotten – actions that we see time and again do not work within nature, cannot be permitted within the biosphere of Earth, lest life itself become too imbalanced to proceed.

But when it comes to suffering, we permit and even encourage the question of utility, because the answer – as in the action itself – is profound, and inclusive, and a great secret of privilege: by our suffering, we are brought into the company of the King (and the Queen), and given an exalted place, right by their sides. We become joined to them; our pain, our crying out is joined to them until we become one voice, one grief, one misery, one powerful sorrow that echoes through time.

And yes, this is a useful thing, this is something the value of which is absolutely established by its utility: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of His Body, which is the Church.” (Col 1:24) This is the way; thus are we made holy and, in a sense, regal.

But neither holiness nor nobility – while certainly by-products of our willing embrace of all that is grim and face-in-the-dirt brutal – can truly define the great privilege that comes with our painful endurances; neither holiness nor nobility are the absolute ends toward which our sufferings are a means.

No, what raises us to the most regal and efficacious ranks of heaven is our willingness to accept what amounts to a most dreadful royal invitation: Along with the Theotokos, the Woman of the Fiat, Jesus of Nazareth a Son of David, the Christ, the Messiah the Strong One of Jacob, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, cordially invites you to join Him for an occasion of immense and exquisite suffering, INVITATIONS, SEE PAGE 20A

How do we explain purgatory?

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urgatory is one of those distinctive beliefs of Catholics not shared by our Protestant brothers and sisters. And it is a belief on full display during the month of November as the Church dedicates herself in a special way to praying for the dead.

Catholics are encouraged to pray for the dead throughout the year, but November’s celebrations of All Saints and All Souls’ days, as well as all the natural signs of death that accompany the fall season, make this a most fitting month to remember those who have passed from this life. But why do we pray for them? This question gets to the heart of what purgatory is all about.

When explaining the doctrine of purgatory to those outside the Church, Catholics tend to point to a passage in 2 Maccabees calling it “a holy and pious thought” to make “atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin” (2 Mac 12:45-46). The logic is simple. There is no need to pray for souls in heaven. And it would be useless to pray for souls in hell. So if the scriptures say it is “holy and pious” to pray for the dead, there must be some possible state in which souls can exist after death where our prayers may benefit them. That’s purgatory.

The only problem with this from an apologetics standpoint is that Protestants do not recognize the canonical validity of 2 Maccabees. The two historical books of Maccabees in the Old Testament belong to the deuterocanonical texts rejected by Protestant reformers in the 16th century, which also include the books of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom and Sirach (Ecclesiasticus). Therefore an appeal to these texts for authority is ineffective.

A better argument is needed.

2 Maccabees may contain the only explicit reference in scripture to praying for the dead, but in his second letter to Timothy, St. Paul offers a prayer for his departed friend Onesiphorous, saying, “May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day” (2 Tim 1:18). And the writings of the Church Fathers, both East and West – including St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Tertullian, St. Augustine, Origen and St. Clement of Alexandria – all show that praying for the dead was a common and consistent practice among early Christians.

But when a friend asks, “Why do Catholics believe in purgatory?” what do you say if you can’t quote the Fathers of the Church or remember the name Onesiphorous? I find the best way to explain purgatory to people is not necessary by appealing to scripture or tradition, but to common sense and the mercy of God. Assuming I’m speaking with a Protestant Christian, I begin by

affirming basic beliefs we hold in common, such as the forgiveness of sins. When we receive the grace of God’s forgiveness, we enter into His friendship, and if we die in God’s friendship, we will not go to hell.

Catholics and Protestants also agree that nothing impure can enter heaven (see Rev 21:27).

So is being forgiven enough to make us pure? The honest answer is no. We don’t need to argue this point from scripture. People know this from experience. Even after God forgives our sins, the effects of our sins often linger, including our attachment to them. Being forgiven is not the same as being perfected. Recognizing this helps us to appreciate the difference between forgiveness and sanctification.

Sanctification is the process of becoming holy (becoming like God).

Forgiveness is the beginning of that process, not its end.

It all comes down to this: if you die having been forgiven by God, you are not going to hell. But if you are not yet perfectly pure, you cannot enter heaven.

Therefore something must happen after death to complete your purification.

That “something” is what the Church calls purgatory, from the Latin word “purgare,” which means “to purify.”

Purgatory is defined in the Catechism as “the final purification of the elect” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1031). “All who die in God’s grace and friendship,” the Catechism teaches, “but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (CCC 1030).

What would it mean if there were no purgatory? Either we would enter heaven while still impure (which would make heaven less heavenly), or we’d need to become completely pure during this life (which would make heaven pretty empty). The existence of purgatory is a testimony to God’s mercy.

That’s why my two favorite Bible verses to cite in support of purgatory aren’t the ones most apologists use, but to me they speak to the heart of what purgatory is all about. The first is St. Peter’s reminder that God’s patience is for our salvation (2 Pt 3:15) and the second is St. Paul’s assurance that God will bring to completion the good work He has begun in us (Phil 1:6). If that good work is not completed by the end of this life, God will bring it to completion in the life to come.

DEACON MATTHEW NEWSOME is the Catholic campus minister at Western Carolina University and the regional faith formation coordinator for the Smoky Mountain Vicariate.

November 6, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Thinking as a Catholic about systemic racism

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very morning, I pray the Church’s Office of Readings and Morning Prayer. Before beginning, I recite a few prayers, including one composed by St. John Paul II in 2001: “Prayer for Peace, To Mary, the Light of Hope.” It is a prayer for protection against the evils plaguing our world. One line stands out: “Help us with the power of the Holy Spirit conquer all sin: individual sin and the ‘sin of the world,’ sin in all its manifestations.”

We are only too familiar with individual sin, but what does John Paul II mean by the “sin of the world?” In his 1987 encyclical “On Social Concern,” he describes “structural sin,” sins that “grow stronger, spread, and become the source of other sins, and so influence people’s behavior.”

(36) Although the sin of the world is not entirely separate from individual sins, it refers to sinful practices built into the structures, institutions and customs of ordinary life and culture. These constructs of social life make individual sins more likely.

Systemic racism is one such “sin of the world.” This commentary is an attempt by an older white male to understand systemic racism, particularly racism in policing and criminal justice.

Our divided and hyper-partisan culture makes it difficult to think clearly about structural sins such as systemic racism.

So, it helps me to begin by thinking instead about virtuous structures. Take for example, systemic loyalty, systemic courage, or systemic holiness.

Think about the practices of military training – boot camp, ranks and salutes, drills, and training exercises. These exist to teach skills, such as marksmanship, first aid, hiking with a heavy pack. More fundamentally, however, these practices create structures of military life that teach, reinforce and evoke systemic behaviors like courage in battle and loyalty to fellow soldiers. For us Catholics, the Mass, prayers like the rosary, the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and faith formation classes teach specific knowledge.

More fundamentally, they form holy lives.

We grow in holiness by following such practices daily and weekly.

When good systems work well, they create forms of life that gradually draw people into practices and actions

embodying virtues like charity, humility, chastity and faith. All successful institutions work most effectively at the unconscious level to evoke behaviors that mirror the principles and mission of the organization. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things when formed well by virtuous systems.

Evil structures work the same way.

Take systemically corrupt nations – the former Soviet Union or modern Russia, for example. Bribes, lies and secrecy become a way of life. They suffuse both high offices and the ordinary encounters of daily life. They permeate all sectors of society, each mutually reinforcing the others.

Even people of good intention cannot avoid corruption. If your child is sick, you pay a bribe to see a doctor. Registering your car requires another small act of corruption. And so on, until gradually and systemically, good people become at least a little corrupt. They become sucked in or burned out or hardened. Resistance to such evil requires heroic virtue that few possess.

Ordinary people do extraordinarily terrible things when formed by vicious systems.

“Thus sin makes men accomplices of one another and causes concupiscence, violence, and injustice to reign among them…. ‘Structures of sin’…. lead their victims to do evil in their turn. In an analogous sense, they constitute a ‘social sin.’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1869) Systemic racism in the United States is precisely this kind of corrupt system.

Like a virus it spreads rapidly and silently, until symptoms burst forth in racist words or deeds. Built on conscious biases and prejudices, racism created slavery and then the Jim Crow system. It produced armed slave patrols, lynching and prison farms to keep slaves and, afterward, freed persons “in line.” It formed segregated hospitals, schools, parishes and churches, neighborhoods, and jobs, even cemeteries, to create an elaborate system of political, economic, social, cultural and legal oppression and inequality. Most radically, systemic racism imprinted assumptions, images, stereotypes and cultural practices that built an intricate structure of sin primarily on subconscious biases and perceptions. Therefore, when legal racial discrimination disappeared, racism

remained – embedded in organizations permeated by structural sin.

In general, white Americans think of racism as explicit beliefs about white superiority held by a few evil individuals.

Racism exists in a few “bad apples.” Black Americans, however, perceive racism as “racism in the world,” discrimination and oppression rooted in the customary behaviors and practices of ordinary life.

In policing, systemic racism does not mean that there are large numbers of police officers with consciously racist attitudes and behaviors. Rather, police forces created at some point in the past by enough racist persons with political and economic power created a culture of policing. This culture continues autonomously as a structure of oppression – in conjunction with other institutions infused with racism: schools, health care, housing and employment. Just as ordinary people are formed by systems of holiness or systems of corruption, so systems gradually drag “good cops” into practices that reinforce negative stereotypes and differential law enforcement by race.

Speaking to the International Association of Penal Law in 2014, Pope Francis put it this way: “Scapegoats are not only sought to pay, with their freedom and with their life, for all social ills such as was typical in primitive societies, but over and beyond this, there is at times a tendency to deliberately fabricate enemies: stereotyped figures who represent all the characteristics that society perceives or interprets as threatening. The mechanisms that form these images are the same that allowed the spread of racist ideas in their time.”

How about an example? I lived almost 50 years in Lubbock, Texas, and still follow the news there. In June, the local Lubbock Avalanche-Journal published data on traffic stops. Here are the key findings: “The Lubbock Police Department’s annual report detailing traffic stops shows black drivers are stopped, searched and arrested at higher rates than white and Hispanic drivers…. Of those traffic stops, a search was conducted 9% of the time when the driver of the vehicle was black.

A search was conducted 6.3% of the time when the driver was Hispanic and 2.41% of the time when the driver was white.

Deacon Clarke Cochran “LPD searched nearly as many vehicles driven by black drivers as white drivers in 2019, despite there being four times more white residents involved in traffic stops, and five times more white residents as a whole in Lubbock.”

Now, here is the kicker: “Contraband was discovered in 33% of the searches conducted with black drivers, compared to 41% of the time with white drivers and 38.5% of the time with Hispanic drivers. In 2019, 5.4% of traffic stops involving a black driver resulted in an arrest, which is nearly double the 2.8% average. In traffic stops involving white drivers, 1.44% resulted in an arrest.”

In short, although white drivers were the most likely to be engaged in illegal activity, black drivers were more often arrested.

The year 2019 was not an aberration.

Data from the prior four years showed the same pattern, the newspaper reported. Indeed, the same pattern of disproportionate policing of minority drivers has been documented for decades in localities all over the United States. The structure of systemic racism built into traffic stops just as a matter of course and without overt racism creates unjust law enforcement outcomes. The higher ratio of traffic stops of black drivers thus gives the impression, contrary to the evidence, that black citizens are more crime-prone than white ones. This, in turn, produces more fraught encounters with police, more arrests and imprisonments, and reinforced stereotypes. Systemic racism (“sin of the world”) builds systemically racist policing.

What might it take to eliminate systemic racism? This is the topic for my next commentary, “Responding as Catholics to systemic racism.”

DEACON CLARKE E. COCHRAN, PhD, serves at St. Peter Church in Charlotte.

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catholicnewsherald.com | November 6, 2020 20A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

RACISM

INVITATIONS

CAMPAÑA

FROM PAGE 6A

FROM PAGE 18A

VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 10A

teaches us this because it teaches us how Christ did exactly the same thing. Christ became man so as to seek us out and unite us to His Father.

THE FAMILY: THE SCHOOL OF LOVE

While racism is often tragically passed down through families, the family also offers the best antidote to all forms of fear and prejudice because it is in the family where we can encounter unconditional love, which echoes God’s love for us.

How can we rely more on God’s love and teach our children to love everyone? Consider these examples: n Pray together daily: Pray for the needs of others in your neighborhood, community, and beyond. Help your children to see the needs of people who are different from them. Help your family to see the Face of Christ in every person. n Practice the art of conversation (dialogue) daily: Eat dinner together as a family – without mobile devices – and find other ways to spend time together. Have real conversations, at an age-appropriate level, about challenges or events that are in the news. n Practice hospitality and love of neighbor: Get to know your neighbors’ names and needs, show concern for them, pray for them, and assist them when possible. n No family is perfect, but every family can grow in love.

IF YOU WANT PEACE, START TALKING

We are all familiar with the phrase “If you want peace, work for justice.” But the question is: How do we begin? We begin by talking to each other. Justice happens when relationships are in good order, and relationships require communication.

What is needed, then, are sustained, honest and courageous conversations that achieve respect, build solidarity and convey the boundless love of God for the human family.

If you want peace, start talking and let the Holy Spirit be your guide.

— Excerpted from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ “Responding to the Sin of Racism”

of indeterminate length on the Via Dolorosa of His own travels a path of isolation and loneliness and the misunderstanding of others concluding at Golgotha, and with a shared experience of His Cross upon which room has been made ready exclusively for you for the sake of the life of the world.

Because of its exclusivity, this invitation is different for everyone, as is the measure of wretchedness each of us is permitted to endure. Some get a dollop of it, suddenly and for a short but horrifically painful time. Some endure it long-term, from the moment they are born, until they die. For most of us, suffering comes incrementally, a bit at a time, and how we manage in between servings will generally impact how well we may receive and digest the next course.

As I write this, my family has received one of these “royal invitations.” An occasion of monthslong suffering is about to find its culmination. It involves two people whose lives have been lived in giving, in supporting others, in saying “yes” instead of “no,” in walking two miles with those who have asked them to walk only one. They raised their sons to live in the same way, and to a man

they are kind, merciful, selfless; rare good fruit unleashed upon a world famished for it.

We know that for these two extraordinary servants there is, indeed, an honored procession to come in this world, and believe in the rewards of the next.

Still, it is no easy invitation to accept. Currently, we are gathering at the side of the Woman Who Knows, and who will faithfully accompany us, but we are doing it with tentative sighs; if we are resigned and obedient, our spines are nevertheless already bowed in anticipation of all that is before us. We understand that every step we take along with the Mother can lead us, only, to Golgotha and her Son, on the cross.

And the cross seems very wide, today, and very high, showing plenty of room alongside the King; a place for all of us.

I pray that we might yet rejoice at being given access to the great and secret privilege that comes with this most utilitarian of human experiences.

ELIZABETH SCALIA is a Benedictine Oblate and author of several award-winning books. Before joining the Word on Fire team as an editor-atlarge, she served as editor-in-chief of the English edition of Aleteia, and as managing editor of the Catholic section of Patheos.com. She also blogs as “The Anchoress” at www.theanchoress.com. She is married and lives on Long Island.

deben salir a trabajar, son considerados ‘trabajadores esenciales’ y comparten su hogar con otras personas, hizo que se registrara un alto número de infecciones en la comunidad.

Con la finalidad de no causar más confusión en las personas, los organizadores han ideado una campaña con imágenes impactantes que invita a llamar al número (980) 314-9400 donde agentes especializados informan en español sobre síntomas, disponibilidad de pruebas y recursos de todo tipo brindados por agencias y el gobierno local, estatal y federal.

AHA considera ampliar la campaña en curso con la realización de pruebas en los exteriores de conocidos supermercados latinos.

“Queremos poner a nuestros promotores en los lugares donde llega nuestra gente, estimular a la comunidad latina para aumentar el número de pruebas y así poder controlar la pandemia que tanto nos afecta”, puntualizó Salgado.

Más online En www.charlottediocese. org/coronavirus-espanol: Encontrará información en inglés y español sobre diversos tópicos relacionados con la pandemia.

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