Oct. 8, 2021

October 8, 2021

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

Allegation of abuse in 1990s made at OLA 3 Diocesan synod process opens Oct. 17 3

‘Ministers of unity and peace’

With latest ordination, diocese has most deacons in its history Doce nuevos diáconos permanentes ordenados para la diócesis 14-17

INDEX Contact us.....................................4 Español....................................... 18-21 Events calendar............................4 Our Faith........................................2 Our Parishes................... 3-9, 14-17 Schools........................................ 10 Scripture readings................. 2, 21 TV & Movies..................................11 U.S. news................................22-23 Viewpoints.............................26-27 World news............................ 24-25

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‘Love God, Follow Jesus, and Serve All’ Misa y procesión por el Señor de los Milagros

St. Thérèse Parish celebrates 75th

Chirp. Meow. Woof.

anniversary, urged to stay ‘forever young’

18

12-13

Photos from the annual Blessing of the Animals

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Our faith

catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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St. Alonso Rodriguez, mystic Pope Francis

Jesus, the source of truth, sets people free

B

y remaining in Jesus, Christians are free because His truth transforms their lives and guides them away from the slavery of sin toward what is good, Pope Francis said.

“The call is above all to remain in Jesus, the source of truth who makes us free,” the pope said Oct. 6 during his weekly general audience.

“Christian freedom, therefore, is founded on two fundamental pillars: first, the grace of the Lord Jesus; second, the truth that Christ reveals to us and which is He Himself,” he said.

The pope continued his series of talks on St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians by looking at the apostle’s struggle to convince people of their freedom in Christ and of the need to resist becoming slaves of the law.

“The apostle could not bear that those Christians, after having known and accepted the truth of Christ, allowed themselves to be attracted to deceptive proposals,” he said. They moved “from the liberating presence of Jesus to slavery, to sin, to legalism and so forth.

Even today, legalism is one of our problems for so many Christians who take refuge in legalism, in sophistry.”

As the Gospel of John explained, Jesus pointed the way to Christian freedom: “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

St. Paul continues that teaching, saying people are called to “remain in Jesus, the source of truth who makes us free,” the pope said. Christian freedom is founded on the grace of the Lord as it is “a gift which was given to us in baptism,” he said.

It is a “mystery of love,” he said, that “we are free from slavery to sin by the cross of Christ. Right there, where Jesus allowed Himself to be nailed, making Himself a slave, God placed the source of the liberation of the human person.”

Therefore, a Christian “should be free and is called not to return to being a slave of precepts and strange things.”

Freedom is built on truth, he said, and “the truth of faith is not an abstract theory, but the reality of the living Christ, who touches the daily and overall meaning of personal life.”

“Freedom makes free to the extent to which it transforms a person’s life and directs it toward the good,” he said.

This is why “truth must disturb us” and make a person feel restless.

“Restlessness is a sign that the Holy Spirit is working inside us, and freedom is an active freedom that comes from the grace of the Holy Spirit. This is why I say that freedom must disturb us, it must constantly question us, so that we might always plunge deeper into what we really are,” Pope Francis said.

Jesuit lay brother encountered God in every task Feast day: Oct. 30 On Oct. 30, the Church assisted the priests of the honors a man whose humble order by performing its more occupation gave the world only routine duties such as cooking, glimpses of his extraordinary construction and farming. holiness. During his lifetime, The Jesuits sent Rodriguez Brother Alonso Rodriguez never to the college of Montesión, on became a priest, published a the island of Majorca, to work book or advanced professionally. as a porter and door-keeper. He But writings discovered after assumed the responsibilities of his death revealed a true mystic, receiving visitors and guests who attended to a rich spiritual and carrying their luggage, life while he worked as a tracking down students or doorkeeper and porter. priests when they were needed, Born in Spain during 1532, delivering messages, and Rodriguez married at 26 and distributing alms to the poor. worked as a cloth merchant, While other Jesuits traveled coming to religious life only the globe evangelizing whole through a string of crushing nations, and undertook a vast tragedies. His wife and two reform of the Catholic Church of their children died by the throughout Europe, Rodriguez time he was 31, and his turn carried bags and ran errands toward a life of prayer and for 46 years. penance could not prevent the But students began to seek subsequent death of his third him out, realizing that their and last remaining child – nor doorkeeper was a man of the discouraging failure of his unusual wisdom and faith. His business.

Jesuit superiors started to take Without his wife and children, notice as well, and asked him to and having few prospects due to begin a private record of his life his lack of a higher education, and thoughts. Rodriguez struck the Spanish layman turned up a notable friendship with his thoughts to religious life. one young man, Peter Claver, Even there, however, he faced and advised him to volunteer difficulties. In his early years, for the South American Rodriguez had met one of the missions. Following his advice, first Jesuits, Blessed Peter St. Peter Claver eventually Faber. With his old life in ruins, catechized, baptized and spoke he developed an interest in out for the rights of 300,000 joining the recently established slaves in South America.

Society of Jesus.

When Rodriguez died in His lack of education 1617, his superiors examined prevented Rodriguez from the written records he had left pursuing their course of priestly “Vision of Blessed Alonso Rodriguez” by Francisco de Zurbaran behind describing his spiritual ordination, and he failed to life. What they found was the acquire a diploma from the life of a saint and mystic. His College of Barcelona despite attending for two years. The Jesuit approach was simple: Christ was appearing in every person who Fathers in Valencia said he was unfit to join. But Rodriguez’s appeared at the door; the task was to encounter God in any task. years of prayer had not been in vain: they were answered when a From this awareness, he proceeded to a life of contemplation akin provincial of the society, sensing his dedication, admitted him as a to the renowned saints of his era (such as St. Ignatius or St. Teresa lay-brother. of Avila), whose grand achievements are better known.

In modern times, Jesuit brothers work in a wide range of fields, Brother Alonso Rodriguez was declared a saint in 1887. He is with few limitations apart from their lack of priestly ordination. buried on the same island of Majorca where he answered the door During the 16th and 17th centuries, however, the lay-brothers of and carried bags for five decades. the Society of Jesus were known as “temporal coadjutors,” and — Catholic News Agency

Daily Scripture readings OCT. 10-16

Sunday: Wisdom 7:7-11, Hebrews 4:12-13, Mark 10:17-30; Monday (St. John XXIII): Romans 1:1-7, Luke 11:29-32; Tuesday: Romans 1:16-25, Luke 11:37-41; Wednesday: Romans 2:1-11, Luke 11:42-46; Thursday (St. Callistus I): Romans 3:21-30, Luke 11:4754; Friday (St. Teresa of Jesus): Romans 4:1-8, Luke 12:1-7; Saturday (St. Hedwig, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque): Romans 4:13, 16-18, Luke 12:8-12

OCT. 17-23

Sunday: Isaiah 53:10-11, Hebrews 4:1416, Mark 10:35-45; Monday (St. Luke): 2 Timothy 4:10-17b, Luke 10:1-9; Tuesday (Sts. John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues and Companions): Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b21, Luke 12:35-38; Wednesday (St. Paul of the Cross): Romans 6:12-18, Luke 12:39-48; Thursday: Romans 6:19-23, Luke 12:49-53; Friday (St. John Paul II): Romans 7:1825a, Luke 12:54-59; Saturday (St. John of Capistrano): Romans 8:1-11, Luke 13:1-9

OCT. 24-30

Sunday: Jeremiah 31:7-9, Hebrews 5:1-6, Mark 10:46-52; Monday: Romans 8:12-17, Luke 13:10-17; Tuesday: Romans 8:18-25, Luke 13:18-21; Wednesday: Romans 8:2630, Luke 13:22-30; Thursday (Sts. Simon and Jude): Ephesians 2:19-22, Luke 6:12-16; Friday: Romans 9:1-5, Luke 14:1-6; Saturday: Romans 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29, Luke 14:1, 7-11

Our parishes

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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‘For a Synodal Church’: Diocesan process opens Oct. 17 CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis will celebrate Mass Oct. 17 at St. Patrick Cathedral to open the Synod on Synodality for the local Church.

The diocesan synod is a component of the worldwide invitation to all the faithful given by Pope Francis and is the first phase of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, whose theme is “For a Synodal Church: communion, participation and mission.”

Its purpose? To listen and consult with the People of God about envisioning the future of the Church.

The Mass will begin at 11 a.m. and will be livestreamed to the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel.

Synodality is “nothing new,” according to Dr. Jessica Murdoch, associate professor fundamental and dogmatic theology at Villanova University. “What the synod is, practically speaking, is an advisory panel.

It is a body which gives the pope a way of discussing the issues of the day, and receiving feedback and advice from the episcopacy,” she said.

Pope Francis is asking for the discussion to rise from local churches to dioceses to bishops and episcopal conferences.

The Vatican issued a preparatory document and a “handbook” for dioceses Sept. 7 as part of the global Church’s preparation for the 2023 assembly.

“Pope Francis invites the entire Church to reflect on a theme that is decisive for its life and mission: ‘It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium,’” the document says.

The preparatory document and its questions are “at the service of the synodal journey, especially as a tool to facilitate the first phase of listening to and consulting the People of God in the particular churches in the hope of helping to set in motion the ideas, energy and creativity of all those who will take part in the journey, and to make it easier to share the fruits of their efforts,” it says.

“The purpose of this synod is not to produce more documents. Rather, it is intended to inspire people to dream

Allegation of abuse in 1990s made at OLA CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARLOTTE — An allegation of child sexual abuse has been reported against a Jesuit priest, Father Francis P. Gillespie, who served at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish more than 20 years ago.

Father Gillespie was pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church and School from 1994 to 2001, and the abuse is alleged to occurred at the church in the mid- to late 1990s, when the claimant was a student at the school.

The allegation was recently reported to the Diocese of Charlotte and to Father Gillespie’s supervising religious order, the New York-based USA East Province of the Society of Jesus, which removed Father Gillespie from ministry Sept. 29 while the allegation is investigated.

The Diocese of Charlotte reported the allegation to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and to Mecklenburg County If you have information Department of Social Services on about possible sexual abuse Sept. 28. Announcements were or misconduct by any clergy, made during weekend Masses employee or volunteer of the at Our Lady of the Assumption Diocese of Charlotte, please contact Church Oct. 2-3, as well as to school local law enforcement. Concerns families. can also be reported safely, The diocese told parishioners securely and anonymously 24/7 to it would cooperate fully with the diocese at 1-888-630-5929 any investigation, and said in a or www.redflagreporting.com/ statement: “The Charlotte diocese rcdoc. Please note: The Diocese of has zero tolerance for child sexual Charlotte reports all allegations of abuse, and anyone who has been sexual abuse of a minor to local law the victim of abuse is encouraged enforcement. to seek help and report to law enforcement authorities.”

“An independent review of the diocese’s personnel and other files in 2019 found no record of abuse PAGE 28: Independent review finds allegations from anyone against diocese compliant on child protection Gillespie,” the statement also said.

Ordained in 1972, Father Gillespie, now 79, has not served at any other parishes in the Charlotte diocese. In 2002, the Jesuits assigned him to work in the Diocese of Raleigh, where he served until 2008, then moved to the Diocese of Charleston. Father Gillespie was returned to ministry in the Diocese of Raleigh in January 2021, and since August has been serving as administrator of a parish in Laurinburg.

In a statement, the Jesuits said they are cooperating with law enforcement “to conduct a thorough investigation that will include examination by an outside review board.”

“We continue to pray for the victims of sexual abuse and for those

Report abuse

Also inside

OLA, SEE PAGE 28

about the Church we are called to be, to make people’s hopes flourish, to stimulate trust, to bind up wounds, to weave new and deeper relationships, to learn from one another, to build bridges, to enlighten minds, warm hearts and restore strength to our hands for our common mission,” the document notes.

The handbook, or “vademecum,” offers guidelines for bishops and those helping facilitate the synodal process locally on how they can best listen to and consult with Catholics and the wider community – particularly those on the margins of society, other Christians as well as nonChristians.

Pope Francis will formally open the

synod process at the Vatican Oct. 9-10.

The first phase of the synod consists of sessions on “Listening and Discernment in Local Churches,” taking place from October 2021 to April 2022 in dioceses and bishops’ conferences.

Surveys and listening sessions are among the possible tools dioceses can use to gather feedback from parishioners. That feedback will be compiled into a “synthesis” after each gathering, followed by a synthesis written for each diocese and ultimately for each bishops’ conference.

Bishops’ conferences and the synods of the Eastern Churches will provide a synthesis of all their local feedback to the Synod of Bishops, and all of that material will be the basis for the writing of two working documents. Bishops and auditors will then gather with Pope Francis at the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October 2023 to speak and listen to one another on the basis of the process that began at the local level.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter. Catholic News Service and Catholic News Agency contributed.

‘A refuge of hospitality and stability’ Belmont Abbey College launches Belmont House, a civic discourse initiative, in nation’s capital SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Belmont Abbey College recently announced the opening of Belmont House on Capitol Hill in the nation’s capital. The nonpolitical initiative aims to restore civil society, cultivate religious freedom and reclaim the public square for the common good.

Belmont House will give Catholic professionals working on the Hill a place to engage in fellowship and discourse with Christians and others in the political sphere. Participants will learn from the intersection of corporate, academic and civic engagement and will hone their own personal skills and faith to be leaders in restoring civil discourse.

“Just as the Benedictine presence in North Carolina helped Catholics throughout the state live out their vocation, we now extend, in our spirit of hospitality, our presence, prayer and work to Washington, D.C.,” said Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari, chancellor of Belmont Abbey College.

“At a time in our country’s history when religion and faith are being pushed out of public life, we desire to provide a refuge of hospitality and stability for those who are standing up for our religious freedoms and those who are proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel,” Abbot Placid added.

Belmont House’s work will be based on three pillars: convening, hospitality and fellowship.

Events will range from long dinners to rapid lunch sessions to multi-day retreats. Programs will be much more than workshops or events, though. Belmont House will develop content and policy solutions, as well as build relationships and influence.

The initiative will manifest hospitality – a hallmark of the Benedictine charism – by hosting a wide range of constituents from students to politicians to bishops to lay leaders, and offering well-designed, thoughtful and impactful programing.

The Capitol Hill facility includes small-group discussion areas, meeting and discussion rooms, dining rooms conducive to longer meals and programs, and three small “bed and breakfast”style suites for guests.

Much of the fellowship is expected to develop through the first two pillars: convening and hospitality.

“There are many ills afflicting the world today.

In order to bring the light of the Gospel to these problems facing us, we must come together and share our work and our prayer, our ‘Ora et Labora,’” Abbot Placid noted, quoting the phrase from the Rule of St. Benedict to “pray and work.”

“When we come together in the power of Jesus’ name, our conversations bear fruit, our fellowship strengthens our witness and our work and prayers are more surely inspired by the Gospel,” he said.

Abbot Placid affirmed that Belmont Abbey College is in Washington, D.C., to stand up for the rights of believers, to serve the needs of the faithful who work in the nation’s capital and to remind all that it is right and necessary to bring the insights of faith into public life.

“Belmont House is a place where real conversation, work and change can take place,” he said.

“People up in D.C. are excited about it,” said Belmont Abbey College’s President Dr. William Thierfelder in a recent update he shared online with the college community. Thierfelder traveled to Belmont House last month and also attended the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast Sept. 14.

“It’s one more way Belmont Abbey College is becoming known and having an impact on society,” Thierfelder said.

— Belmont Abbey College contributed.

Learn more At www.belmonthousedc.org: Find out more about Belmont Abbey College’s latest initiative and watch Abbot Placid Solari’s message about Belmont House

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: OCT. 3-8 Diocese of Charlotte Priests’ Retreat Living Waters Reflection Center, Maggie Valley OCT. 10 – 12:30 P.M. Mass for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

OCT. 12 – 6 P.M. Fundraising Dinner for the Seminarian Education Program St. Patrick Cathedral Family Life Center, Charlotte OCT. 14 – 6:30 P.M. MiraVia’s 27th Annual Fundraising Banquet Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte

OCT. 17 – 11 A.M. Mass for the Opening of the Synod St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

OCT. 20 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Lawrence Basilica, Asheville

OCT. 18 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Barnabas Church, Arden

Diocesan calendar of events October 8, 2021

CONFERENCES & TALKS

DONATIONS

Volume 31 • NUMBER 1

‘GROWTH AND EMPOWERING’ PROGRAM: 7-8:30 p.m. the last Monday of the month until March 28, St. Mark Church’s Kerin Center, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. This seven-week program for women is presented by the Healed and Restored Ministry. Through prayer, guided exercises, testimony and professional programming, women will experience the true feminine genius as God intended for each of His beloved daughters. For details, visit www.healedandrestored. org and click on “Growth and Empowering Walk” to fill out an interest form, or contact Elza Spaedy at info@ healedandrestored.org.

‘SOCK-TOBER’: Join the Knights of Columbus for the Fourth Annual Our Lady of Lourdes “Sock-tober” event, every weekend in October. They will be collecting men’s, women’s and children’s socks for local charities in the Monroe area. There will be a marked donation box in the church’s narthex. Bring in new packages of athletic socks, work socks, kids, women’s and men’s socks of various sizes.

Socks are one of the most needed, yet least donated, items to local homeless shelters.

‘SPIRITUAL BUT NOT RELIGIOUS – THE SEARCH FOR MEANING IN A MATERIAL WORLD’: 7-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte.

Presented by Father John Bartunek, a best-selliing author who served as spiritual advisor on the set of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ.”

ST. MARGARET MARY’S 85TH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL: Everyone is welcome to St. Margaret Mary Parish’s 85th anniversary celebration at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at Grovemont Park, 101 W. Charleston Ave., Swannanoa. The celebration will begin with Mass at the church, followed by the festival at Grovemont Park. For questions or to volunteer, email stmmcc8s@gmail.com.

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

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

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

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‘DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 – A CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR NEW REALITY’: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, St. William Church, 765 Andrews Road, Murphy. An afternoon reflection hosted by Father Pat Cahill, pastor of St. Eugene Church in Asheville. Q&A at 2:45 p.m., with closing Mass at 3 p.m. To register, contact Sandra Breakfield, Elder Ministry program director, at 704-370-3220 or sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org, or contact Gail Maloof at 828-837-2000.

SOVIET GULAG SURVIVOR SPEAKS: Professor Myroslav Marynovych, vice rector of Ukrainian Catholic University, will talk about his experiences as a survivor of the Soviet Gulag after Divine Liturgy (Mass) at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 24.

Hosted by St. Basil the Great Eastern Catholic Church, which meets in Aquinas Hall at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. Catholics of any rite are welcome to attend the Mass (which fulfills the Sunday obligation) and learn more about the Eastern Catholic Church.

CATHOLIC MEDICAL ETHICS ON SEXUALITY AND FERTILITY: Learn about sexuality and fertility in medicine from a Catholic viewpoint, in the upcoming “Converging Roads” set for Saturday, April 2, 2022, at St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte. Presenters include: Father Matthew Kauth, “Understanding the Church’s Teaching on Sexuality and Fertility: The ‘Why’ Behind the ‘No’”; Dr. Marguerite Duane, MHA, FAAP, ‘The Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign”; Father Philip G. Bochanski, “Gender Identity Discordance: Supporting Patients and Families”; Dr. Teresa Farnan, “The Gift of the Human Person: A Christian Anthropology for Understanding Gender and Sexuality”; and more.

Continuing education credits offered for health care professionals. Presented by the St. John Paul II Foundation, the Diocese of Charlotte and Belmont Abbey College. For details, go online to www.forlifeandfamily.org/convergingroads.

our two transitional deacons, Deacon Darren Balkey and Deacon Aaron Huber, on the special Mary’s Sons kneelers that the deacons will receive when they are ordained June 18, 2022. For more information about the Mary’s Sons kneelers, go online to www.maryssons.org. Here is the schedule for the kneelers as they are moved to parishes around the diocese this fall: SEPT. 27-OCT. 11: St. John the Evangelist Church, Waynesville, and Immaculate Conception Mission, Canton OCT. 12-18: St. Joan of Arc Church, Candler

ENTERTAINMENT

ESPAÑOL VIGILIA DE LOS DOS CORAZONES: Primer viernes y sábado del mes, en la Catedral San Patricio, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Únase cada primer viernes del mes a una vigilia nocturna para honrar los Corazones de Jesús y María, orar por nuestras familias, ofrecer penitencia por nuestros pecados y pedir por la conversión de nuestra nación. Para inscribirse a una hora de Adoración, visite www.ProLifeCharlotte.org/ dos-corazones.

RACHEL’S VINEYARD: Nov. 5-7 ¿Está usted o un ser querido buscando curarse de los efectos de un aborto pasado? Los retiros de fin de semana de Rachel’s Vineyard son ofrecidos por Caridades Católicas para hombres y mujeres de la diócesis. Para más detalles: Jessica Grabowski al 910-585-2460 o jrgrabowski@ charlottediocese.org, o Lorena Hayes al 828-585-0483.

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS PET BLESSING: Noon Saturday, Oct. 9, St. Matthew Church Pet’s Memorial Garden at the corner of Rea Road and Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte. Animals need to be on a leash or in a carrier.

33-DAY CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH: Consider making a consecration to St. Joseph using “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father” by Father Donald Calloway, MIC. Starting the 33-day series of prayers on Wednesday, Nov. 24, would conclude on Sunday, Dec. 26, the feast of the Holy Family. Learn more at www.yearofstjoseph.org.

MARY’S SONS KNEELERS: Parishioners around the Diocese of Charlotte have the opportunity to pray for

OCT. 18-24: St. Andrew the Apostle Church, Mars Hill, and Sacred Heart Mission, Burnsville RETURN TO GOD PRAYER MINISTRY: 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville. Come pray at this peaceful, public prayer event with members of the St. Mark Church Community.

All are welcome. For details go to www.returntogodnow. com.

VIGIL OF THE TWO HEARTS: First Fridays and first Saturdays, St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. An overnight vigil is offered twice each month to honor the Hearts of Jesus and Mary and to offer penance and pray for the conversion of our nation.

To sign up for Eucharistic Adoration times, go to www. prolifecharlotte.org/two-hearts.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING PROTECTING CHILDREN: “Protecting God’s Children” (“Protegiendo a los Niños de Dios”) workshops educate parish volunteers to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse. For details, contact your parish office. To register for online training, go to www.virtus.org. Upcoming workshops: CONCORD: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, St. James Church, 139 Manor Avenue (Geiger Hall) THOMASVILLE: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, Our Lady of the Highways Church, 943 Ball Park Road (English and Spanish) SUPPORT GROUPS RACHEL’S VINEYARD: Nov. 5-7 (Spanish). Are you or a loved one seeking healing from the effects of a past abortion? Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats are offered by Catholic Charities for men and women in the diocese. For details: Jessica Grabowski at 910-585-2460 or jrgrabowski@charlottediocese.org, or Lorena Hayes at 828-585-0483.

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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Former St. Leo parishioner leaves lasting legacy SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

WINSTON-SALEM — The Catholic faith and education were both important to the late Joseph Baldi.

He passed away Feb. 7 at the age of 103, leaving several legacy gifts benefiting the Church in western North Carolina, including adding to the family’s endowment fund to benefit St. Leo School and choosing the income from his established gift annuities to benefit the Catholic Charities Endowment Fund and the Diocese of Charlotte’s Seminarian Education Endowment Fund.

A son of Italian immigrants, Baldi and his late wife Margaret raised their two children in the faith and emphasized the limitless possibilities of education. The couple put their beliefs into action throughout their years at St. Leo Church, supporting the parish and the school with their charitable giving.

In 2015, Baldi created the Joseph and Margaret Baldi Endowment Fund with an initial gift of $40,000 to provide tuition assistance for children of St. Leo Parish families to attend the parish’s school.

When asked in 2016 why he wanted to set up a named endowment, Baldi said, “I had heard that some of the children who wanted to attend St. Leo School could not afford the tuition, so I created the Joseph and Margaret Baldi Endowment Fund to provide tuition assistance. We have four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, and I know my wife would have loved the idea of a gift that helps children get a good Catholic education.”

Upon his passing, Baldi’s two charitable gift annuities amounted to more than $134,000.

More than $78,000 was distributed to the Joseph and Margaret Baldi Endowment Fund for St. Leo School. The Catholic Charities Endowment Fund and the Seminarian Endowment Fund received more than $27,000 each.

“The Church was always very important in their lives,” said their daughter, Patricia Baldi. “My dad had enough money, which he earned through hard work, and (he) wanted to pay some of that back, to give other children the opportunity to get an education.”

“My mother felt the same way about education,” she added.

Her father’s memorial service, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was held Sept.

17 at the Western Carolina State Veteran’s Cemetery in Black Mountain.

“I fondly remember Mr. Baldi attending the Catholic Heritage Society Mass and dinner that Bishop Jugis hosts each year,” said Gina Rhodes, diocesan director of planned giving.

“Mr. Baldi spoke of the blessings that he and Margaret had received during their lives and wanted to be sure that others, especially children, would be given opportunities. We are so thankful that he chose to remember the Church by establishing a named endowment during his life and leaving gifts to three endowments through his estate plan.”

Create an endowment Interested in setting up an endowment at your parish or Catholic school? 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.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ST. MARK CHURCH AND ST. PIUS X CHURCH

Parishes across the diocese, like St. Mark in Huntersville and St. Pius X in Greensboro, are offering in-person youth programs, particularly outdoor activities, to keep youth connected and engaged in their faith.

Youth ministry making a comeback SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Parishes are beginning to welcome back middle school and high school youth this fall, after the pandemic shut down or significantly reduced programs last year.

Diocesan youth ministry shifted some programming to virtual, but the past two Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimages were canceled.

“From a diocesan vantage point, by and large, parishes are struggling to get families to return and get their children engaged in Church life and activities,” said Paul Kotlowski, diocesan youth ministry director. “The pandemic has all but devastated diocesan youth ministry, which relies on parishes to invite and arrange for their youth to participate in larger events.”

Now that students have returned to in-person instruction in schools, parishes hope to re-engage youth, with careful attention paid to the health and safety of participants and any protocols currently put in place by local authorities.

Kotlowski said much of the success of diocesan youth ministry is the result of positive word of mouth from attendees who return from events and share their experience with others.

“We’ve lost that, and it needs to be built back over time,” he said. “But now, what’s most important is for churches to expend their efforts on the home front, so to speak. To this end, the Diocesan Office for Youth Ministry is, for the time being, focusing its attention and resources in assisting parishes to ‘build back better.’”

His office is working with the Hispanic and Education vicariates, meeting with pastors and their staffs.

“We have also retooled much of our leadership training to ‘take it on the road’ in an effort to assist parishes in forming sound, faithful and competent youth leaders locally,” he said.

‘In a year where people of all age groups were struggling with loneliness and uncertainty, we knew it was hitting the youth particularly hard, so it was a priority for us to provide them with community and help keep them rooted in the one certainty we have: our faith.’

Lauren Piercefield, St. Matthew Parish high school youth ministry leader On Oct. 19, the Office of Youth Ministry, in collaboration with the Asheville Hispanic Vicariate coordinator, will launch an effort to assist parishes in developing youth ministry leadership teams comprised of teens and adults from both Hispanic and Anglo families, bridging the divide and the duplication of efforts that often exist between different ethnicities.

Some parishes, such as St. Pius X Church in Greensboro, were able to take youth to a Life Teen camp last summer.

Isabel Bowen, St. Pius X’s parish youth minister, said her main goal this year is to simply be available to students. “They are coming out of this pandemic with so much anxiety and depression and lack of belief in their worth. We just need to be there to support them and love them and point them towards Christ.”

St. Matthew Church in Charlotte resumed its weekly Life Teen Mass in September and hosted its first Life Night of the school year Sept. 12.

Lauren Piercefield, the parish’s high school youth ministry leader, said, “In a year where people of all age groups were struggling with loneliness and uncertainty, we knew it was hitting

the youth particularly hard, so it was a priority for us to provide them with community and help keep them rooted in the one certainty we have: our faith. … We are looking forward to diving into another year of youth ministry with teens who are on fire for Jesus Christ.”

St. Mark Church in Huntersville kicked off its fall youth ministry Sept. 12.

Throughout the pandemic, the parish’s youth ministry staff and volunteers worked hard to offer safe, outdoor activities to keep young people engaged.

“Many of our young people were isolated during the pandemic,” said Father John Putnam, pastor. “We saw youth ministry as an opportunity to keep them connected. It was essential for their overall well-being.”

Looking ahead, Kotlowski said he hopes the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage, Diocesan Youth Conference and Faithful Servant Catholic Leadership Institute will go on as planned in 2022.

“The abrupt, forced shutdown caused by the pandemic is providing an opportunity to not return to normal but to re-engage our parish and diocesan youth ministry efforts with renewed focus, intentionality and purpose,” he said.

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 OUR PARISHES

Room At The Inn to host in-person annual benefit banquet GREENSBORO — Room At The Inn will host its 2021 annual benefit banquet, “Life Gives Second Chances,” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons Mall. The event will also be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person.

This year’s keynote speaker, Star Parker, is the founder and president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE), a Washington, D.C.-based public policy institute that fights poverty and restores dignity through messages of faith, freedom and personal responsibility.

Parker is a nationally syndicated columnist and hosts a weekly television news show, CURE America, that is broadcast on the National Religious Broadcasters Network, the TCT Network and streaming services.

Room At The Inn houses homeless, single, pregnant women while providing programs that help them and their children strive toward lives of hope and independence. Room At The Inn is one of eight licensed maternity homes in North Carolina and the only one that allows clients to bring older children to live at the home also.

In a taped message for the event, Bishop Peter Jugis called the theme “a fitting and hopeful message, not only ... for the work of Room At The Inn, but really for our whole world. It serves to remind us that God, the Author of Life, loves us and calls us constantly back to Himself. More than ever, our world needs to hear the Gospel message of love and mercy.”

Online registration for the “Life Gives Second Chances” banquet is free. For details, go to www. roominn.org. Questions? Call 336996-3788.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Celebrating life People across the Diocese of Charlotte gathered Sunday, Oct. 3, to kick off Respect Life Month and form Life Chains as a public witness for the dignity of all human life, from conception to natural death.

“Hope” – mini Retreat for Women CCDOC.ORG

Case Management Coordinator Saturday, October 23 Belmont Abbey from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians Enjoy a day of reflection, Mass, and mid-day prayer with the monks. Confessions will be available.

St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Charlotte is hosting the event. $15 payable to St. John Neumann includes lunch at the student cafeteria.

Contact Kelly Flowers at (704)535-4197 or kelly@4sjnc.org to rsvp

Catholic Charities seeks a bilingual (English and Spanish) Case Management Coordinator to provide multi-countywide services based out of Lenoir (Caldwell County). Position entails regular interactions with regional Catholic parishes and community agencies, and the recruitment/coordination of volunteers. No phone calls please.

Position open until filled. Go to www.ccdoc.org/jobs for details.

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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MiraVia’s in-person fundraiser to be held Oct. 14

Your DSA contributions at work PHOTOS BY BARBARA CASE SPEERS, PAUL DOIZÉ, AMY BURGER, JAMES SARKIS AND JOHN ACKERMAN; PROVIDED BY ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH’S FACEBOOK PAGE

The diocese’s Respect Life ministry is funded in part by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal.

Learn more about the DSA and how to donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.

CHARLOTTE — MiraVia will host its 27th annual fundraising banquet at the Charlotte Convention Center’s Crown Ballroom this year, with the option to watch online, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 14.

Bishop Peter Jugis and other priests and deacons of the diocese will be in attendance.

The “Proclaiming Truth and Life” banquet will feature keynote speaker Alison Centofante, a powerful pro-life activist and director of external relations for Live Action, the nation’s largest prolife media group focused on shifting public opinion through education.

MiraVia, which began as Room At The Inn in 1994, helps abortionvulnerable women choose life and build independent, healthy lives for themselves and their children. At its outreach facility in Charlotte, MiraVia offers free life skills classes, material assistance and moral support to the women who come to them for help. Since its founding, MiraVia has helped nearly 9,091 women and their children at its outreach program.

In 2013 it opened a 10,000-squarefoot maternity home at Belmont Abbey College that can house up to 15 young women with an unplanned pregnancy who want to complete their college education and care for their babies. To date, MiraVia has provided this free housing at its college maternity residence to 62 mothers and their children. Since the first pregnant mother’s admission in December 1994, the residential program has served 587 mothers and children.

Registration to view the “Proclaiming Truth and Life” banquet online is still open, although sign-ups for in-person attendance have ended. Go to www.miravia.org for more information and to register.

Questions? Contact Megan Whiteside at meganwhiteside@miravia.org or 704-525-4673, ext. 13.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

“Get your ducks in a row!”

Experiencing difficulties in your marriage?

A Lifeline for Marriage October 22-24, 2021 in Raleigh, NC The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience combined with a series of 6 post-weekend sessions. It provides the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis of the program is on communication in marriage between husband and wife. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way.

Registration Deadline is October 15 www.helpourmarriage.org

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

704.843.1446 | www.ncestateplanninginfo.com

6406 Carmel Road, Suite 301 | Charlotte, North Carolina 28226

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 OUR PARISHES

Pope: This October, focus on living as missionaries every day CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — All Christians are called to be missionaries, which at its most basic level involves living in such a way that other people ask what motivates their love and concern, Pope Francis said.

“Jesus asks us all, and you as well, to be missionary disciples. Are you ready?” the pope asked in a video marking the beginning of the Church’s annual celebration of October as Mission Month.

World Mission Sunday is Oct. 24.

The pope’s prayer intention for the month of October is: “We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavor of the Gospel.”

The intention and the pope’s video commenting on it are distributed by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, formerly known as the Apostleship of Prayer.

To be a missionary, the pope said in the video, “it’s enough to be available to answer His call and to live united to the Lord in the most common daily things – work, meeting other people, our daily duties, the chance events of each day – allowing ourselves to be guided always by the Holy Spirit.”

The way a Christian lives should provoke admiration in others, he said.

Then they will ask, “How is it possible for this person to be this way?” or “What is the source of the love with which this

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

community. Pictured during the food drive are (from left) Father Jacob Malakar, Mary Hamacher, Cindy Smith, Melanie Feeney-Lewis, Father Noah Carter and Cynthia Hatch.

— Paul Doizé, correspondent

person treats everyone – the kindness and good humor?”

Evangelization or missionary activity is not about forcing or coercing anyone, he said.

“Mission is based on an encounter between people, on the testimony of men and women who say, ‘I know Jesus, and I’d like you to know Him, too.”

World Mission Sunday collection set for Oct. 23-24 Parishes throughout the Diocese of Charlotte will participate in World Mission Sunday the weekend of Oct. 23-24.

Promoted by the Pontifical Mission Societies, World Mission Sunday is the annual worldwide Eucharistic celebration for the Missions and missionaries of the world. The special second collection taken up during Masses that weekend is a global effort for the entire Church to provide for the building up of more than 1,000 local churches in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and parts of Latin America and Europe.

Through the work of these churches and their witness to Christ, the poor receive practical help and experience God’s love and mercy, His hope and peace.

Learn more At www.propfaith.net/onefamilyinmission/ default.aspx: Get more information about the Pontifical Mission Societies

Lexington marks anniversary Carmelites make temporary, definitive promises CHARLOTTE — The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Charlotte Community of Discalced Secular Carmelites received the temporary and definitive promises of several members at Mass Sept. 11 at St. Ann Church. Father Timothy Reid, community spiritual advisor, served as main celebrant and received the vows of the members. Pictured (from left) are: Aida Tamayo, community president; Suzanne Terry; Meg Landerville; Father Reid; Colleen Harbison; Kim Carillo; and Dee Christian, community formation director. The Discalced Secular Carmelites meet monthly at St. Ann Church. For more information, go online to www.olmcocds.org.

LEXINGTON — Our Lady of the Rosary Church recently celebrated 22 years of offering Spanish-language Masses. For the Sept. 12 anniversary celebration, they invited Father Julio Dominguez, vicar of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Charlotte, and held a food and music festival.

— Sergio Lopez, correspondent

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Bake sale nets thousands for local charities

Holy Cross holds food drive KERNERSVILLE — In a recent food drive sponsored by the parish’s ecumenism commission, Holy Cross Church members collected 599 pounds of food to make 499 meals, and enough donations to purchase another 630 meals for people in need in the

CLEMMONS — The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Guild and the Bishop Greco Columbiettes 9499 from Holy Family Parish in Clemmons recently joined forces to raise money to benefit the Clemmons Food Pantry and the Meals for Morgan backpack program. They held a “Great American Bake Sale” after Masses in August and raised $2,125, which was split between the two charities. Pictured (from left) are Ellen Tommasi from the Guild, Jeanne Moser from the Clemmons Pantry, and Maggie Herbstritt from the Columbiettes.

— Ellen Tommasi

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

Rev. Alcuin Baudermann, OSB – 1975 Rev. Paschal Baumstein, OSB - 2007 Rev. Patrick J. Donahue, OSB – 1994 Rev. Joseph A. Elzi – 2019 Rev. Raymond B. Hourihan – 2016 Rev. John A. Oetgen, OSB – 2009 Rev. Msgr. William Wellein – 1997 Rev. Lawrence Willis, OSB - 2003

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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Chirp. Meow. Woof.

Annual Blessings of the Animals were held in honor of the feast day of St. Francis Oct. 4.

Blessings were held the weekend of Oct. 1-3 at parishes and schools across the Diocese of Charlotte.

St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals, merchants and ecology.

Another opportunity

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ST. LEO THE GREAT PARISH, SACRED HEART PARISH, AMY BURGER, MARYANN LUEDTKE AND PAUL DOIZÉ

Charlotte residents: Missed having your pet blessed last weekend? St. Matthew Church will host a pet blessing at noon Saturday, Oct. 9. Go to the Pets Memorial Garden next to the main church at the corner of Rea Road and Ballantyne Commons Parkway. Animals need to be on a leash or in a carrier.

Our schools 10

catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Paralympics champion teaches OLA students about failure, not just winning KRIS JOHNSON CORRESPONDENT

CHARLOTTE — The gold medal draped around Emma Schieck’s neck told you everything you needed to know about her biggest accomplishment as a Paralympian, but it couldn’t come close to revealing the full story behind that success.

Schieck shared that personally with students in the fourth, fifth and eighth grades at Our Lady of the Assumption School on Sept. 30 in Charlotte. The 20-year-old sit-down volleyball player was some three weeks removed from serving the winning point during Team USA’s 3-0 victory over China in the gold medal match of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

Schieck, who suffered a brachial plexus injury at birth, does not have the ability to

PHOTOS BY KRIS JOHNSON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Paralympic gold medalist Emma Schieck gave an encouraging talk to students at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte last week. The 20-year-old sit-down volleyball player served the winning point during Team USA’s 3-0 victory over China in the gold medal match of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, held Sept. 5. straighten her left arm, which has a limited range of motion.

“Volleyball wasn’t always easy, but it didn’t stop me from falling in love with it,” said Schieck, whose involvement in standup volleyball began in third grade.

She candidly discussed setbacks in the sport, including her failure to make the school team as a seventh-grader and a freshman while growing up in Statesville.

Resilience in the face of those rejections (and lifelong disability) propelled Schieck forward.

Our Lady of the Assumption’s Principal Tyler Kulp said those lessons will resonate with his students during these formative years.

“It’s incredible that someone can talk about their disability so openly and honestly,” Kulp said.

“I just think it’s powerful for our students to see someone tell their story about breaking through walls, being told no and still succeeding. It’s so important for our kids.”

Our Lady of the Assumption Secretary Kathy Spado organized the event and echoed those sentiments.

“It showed them the importance of being determined and not giving up,” Spado said.

“Being told no made her work harder. She heard that a lot along the way, but now she’s on the highest ranked team in the world.”

Spado’s son Dante met Schieck at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and they are still dating.

Schieck will return to her studies in Sports Administration and Interpersonal Organizational Communication in January. She will do so after a slew of speaking engagements in the wake of her golden moment.

“I’ve been a lot more confident and comfortable,” she said. “I’ve been talking to so many people. It’s been super fun and something I’ve loved doing.”

The kids at Our Lady of the Assumption kept Schieck on her toes during a questionand-answer session.

“Who’s your favorite teammate?” asked one.

“Are there any teammates that you don’t like?” countered another.

The ensuing laughter kept things light until Schieck’s session ended with resounding chants of “USA, USA, USA” from students and faculty alike.

Then it was difficult to tell who or what was glowing more, Schieck or the 1-pound, 2-ounce gold medal she was still wearing.

As she continues to help influence young hearts and minds with her personal story, Schieck wants kids to remember one of the secrets to success.

“I hope they learn failures are great,” she said. “They can be awesome keys to learn and grow.”

Mix

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

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On TV n Friday, Oct. 8, 5 p.m. (EWTN) “They Might be Saints: Father Patrick Peyton.” A look at the charismatic priest who pioneered the use of radio and TV to bring the rosary to the world, staging massive rallies and enlisting Hollywood celebrities in his singular mission.

In theaters

n Saturday, Oct. 9, 9:30 a.m.

(EWTN) “Cardinal Newman: The Littlemore Years.” A look into the years Cardinal John Henry Newman spent in the small town of Littlemore and how his time there brought about his conversion to the Catholic Church.

CNS | REAL + TRUE

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Ben Platt reprises his Broadway role as the angst-ridden teen of the title in director Stephen Chbosky’s screen version of the award-winning 2016 musical drama. After the troubled brother (Colton Ryan) of the fellow student for whom the lad yearns (Kaitlyn Dever) takes his own life, a misunderstanding leads the parents of the deceased (Amy Adams and Danny Pino) to believe that their son and he were best friends. Partly to comfort the couple, partly to get closer to their daughter and partly because he longs for a fuller family life than his overworked divorced mother (Julianne Moore) can provide, he goes along with the idea and gradually elaborates on it. Those in search of toe-tapping diversion should look elsewhere since the work of composers and lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul as well as screenwriter Steven Levenson, the author of the show’s book, is anything but lighthearted. While cynics may also come away unsatisfied, viewers inclined to plumb the emotional depths explored in this always intense but sometimes awkward and overbearing film should equip themselves with Kleenex. Given the upright nature of the picture’s fundamental values and the lesson it teaches about the importance of honesty, parents will probably find it acceptable for older adolescents. Mature themes, including suicide and depression, several milder oaths, one rough and a few crude terms.

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

‘Cry Macho’ Clint Eastwood directed and stars in this gentle, though naive, road movie, set in 1980.

He plays a burned-out rodeo star who, at the behest of his ex-boss (Dwight Yoakam), a Texas rancher, travels to Mexico to find the cattleman’s preteen son (Eduardo Minett) and bring him to the States to live with his dad.

The journey that ensues, which finds the pair eventually bonding with a warmhearted cafe owner (Natalia Traven), is more an amble than a scramble. But there’s a kindly tone to Nick Schenk and N. Richard Nash’s sometimes offkey script, adapted from a novel by Nash, that goes a long way toward redeeming the slow pace and predictable story arc. While believers will appreciate the occasional religious detail in the film, salty language and a briefly touchedon backstory about the lad’s experience of sexual exploitation and physical abuse make it unsuitable for kids. Mature themes, sporadic crude and crass language.

CNS: A-III (Adults); MPPA: PG-13

This is an image for the global project “Real + True” which aims to “unlock” the Catechism of the Catholic Church and modernize the way Church teaching is presented to a digital age. The initiative includes videos, social media content and a podcast organized along the four pillars of the catechism.

New global initiative seeks to ‘unlock’ catechism ANNA CAPIZZI GALVEZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — When is the last time you cracked open the Catechism of the Catholic Church? Odds are, it’s sitting on your bookshelf collecting dust.

A new global project, Real + True, seeks to “unlock” the catechism and modernize the way Church teaching is presented to a digital age.

The catechism “is not just a technical book,” said Real + True co-founder Edmund Mitchell, “but it’s written to really change our relationship with Christ.”

Launched Sept. 7, the initiative includes videos, social media content and a podcast organized along the four pillars of the catechism. Each month a new unit will be released, with 12 units for each pillar, totaling 48 units.

Aimed at millennial and Generation Z audiences, the content is meant to supplement evangelization and catechesis efforts that already exist as well as be a resource to those seeking answers to questions online, said co-founder Edmundo Reyes.

The material is free and available on realtrue.org in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French.

Reyes said the inspiration for Real + True came six years ago in Portland, Oregon, when he encountered BibleProject, a nonprofit organization with a library of resources to help people read and understand the Bible.

While the organization isn’t Catholic, he was impressed by their work, which he’d “never seen done in a Church setting.”

After learning about BibleProject’s creative process, he came back “with the hope of one day doing something similar with the Church.”

The Church is moving in the direction of an “evangelizing catechesis,” said Reyes, citing the example of Pope Francis instituting the ministry of the catechist

in May and the Vatican updating the “Directory for Catechesis” June 2020. He sees Real + True as participating in that evangelizing catechesis.

Reyes quoted the catechism, which states: “Periods of renewal in the Church are also intense moments of catechesis.” And with the 30th anniversary of the catechism next year, the time seemed ripe to launch the initiative.

Reyes described Real + True as a “passion project,” apart from his work as the director of the communications in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Co-founder Emily Mentock explained that the project’s goal of “unlocking the catechism for the modern world” means bringing the “content of the text into more digital media channels to better reach the audience that we’re after” -- people that are not against the Church but are curious and open to learning more about their faith.

Mentock, 29, said her own journey back to practicing Catholicism informed her work on Real + True. A pivotal step in her story was seeing a tweet quoting Bishop Robert E. Barron’s sermons podcast.

The tweet piqued her interest, so she started listening to the podcast and eventually “became compelled to go back to Mass and from there became compelled to actually read all the Gospels,” said Mentock, who works as associate director of digital strategy at the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Each Real + True unit contains three videos -- a proclamation video, an explanation video and a connection video -- as well as a podcast that is geared toward formal and informal catechists.

Funded by a grant from Our Sunday Visitor, the Real + True initiative is also seeking donations to translate content into more languages and produce videos at a faster pace.

“The work of evangelization online is significant and important, especially in a world so connected, which is what we saw in the pandemic,” said Reyes.

n Saturday, Oct. 9, 2 p.m. (EWTN) “Our Lady of Fatima.” A history of Our Lady’s appearances to three poor shepherd children in Fatima, and the messages of prayer and penance for the salvation of souls which the six apparitions stressed. Filmed on location in Portugal. n Monday, Oct. 11, 5:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “Pope John XXIII: The Saint.” A documentary on the incredible contributions of John XXIII to the Church and to the world, featuring historic footage from the Vatican Archives and interviews with many on his legacy including his grandnephew, Marco Roncalli. n Tuesday, Oct. 12, 10:30 a.m.

(EWTN) “Mother: Our Lady of the Pillar.” Ordinary life is the perfect place for extraordinary things to happen, as seen in this inspiring story of the Blessed Mother’s intercessory prayers for James the Apostle, and for a college student diagnosed with cancer n Thursday, Oct. 14, 5:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “Myanmar: Hill of Dreams.” The history of Catholic missionaries in the Southern Chin Hills, where their mission of faith continues to bloom bright, despite being a religious minority. n Friday, Oct. 15, 5:30 p.m.

EWTN) “St. Teresa of Avila.” An illuminating docudrama examining the life of the 16th Century saint and mystic Teresa of Avila. n Saturday, Oct. 16, 3:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “Pope John Paul II.” Filmed on location in Rome and Poland, the late pope’s life is traced from his youth in Poland to his last days as successor of Peter. Witness how he touched millions of lives, defended human dignity and changed the face of the Church and the world. n Sunday, Oct. 17, 6 a.m. (EWTN) “Angelus with Pope Francis.”

Pope Francis leads the world in the recitation of the Angelus, live from Rome.

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 FROM THE COVER

‘Love God, Follow Jesus, and Serve All’

St. Thérèse Parish celebrates 75th anniversary, urged to stay ‘forever young’ SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

MOORESVILLE — Over a weekend filled with reverent, fun and family-friendly events, St. Thérèse Parish celebrated its patronal feast day and 75th anniversary Oct. 1-3.

The church hosted three days of celebrations with activities including Mass; Adoration and veneration of a first-class relic of St. Thérèse of Lisieux; a Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event; a festival featuring games, food and live music; a fundraising gala; a parish fiesta dinner; a special presentation with Quinceañeras hosted by the Latino ministry; a talent show and an ice cream social.

Hundreds of parishioners attended the liturgies and social events marking the parish’s jubilee anniversary.

Ian Campos, who helped spearhead the anniversary celebration planning committee, said, “We took our inspiration from our patroness, St. Thérèse, and wanted to do a number of ‘little things’ that when put together made a big impact.”

He noted that parishioners helped pack more than 35,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger and donated over $350,000 to FeedNC and The Christian Mission. Even the cost of the parish-wide celebrations was covered by generous donors.

“For me personally, the biggest blessing of putting this together has been the people of the parish I have met. We have such a strong core – people who have willingly given of their time, talent and treasure – each going above and beyond in the true spirit of ‘Nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all you can with great love,’” Campos said.

“As the pastor here for only four years, I know that I am only a small part of the parish history,” Father Mark Lawlor acknowledged. “One of the first things that I did upon my appointment in Mooresville was to ride my bicycle over to the old church on North Main Street, which is now a restaurant. The building, which is basically on a house lot, speaks of the humble beginnings of the parish and the perseverance of the parishioners.”

“We now have a grand parish church and parish life center, but we are aware of the contributions of the faithful and the pastoral leadership over the years,” he said.

Father Lawlor concelebrated the 75th anniversary Mass Oct. 2 along with the main celebrant, Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese. They were joined at the altar by Father Bernard Oleru, parochial vicar, as well as Father Paul Asoh, former parochial vicar who is now pastor of St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Sylva.

They were assisted by newly ordained Deacon Joe Smith.

Newly ordained Deacon Joe Smith holds aloft the Book of the Gospels during the 75th anniversary Mass Oct. 2 at St. Thérèse Church in Mooresville. The parish celebrated the patronal feast over three days, offering free activities and charitable opportunities for parishioners.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

During his homily, Monsignor Winslow expounded on the life of St. Thérèse, a Doctor of the Church, noting her childlike confidence in God, even in her adulthood, and the significant impact her life and writings have had on the Church.

“You have a blessed patron for this parish,” he said. “And on the occasion of the 75th anniversary, it is good to remember that as this parish grows older, it should always be ever young. Because whether it is the youngest members of the parish or the oldest members of the parish, our goal is to be forever young in the eyes of God. … I encourage you to reflect upon the ways upon which you and I are called to be childlike before God.” Jack Hastings, a parishioner for the past 22 years, is chairman of the stewardship committee and served as one of the lectors at the anniversary Mass. He observed, “The growth that has come (to St. Thérèse) from people moving into the area obviously brings with it the cultures and influences from different parts of the country. … It has brought people with different viewpoints. It makes the parish more well-rounded.”

Gail Benson, a parishioner for the past 11 years, is the chairperson of the parish’s Evangelization and Communication Commission. She also serves on the Welcome Committee and Stewardship Committee, and she chairs the Virtual Rosary group. “I love the parishioners and enjoy working with a dedicated and passionate group of people. They are always working to make our parish a vibrant community,” she said.

“I love that we have over 70 ministries to help us grow in our faith and to serve others. There is something at St. Thérèse for everyone,” Benson added.

Sophia McNiff and her husband Jim have been parishioners for the past 17 years. Both are involved in ministries and groups at St. Thérèse. McNiff said, “I love helping those in need. The parish is welcoming to all.”

“From 12 people coming together in 1946 for the first Mass to where it stands today, St. Thérèse will always be special, because no matter how big it becomes, it is rooted in that humility of the Little Way Spirit,” Campos explained.

He said the parish “feels like our International Festival has as many flags flying as the UN, but we are all one faith family. We have been blessed to have many wonderful Redemptorist, Jesuit and diocesan priests who have given this parish its unique blend of spirituality and community.”

“Of late, the priests from the Missionaries of St. Paul serving our diocese have added even more to our unique blend of spirituality and community,” he added.

After the 75th anniversary Mass on Oct. 2, Campos assisted Monsignor Winslow and Father Lawlor in unveiling a commemorative plaque, which now hangs outside on a brick wall overlooking the piazza near the front doors of the main church.

“As our commemorative plaque says, we wanted to honor the faith, fortitude and dedication of ‘the pioneer priests and parishioners who exemplified the Little Way Spirit and gave us our spiritual home,’” Campos said.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: View more photos from the 75th anniversary Mass

History of pastors at St. Thérèse Church 1946-1954: Redemptorists from Kannapolis 1954-1970: Diocesan priests 1970: Consolata Society priests 1970-2017: Society of Jesus (Jesuit) priests 2017-: Diocesan priests

Pastors 1946-1947 Father Francis L. Funk and Father James Malley 1948-1950 Father Michael Downing and Father Walter Bueche 1951-1952 Father Michael Downing and Father Howard J. Herold 1953 Father Michael Downing and Father Walter Cavanaugh 1954 Father Paul Laicher and Father Stanislaus Morawski 1954-1956 Father Stephen A. Sullivan 1956-1959 Father Edward Beatty 1959-1966 Father Joseph J. Waters 1966-1970 Father Vincent I. Erb 1970 Father John Radaelli, IMC 1970-1974 Father J. Calvert Brown, SJ 1974-1977 Father John P. Brown, SJ 1977-1981 Father Paul J. Gilvary, SJ 1981-1982 Father Samuel R. Pitts, SJ 1982-1990 Father William G. Kelly, SJ 1991-1994 Father Andrew Novotney, SJ 1994-1999 Father Robert D. Wiesenbaugh, SJ 1999-2005 Father James McAndrews, SJ 2005-2017 Father Vincent Curtin, SJ 2017- Father Mark S. Lawlor

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

FROM THE COVERI

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The history of St. Thérèse Church

Parroquianos brindaron su tiempo, talento y tesoro del 1 al 3 de octubre para celebrar el 75 aniversario de la parroquia Santa Teresa en Mooresville.

FOTO PROVENIENTE DE FACEBOOK

‘Amen a Dios, sigan a Jesús, y sirvan a todos’ SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

MOORESVILLE — Del 1 al 3 de octubre, durante un fin de semana lleno de eventos, la parroquia Santa Teresa celebró su fiesta patronal y 75 aniversario.

La parroquia ofreció tres días de celebraciones con actividades que incluyeron la celebración de la Santa Misa; adoración y veneración de una reliquia de primera clase de Santa Teresa de Lisieux; un evento de empaquetado de alimentos ‘Rise Against Hunger’; un festival con juegos, comida y música en vivo; una gala de recaudación de fondos; una cena festiva parroquial; una presentación especial de Quinceañeras organizada por el ministerio hispano; un show de talentos y una reunión social con helados.

Cientos de feligreses asistieron a las liturgias y eventos sociales que marcaron el aniversario jubilar de la parroquia.

Ian Campos, quien ayudó a encabezar el comité de planificación de celebración del aniversario, dijo: “Nos inspiramos en nuestra patrona, Santa Teresa, y quisimos hacer una serie de ‘pequeñas cosas’ que, cuando se juntaran, tuvieran un gran impacto”.

Señaló que los feligreses ayudaron a empacar más de 35.000 paquetes de comida para Rise Against Hunger y donaron más de $ 350.000 a FeedNC y The Christian Mission. Inclusive el costo de las celebraciones fue cubierto por donantes.

“Para mí, personalmente, la mayor bendición de esta actividad ha sido la gente de la parroquia que he conocido. Tenemos un núcleo muy fuerte, personas que voluntariamente han donado su tiempo, talento y tesoro, cada uno yendo un paso adelante con el verdadero espíritu de ‘Nada es pequeño a los ojos de Dios. Haz todo lo que puedas con mucho amor’”, dijo Campos.

“Como pastor aquí por solo cuatro años, sé que soy solo una pequeña parte de la historia de la parroquia”, dijo el Padre Mark Lawlor. “Una de las primeras cosas que hice al ser asignado a Mooresville, fue ir en bicicleta a la vieja iglesia en North Main Street, que ahora es un restaurante.

El edificio, básicamente un solar para casas, dice de los humildes comienzos de la parroquia y la perseverancia de los feligreses”.

“Ahora tenemos una gran iglesia y un centro parroquial, pero somos conscientes de las contribuciones de los fieles y del liderazgo pastoral a lo largo de los años”, dijo.

El 2 de octubre, el Padre Lawlor concelebró la Misa del 75 aniversario junto con el celebrante principal, Monseñor Patrick Winslow, vicario general y canciller de la diócesis. A ellos se unieron el Padre Bernard Oleru, vicario parroquial, así como el Padre Paul Asoh, ex vicario parroquial que ahora es pastor de la Iglesia Santa María Madre de Dios en Sylva. Fueron asistidos por el recién ordenado Diácono Joe Smith.

Durante su homilía, Monseñor Winslow habló sobre la vida de Santa Teresa, Doctora de la Iglesia, destacando su confianza como un niño en Dios, incluso en su edad adulta, y el impacto significativo que su vida y sus escritos han tenido en la Iglesia.

“Tienen una patrona bendita en esta parroquia”, dijo.

“Y con ocasión del 75 aniversario, es bueno recordar que a medida que esta parroquia envejece, siempre debe ser joven. Porque ya sean los miembros más jóvenes o más viejos de la parroquia, nuestro objetivo es ser siempre jóvenes a los ojos de Dios”. “Los animo a que reflexionen sobre la manera en las que ustedes y yo estamos llamados a ser como niños ante Dios”.

Jack Hastings, feligrés por 22 años, es presidente del comité de administración. Sirvió como uno de los lectores en la Misa. Dijo: “El crecimiento que ha venido (a Santa Teresa) de las personas que se mudan al área obviamente trae consigo culturas e influencias de diferentes partes del país. Ha traído gente con diferentes puntos de vista. Hace que la parroquia sea más completa”.

Sophia McNiff y su esposo Jim han sido feligreses durante los últimos 17 años. Ambos están involucrados en ministerios y grupos en Santa Teresa. McNiff dijo: “Me encanta ayudar a los necesitados. La parroquia les da la bienvenida a todos”.

“Desde que doce personas se reunieron en 1946 para la primera Misa hasta donde se encuentra hoy, Santa Teresa siempre será especial, porque no importa cuán grande sea, está arraigada en esa humildad del Espíritu del Pequeño Camino”, explicó Campos.

Dijo que la parroquia, “siente que nuestro Festival Internacional tiene tantas banderas ondeando como la ONU, pero todos somos una sola familia religiosa. Hemos tenido la suerte de contar con maravillosos sacerdotes redentoristas, jesuitas y diocesanos que le han dado a esta parroquia una mezcla única de espiritualidad y comunidad.

“En los últimos tiempos, los sacerdotes de los Misioneros de San Pablo que sirven nuestra diócesis han aportado aún más a nuestra mezcla única de la espiritualidad y comunidad”, agregó.

Después de la Misa de aniversario, Campos ayudó a Monseñor Winslow y al Padre Lawlor a develar una placa conmemorativa en una pared de la plaza cercana a las puertas de la entrada principal de la iglesia.

“Como dice nuestra placa conmemorativa, quisimos honrar la fe, el valor y la dedicación de ‘los sacerdotes y feligreses pioneros que ejemplifican el Espíritu del Pequeño Camino y nos dieron nuestro hogar espiritual’”, dijo Campos.

Más online En www.catholicnewsherald.com: Vea más fotos de la Misa del 75 aniversario.

The St. Thérèse community of faith, celebration and service began Jan. 6, 1946, as the St. Gerard Mission of St. Joseph Church in Kannapolis. Redemptorist priests came to the Van Hoys’ home on North Church Street to celebrate Mass for about a dozen people. The Catholic population of western North Carolina was about 6,000.

In 1949, as St. Thérèse Mission, the faith community occupied its next home at 761 Main St. The church was a reconstructed chapel from Camp Lejuene, seating about 168 people, with the pastor’s quarters in a loft above the church. St. Thérèse Church became an independent parish in 1956, and in 1957 it constructed an addition for the pastor’s quarters and later offices. In 1961, the parish acquired a home next door for a rectory, and in 1967 another home was purchased to be used for classrooms. At that time, the parish had three buildings on 1.57 acres and was comprised of about 50 families.

In 1972, the Diocese of Charlotte was created. In 1983, the Mooresville parish added a meeting room to its facilities. The parish, then with more than 100 families, took over Catholic Campus Ministry at Davidson College from St. James Church in Concord. The Catholic population of the diocese had risen to more than 63,000 people.

St. Thérèse Parish’s connection with the Jesuits of the Maryland Province began in 1970 with the pastorate of Jesuit Father Calvert Brown, whose warm, friendly personality helped him win over the hearts of many Protestants in the Mooresville area. Through the years the parish was blessed with a long line of wonderful Jesuit priests. Each encouraged and inspired the faith community with their special charism and Ignatian spirituality.

On July 20, 1986, the parish broke ground at the church’s current site on Brawley School Road. Having sold its former church building, the parish met at Central United Methodist Church until moving into the new church on Jan. 30, 1988. At that time, the parish had 310 families.

By late 1992, the Catholic population of the diocese had surpassed 75,000 people and St. Thérèse Parish, with 735 families, had become the fastest-growing parish in the diocese. In March 1997, with its congregation continuing to grow, St. Thérèse Church was divided into two parishes with the formation of St. Mark Church in Huntersville. St. Mark took over the campus ministry at Davidson College.

By March 1998, St. Thérèse Parish had grown to the number of families it had before the establishment of St. Mark Parish. The parish had 1,080 families and was fast outgrowing its space. A capital campaign was launched to construct a parish life center to house the parish’s education and music ministries, as well as a social hall to accommodate parish-wide events, sports and holiday Masses.

In September 2002, the Lewis Mack Parish Life Center, named for one of the parish’s founding members, was dedicated. The Parish Life Center brought new life to the parish and enabled expanded ministries in the parish and in the community.

In 2011, the parish’s Building Committee commissioned a new church. On Dec. 7, 2013, parishioners celebrated the groundbreaking for a new 1,200-seat church, then gathered again for the blessing of the new church’s altar beam on April 29, 2014. Families were given an opportunity to sign the beam.

On March 28, 2015, the new church was dedicated, with Bishop Peter Jugis presiding.

The following year, on Oct. 1, 2016, the parish celebrated its feast day with a festival and the blessing of a marble statue of St. Thérèse, donated by the Sisters of Mercy at Sacred Heart Convent.

On July 11, 2017, the Jesuits departed the parish, and it reverted to the care of diocesan priests.

Father Mark Lawlor was installed as pastor on Aug. 31, 2017.

Today St. Thérèse Parish has 2,921 registered families, and 800 children and youth in its faith formation programs.

It is estimated to be the fifth largest parish in the Charlotte diocese.

There are more than 70 active ministries at the parish, including a number of outreach programs. Parishioners are active at FeedNC (formerly the Mooresville Soup Kitchen) and The Christian Mission and support two backpack Food Ministries that serve local schoolchildren and their families.

The Christmas Giving Tree program provides gifts to the poor in the Mooresville community.

An increasingly important part of the parish’s outreach efforts has been its work among the Latino population of the area. Although the number of parishioners who speak Spanish as their first language hovers at around 15 percent, the church’s work extends far beyond the parish boundaries.

The future looks bright because of the increasing number of people who are settling in the diocese.

— St. Thérèse Parish contributed.

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FROM TH

Meet our new deacons

Becker

Deacon Joseph Becker Assignment: St. Matthew Church, Charlotte Wife: Tammy Becker Family: Three adult children, three grandchildren Originally from: Cincinnati, Ohio Lived in diocese: First arrived 1985, spent a few years away, back since 2010

Deacon Eduardo Bernal Assignment: Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Charlotte Wife: Brenda Arroyo Family: One child Originally from: El Salvador Lived in diocese: Since 2000

Bernal

Deacon Carl Brown Assignment: Good Shepherd Mission, King Wife: Leslie Brown Family: Three adult children, five grandchildren Originally from: Chicago, Illinois area Lived in diocese: Since 1992 Brown

Deacon Charles Hindbaugh Assignment: Our Lady of the Americas Church, Biscoe Wife: Mary Hindbaugh Originally from: Monroe, Michigan Lived in diocese: Since 2011

Bishop Peter Jugis ordained 12 men as permanent deacons Sept. 25 at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. With this ordination class, the diocese has 146 permanent deacons – the most in

‘Ministers of un

Hindbaugh

Deacon Todd Labonte Assignment: St. James the Greater Church, Concord Wife: Michelle Labonte Family: Two teenage children Originally from: Biddeford, Maine Lived in diocese: Since 2016

Deacon John Langlois Assignment: St. Eugene Church, Asheville Wife: Marie Langlois Family: Two children Originally from: Greenville, Rhode Island Lived in diocese: Since 1991 Langlois

With latest ordination, diocese has most deacons in its history SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

Labonte

its history – serving throughout western North Caroli more than 500,000.

HUNTERSVILLE — Bishop Peter Jugis ordained 12 men as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte during a two-hour Mass Sept. 25 at St. Mark Church.

The new deacons are Joseph Becker, Eduardo Bernal, Carl Brown, Charles Hindbaugh, Todd Labonte, John Langlois, Thomas Martin, William Melton Jr., Francisco Piña, Herbert Quintanilla, Joe Smith and Margarito Franco Torres.

With this ordination class, the diocese now has 146 permanent deacons – the most in its history – serving throughout western North Carolina, where the Catholic population numbers more than 500,000.

During the ordination rite, the men knelt one by one before Bishop Jugis three times. First, the bishop clasped their hands as they committed to serve him and the Church. Second, the bishop laid hands on their heads, invoking the Holy Spirit. And lastly, they received the Book of the Gospels to symbolize their ministry to preach and teach.

The newly ordained deacons will now be able to assist at the altar during Mass, proclaim the Gospel at Mass,

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos and video highlights from the ordination Mass, watch Bishop Jugis’ complete homily, and read reflections from the deacons and their wives about their vocation give homilies, administer the sacrament of baptism and officiate at weddings. Permanent deacons serve in parishes as well as in specialized pastoral areas such as Hispanic Ministry, RCIA, the airport chaplaincy and prison ministry.

FATHER JOINS HIS SON IN SERVICE

Deacon Joseph Becker follows his son, Father Brian Becker, pastor of St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa, into service to the Church.

“The son that I clothed as a child is now my spiritual father as a priest. For him to clothe me in the vestments of the diaconate was such a blessing,” Deacon Becker said.

“It’s been a great joy to watch my father’s progress to the diaconate over the last several years,” Father Becker noted. “Through the process, we’ve had great discussions as he’s continued to be formed in the Church’s intellectual tradition.”

“So many have benefited from his teaching and work, even during his formation, that I’m excited to see the impact of God’s grace as my father now embarks on the diaconal ministry he has received,” Father Becker added.

Deacon Becker preached his first Mass Sept. 26 at his

HE COVER

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

Meet our new deacons Deacon Thomas Martin Assignment: St. Mark Church, Huntersville Wife: Heather Martin Family: Seven children ranging in age from 27-13 Originally from: Midland, Michigan Lived in diocese: First arrived 1998, spent a few years away, 19 years total Martin

Deacon William Melton Jr. Assignment: St. Michael the Archangel Church, Gastonia Wife: Laurie Melton Family: Two adult children Originally from: Mount Holly Lived in diocese: Native, convert, entered Church in 1994 Melton

Deacon Francisco Piña Assignment: St. Aloysius Church, Hickory Wife: Viviana Maria Piña Family: Three children, three grandchildren Originally from: Queretaro, Mexico Lived in diocese: Since 1991 Piña

Deacon Herbert Quintanilla Assignment: St. Vincent de Paul Church, Charlotte Wife: Guadalupe Quintanilla Family: Seven children, two grandchildren Originally from: San Vicente, El Salvador Lived in diocese: Since 2008

PHOTOS BY SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

ina, where the Catholic population numbers

nity and peace’

Quintanilla

home parish of St. Matthew in Charlotte. Father Becker served as main celebrant.

“For myself, it was a profound experience to be joined on the altar by my father, the man who first taught me the faith,” Father Becker said. “On a natural level, things seemed to be back in their proper order as my father was preaching to me instead of I to him!”

Deacon Joseph Smith Assignment: St. Thérèse Church, Mooresville Wife: Sue Smith Family: Two children, two grandchildren Originally from: Baltimore, Maryland Lived in diocese: Since 2005

A FAMILY DEDICATED TO SERVING THE LORD

Deacon Thomas Martin, who assisted Bishop Jugis at the diaconate ordination Mass, has been assigned to his home parish of St. Mark. Two of his sons, Luke and Patrick, are in formation for the diocesan priesthood and served at the altar for their father’s ordination.

“It is a great blessing to serve at Holy Mass, be close to the priest as he celebrates the Eucharist, and distribute Holy Communion to the congregation,” Deacon Martin said. “I am thankful for my bride, Heather, and our seven children, who have always supported and encouraged me to follow God’s call to be a deacon.”

Of her husband, Heather Martin said, “I am so proud of Thomas for having the courage to answer God’s call to be a deacon. He is a good and faithful man who has faithfully guided our family in service of our Lord and others. Our family motto is Joshua 24:15b, ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’ We rejoice on this glorious day, and we look forward to serving Our Lord and His people with him.”

“These newly ordained deacons and their wives, called to MINISTERS, SEE PAGE 28

Smith

Deacon Margarito Franco Torres Assignment: Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Monroe Wife: Nancy Morales Family: Five children, three grandchildren Originally from: San Miguel Tlaltetelco Lived in diocese: Since 2001 Franco Torres

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 FROM THE COVER

FOTOS POR SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Izquierda) El Obispo Peter Jugis ora sobre los doce candidatos al diaconado permanente, mientras ellos se postran ante el altar, como parte del rito de ordenación durante la Misa celebrada el 25 de septiembre. (Arriba) El Diácono Eduardo Bernal acepta el Libro de los Evangelios de manos de su obispo durante la Misa de Ordenación para el Diaconado. Tres de los doce hombres a ser ordenados, Eduardo Bernal, Francisco Piña y Carl Brown, de pie ante el Obispo Jugis y la congregación de la Iglesia San Marcos.

(Abajo) El Obispo Peter Jugis sostiene las manos del Diácono Margarito Franco Torres mientras éste le promete obediencia y el seguimiento de las enseñanzas de la Iglesia.

‘Ministros de unidad y paz’ Doce nuevos diáconos permanentes ordenados para la diócesis SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

HUNTERSVILLE — El Obispo Peter Jugis ordenó a doce hombres como diáconos permanentes para la Diócesis de Charlotte durante una misa de dos horas de duración celebrada el 25 de septiembre en la iglesia San Marcos.

Los nuevos diáconos son Joseph Becker, Eduardo Bernal, Carl Brown, Charles Hindbaugh, Todd Labonte, John Langlois, Thomas Martin, William Melton Jr., Francisco Piña, Herbert Quintanilla, Joe Smith y Margarito Franco Torres.

Con esta promoción de diáconos, la diócesis ahora tiene 146 diáconos permanentes, la mayor cantidad en su historia, que prestan servicios en el oeste de Carolina del Norte, donde la población católica asciende a más de 500.000 fieles.

Durante el rito de ordenación, los hombres se arrodillaron uno a uno ante el Obispo Jugis por tres ocasiones. Primero, el obispo unió sus manos mientras se comprometían a servirle a él y a la Iglesia.

En segundo lugar, el obispo les impuso las manos sobre la cabeza invocando al

Espíritu Santo. Y por último, recibieron el Libro de los Evangelios para simbolizar su ministerio de prédica y enseñanza.

Los diáconos recién ordenados ahora podrán asistir en el altar durante la Misa, proclamar el Evangelio en la Misa, dar homilías, administrar el sacramento del bautismo y oficiar bodas. Los diáconos permanentes sirven en parroquias así como en áreas pastorales especializadas como el Ministerio Hispano, RICA, la capellanía del aeropuerto y el ministerio carcelario.

PADRE SE UNE A SU HIJO EN EL SERVICIO

El Diácono Joseph Becker sigue los pasos de su hijo, el Padre Brian Becker, pastor de la Iglesia Santa Margarita María en Swannanoa, al servicio de la Iglesia.

“El hijo que vestí de niño es ahora mi padre espiritual como sacerdote. Para él, ataviarme con las vestimentas del diaconado fue una gran bendición”, dijo el Diácono Becker.

“Ha sido una gran alegría ver el progreso de mi padre hacia el diaconado durante los últimos años”, dijo el Padre Becker. “A lo largo del proceso, hemos tenido grandes conversaciones mientras él continuaba formándose en la tradición intelectual de la Iglesia”.

“Muchos se han beneficiado de su enseñanza y trabajo, incluso durante su formación, que estoy emocionado de ver el impacto de la gracia de Dios cuando mi padre ahora se embarca en el ministerio diaconal que ha recibido”, añadió el Padre Becker.

El Diácono Becker predicó su primera

Misa el 26 de septiembre en su parroquia de San Mateo en Charlotte. El Padre Becker sirvió como celebrante principal.

“Para mí, fue una experiencia profunda estar unido en el altar con mi padre, el hombre que me enseñó la fe por primera vez”, dijo el Padre Becker. “En un nivel natural, las cosas parecían volver a estar en su orden debido ya que mi padre me estaba predicando a mí en lugar de que yo a él”.

El Diácono Thomas Martin, quien asistió al Obispo Jugis en la Misa de ordenación diaconal, ha sido asignado a su parroquia natal San Marcos. Dos de sus hijos, Luke y Patrick, están en formación para el sacerdocio diocesano y sirvieron en el altar para la ordenación diaconal de su padre.

“Es una gran bendición servir en la Santa Misa, estar cerca del sacerdote mientras celebra la Eucaristía y distribuir la Sagrada Comunión a la congregación”, dijo el Diácono Martin. “Estoy agradecido a mi esposa, Heather, y nuestros siete hijos,

quienes siempre me han apoyado y animado a seguir el llamado de Dios a ser diácono”.

De su esposo, Heather Martin dice: “Estoy muy orgullosa de Thomas por tener el coraje de responder al llamado de Dios de ser diácono. Es un hombre bueno y fiel que ha guiado a nuestra familia en el servicio a nuestro Señor y los demás. El lema de nuestra familia es Josué 24: 15b, ‘En cuanto a mí y mi casa, serviremos al Señor’.

Nos regocijamos en este día glorioso y esperamos servir a Nuestro Señor y a su pueblo con Él”.

“Estos diáconos recién ordenados y sus esposas, llamados a viajar con ellos, son hombres y mujeres de gran fe”, dijo el Diácono John Martino, director del diaconado permanente durante los últimos cinco años.

“Durante estos años de discernimiento y formación, han soportado tiempos difíciles, disfrutado de buenos momentos y crecido en su fe. Como esposo y esposa, dan testimonio de la fuerza de Dios y la importancia de la Iglesia dentro de sus familias y en sus relaciones con los demás.

La Diócesis de Charlotte será bendecida en los años venideros con el ministerio que Dios ha planeado para ellos”, agregó el Diácono Martino.

“DIOS LES DÉ UN GRAN CELO POR TODOS”

En sus palabras de cierre, el Obispo Jugis agradeció y reconoció especialmente a las esposas, familias, familias parroquiales y pastores de los nuevos diáconos por su apoyo, y a todos los que han orado por los MINISTROS, PASA A LA PÁGINA 28

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

Conoce a tus nuevos diáconos hispanos MARGARITO FRANCO TORRES

Nacido en San Miguel Tlaltetelco, Estado de Morelos, México, en una familia católica. Sus padres, Alicia Torres Hernandez y Ricardo Franco Galicia, quien descansa al lado del Señor, inculcaron a sus cuatro hijos el asistir a Misa y observar los sacramentos. “Siempre le he dicho a mi mamá, que el mejor regalo que pudieron haberme dado como padres fue el haberme bautizado catolico”, afirma.

En marzo de 2001 se trasladó a Estados Unidos en la búsqueda de un mejor futuro. En Monroe, Carolina del Norte, conoció a la que luego sería su esposa, Nancy Morales, con quien tiene cinco hijos que ya le han dado 3 nietos.

Después de asistir al grupo carismático ‘Misericordia Divina’ en Monroe, decidió acercarse más a Dios y recibió el llamado al diaconado. Su aceptación como candidato fue uno de los momentos Franco Torres más felices que experimentó, “porque decía que cómo Dios, en su infinita misericordia y amor, siendo Él tan perfecto, ponía su mirada en un pecador como yo para predicar su Evangelio”.

El Diácono Margarito Franco Torres servirá en la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes en Monroe.

EDUARDO BERNAL

Salvadoreño, nacido en la ciudad capital, San Salvador, el 25 de diciembre de 1968.

Sus padres, Carmen Montes y Francisco Bernal Cruz, así como su hermana, Gloria Marina Rivas Montes, disfrutan ya de la paz del Señor.

En 1990, huyendo de la guerra civil desatada en El Salvador, se instala en Estados Unidos. Según él mismo refiere, en 1992 asume su fe católica, “antes de 1992 mi vida de fe era superficial y sin compromiso. Desde 1992 comenzó un proceso que todavía continúa dando frutos de misericordia”.

Casado con Brenda P. Arroyo por 11 años, el Diácono Bernal tiene una hija, Mónica I. Bernal-Arroyo, de 8 años.

En 2018 fue aceptada su solicitud al programa de formación para el Diaconado permanente de la Diócesis de Charlotte, lo que representó para él una gran alegría “y la oportunidad de poder Bernal discernir si este llamado que sentía al diaconado permanente era realmente lo que Dios pide de mí”.

La formación académica, reconoce, fue un reto para alguien que no tuvo una experiencia universitaria. El Diácono Bernal espera “servir como ministro ordenado al pueblo de Dios en lo que se me pida desde mi parroquia y diócesis” y ha sido designado por el Obispo Jugis a servir en la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte.

HERBERT QUINTANILLA

Nacido en San Vicente, El Salvador, en julio de 1971, está casado desde 2004 con Guadalupe Quintanilla, con quien tiene siete hijos: Luis (29), Alejandro (27), Gabriela (25), Tiffany (22), Sofia (15), Mateo (12) y Andrés de 10 años.

Arribó a Estados Unidos en 1981, siendo aún niño, en compañía de sus padres.

Respecto a su llamado al servicio, afirma que durante una Misa sintió el deseo de servir a Dios. “A los pocos días, uno de los diáconos de la parroquia me preguntó si no había pensado en el diaconado. Le contesté que sí y me guió en cuanto al primer punto de contacto para iniciar mi proceso”.

Recibió la aceptación como candidato al diaconado a través de un correo electrónico que recibió el día de su cumpleaños. “Representó una alegría muy grande. Fue uno de los pasos más importantes y de Quintanilla mucha esperanza, pues el ser aceptado solo es el inicio de este largo proceso y camino que no siempre termina en la ordenación”.

Las clases y estudios, la nueva rutina de estudios y coordinar el tiempo de estudio, clases, trabajo y familia, fue el reto que tuvo que afrontar en su camino al diaconado.

Ya ordenado, el Diácono Quintanilla afirma que se encuentra deseoso de “servir en mi parroquia, ponerme a la orden de cualquiera de las necesidades que pueda cubrir de acuerdo a lo que mi párroco me asigne”.

El Diácono Quintanilla servirá en la parroquia San Vicente de Paúl en Charlotte.

FRANCISCO PIÑA

Originario de Querétaro, México, nació el 27 de marzo de 1971, en la familia de Galdina Luna Castro y Francisco Piña Herrera, formada por diez hijos, cuatro mujeres y seis varones. En agosto de 1991, con 20 años de edad, emigra a Estados Unidos buscando una mejor oportunidad de vida.

En diciembre de 2004 contrajo matrimonio civil con su esposa, Viviana María Piña, con la que tiene tres hijos: Lilia Oriana Piña, de 25 años; Leila Denise Piña, de 21; y José Manuel Ramírez, de 22.

En diciembre de 2009, después de recibir el sacramento del matrimonio, se reintegró a la vida plenamente católica.

“Siempre pensé que yo debía ser la cabeza de mi hogar, como Cristo es para la Iglesia, y que tenía que dar el ejemplo a mis hijos y a mi esposa”. Ser recibido como candidato al diaconado representó para él una oportunidad más para seguir conociendo a Dios.

Piña En la etapa de formación, lo más difícil cree fue la preparación de los ensayos y la exposición de las homilías en inglés. “Tal vez la barrera que los hispanos tenemos con el idioma nos hace trabajar un poco más en estas materias”, anotó. Ya ordenado, piensa trabajar fuertemente con la comunidad. “Dentro de la Iglesia, los ministerios con los que me gusta trabajar son PreCana y matrimonios”.

El Diácono Piña ha sido designado por el Obispo Jugis a servir en la parroquia San Luis Gonzaga en Hickory.

FROM THE COVERI

17

Permanent diaconate sees changes in leadership SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis has made new appointments in the Diocese of Charlotte’s permanent diaconate program, a leadership change that occurs regularly every few years. He also established an advisory board to ensure continuity in the permanent diaconate program.

As of Oct. 4, Deacon John Kopfle takes over as director of the program, succeeding Deacon John Martino.

During Deacon Martino’s five-year tenure, 27 permanent deacons were ordained for the diocese.

“I am humbled and blessed to be a part of the deacon community and to have played a small role with others in the formation, ministry and life of the diaconate for the Diocese of Charlotte,” Deacon Martino said.

Deacon Kopfle, who with his wife Nancy has served at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte for the past 33 years, brings to the directorship 15 years of diaconal ministry and nine years of leadership as its Charlotte regional coordinator.

He points out that the documents of the Second Vatican Council and the U.S. Bishops’ National Directory describe beautifully the mission of deacons: Deacons are to be “a driving force for the Church’s service toward the Christian communities … and as a sign of Christ Himself.” And also, “The deacon’s ministry of service is linked with the missionary dimension of the Church … ministry of word, ministry of liturgy and works of charity, which are carried into daily life.”

“The permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Charlotte is growing to fulfill this role,” Deacon Kopfle said. “With the ordination of 12 men on Sept. 25, we are blessed to now have 146 deacons, the largest number ever.

Our community of deacon wives continues to grow as well, and we thank them for the very important role they play in our ministry.”

“In carrying out our diaconal calling, we are tasked to respond to the needs of this place and time,” he said. “The Diocese of Charlotte continues to grow, comprising over 500,000 Catholics and nearly 100 parishes and missions throughout western North Carolina.

This growth provides great opportunities as well as challenges, such as how to minister to those affected by economic, social and health issues, and to our expanding ethnic and cultural communities.”

Deacon Bill Schreiber will assume the role of formation director for the permanent diaconate, succeeding Deacon Ed Konarski.

“I am humbled and blessed to be chosen

to follow in the footsteps of my deacon predecessors who have established an exceptional formation program in our diocese,” Deacon Schreiber said. “Our program has successfully guided the formation of deacons in the diocese for decades. We have accomplished this by inspiring holy men to be humble servants in our churches throughout the diocese with a focus on the development of the human, pastoral, spiritual and intellectual dimensions essential to the life of a deacon.

He recalled that St. John Paul II stated at a general audience in 1993 that “In the diaconate an effort is made to carry out what Jesus stated about His mission: ‘The Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve – to give His life in ransom for many’” (Mk 10:45; Mt 20:28).

“Today in our diocese and throughout the world, deacons are actively supporting Our Lord’s mission as St. John Paul II said.

These words are ingrained in my mind, and they will guide my efforts serving as the director of deacon formation. With the help of the Holy Spirit and our formation team, I look forward to the opportunity to serve in this capacity and guide the future growth and development of our program within the Diocese of Charlotte.”

Deacon David Faunce has been appointed assistant director of deacons. He served as program’s Hickory regional coordinator for the past two years. Deacon James Trombley is stepping into the role of Hickory regional coordinator.

“My assignment as the new assistant director of formation is certainly a testament to the fact that Our Lord calls us at times and to places that we may not always anticipate or envision ourselves,” Deacon Faunce said. “I continue to ask for the prayers of all of our brothers and sisters as Deacons Schreiber, Kopfle and I work to fulfill our roles in the diaconal formation ministry. I’m comforted and honored that I’ll be serving alongside a cohort of experienced, dedicated deacons from whom I’m certain to glean important direction and insight, knowing that God’s grace will always guide us in our work within His vineyard.”

As of Oct. 4, the deacon advisory board will consist of Deacons Scott Gilfillan, Ed Konarski and John Martino.

“The greater days of service are ahead of all of us,” Deacon Martino noted. “I am grateful for those who will lead the diaconate in the years to come and for the deacons, wives, widows and families within our deacon community who put others before themselves. May God bless our bishop, the faithful of our diocese and the Church we all love.”

Interested in the permanent diaconate?

Catholic men who are active in their parish, who bring a certain experience of the spiritual life including apostolic zeal and a desire to increase their faith through obedience and fraternal communion, and who are at least 32 years old, married or unmarried, can inquire into becoming a permanent deacon in the diocese.

Preparation for the permanent diaconate takes several years to complete.

Only those men who appear to have a genuine call to formation as a deacon will be invited by the Formation Team to complete application for admission to the next formation class.

The norms required for application to the formation program can be found on the Diocese of Charlotte’s website at www.charlottediocese.org/permanent-diaconate/permanent-diaconate (click on “Application Norms”).

If you are interested in serving as a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Charlotte, contact Deacon John Kopfle, director of the permanent diaconate, at John.Kopfle@rcdoc.org or call 704-370-3344.

Your DSA contributions at work The diocese’s Permanent Diaconate Ministry is funded in part by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how to donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.

FACEBOOK.COM/ CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD ESPAÑOL

catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 18

Jorge Caldas

En el mes morado

O

ctubre siempre fue un mes muy especial para mi. Recuerdo que desde niño esperaba con ansias que llegara este mes para asistir con mis padres a la procesión del Señor de los Milagros.

Tengo en mi memoria el olor del incienso, la fragancia de las velas encendidas y el sabor del turrón de doña pepa, un dulce tradicional que solía ofrecerse en Lima únicamente durante la fiesta del Cristo Morado.

Mi mamá me vestía con el tradicional hábito color morado que nos identifica a los seguidores de esta devoción, me colocaba en el pecho un ‘detente’, pequeña estampa con la sagrada imagen del Señor cosida a un trozo rígido de paño, y colgaba en mi pecho un cordón blanco.

Al inicio me llamaba la atención el colorido, la cantidad de gente que, como un mar humano, se afanaba por estar cerca a las andas que llevaban la imagen de un Cristo Moreno, como yo, muy diferente a las que veía en los templos.

Tengo fresco en la mente los rostros de las personas que podía ver al descansar en en los brazos de mi madre o el hombro de mi padre, cuando ya exhausto, al sentir que no podía caminar más, les pedía que me cargaran.

La fe, la comprensión del significado y el mensaje de “mi negrito”, como llamo al Señor de los Milagros, llegaría después, conforme iba madurando y siendo testigo de la fe que tenían mis padres, familia, tíos, abuela y abuelo.

Es así que a los 16 años ingresé a la Hermandad del Señor de los Milagros, a la Cuadrilla 16, la llamada ‘Cuadrilla de emergencia’, que asiste con primeros auxilios a los fieles que sufren algún desmayo por acudir a la procesión en ayunas. Por muchos años, gracias a Dios, la Cuadrilla 16 me dio ejemplo de fe, honestidad, servicio y amor al prójimo.

Asistir año tras año a las procesiones, me hizo testigo de muchos milagros y de la fe inquebrantable del pueblo peruano.

Al igual que con muchísimos fieles, el Señor ha sido generoso conmigo. Me aferré a Él en los momentos más duros y puedo decir que hasta el día de hoy nunca me ha soltado de su mano.

Desde 2013, contamos con la presencia de la Hermandad South Charlotte en la ciudad y tengo el gran honor de ser presidente de la hermandad, como se llama aquí, o capataz, como tradicionalmente lo llamamos en Lima.

Los miembros de la hermandad tratamos de dar todo de nosotros mismos para poder rendir homenaje a nuestro Señor en agradecimiento a todas las gracias que nos ha regalado, sigue entregando y dará en el futuro. Este es un trabajo de todo el año, ya que la imagen ha sido acogida por la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte y recibe la visita de los fieles todos los días.

Quiero invitarlos a que visiten la imagen y la acompañen por unos minutos. Solo hay que contemplar el rostro del Cristo Moreno, contarle nuestras alegrías y tristezas y entregarse a Él.

Estoy seguro que no los defraudará.

JORGE CALDAS es presidente de la Hermandad de Cargadores y Sahumadoras del Señor de los Milagros South Charlotte.

Los devotos del Señor de los Milagros en Charlotte tendrán una doble oportunidad de rendirle culto y acompañarlo en procesión. El 10 de octubre a las 2 p.m. se ofrecerá Misa y procesión en la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, mientras que el mismo programa se ofrecerá en la Iglesia San Marcos el 28 de octubre a las 7 p.m.

FOTO CORTESÍA ARQUIDIÓCESIS DE LIMA

Misa y procesión por el Señor de los Milagros CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — Después de haber suspendido por completo sus actividades en 2020 debido a las restricciones de reunión y sanitarias dictadas por las autoridades debido a la presencia de la pandemia de COVID-19, la hermandad South Charlotte del Señor de los Milagros anunció que este domingo 10 de octubre reanudará sus tradicionales actividades en la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.

Jorge Luis Caldas, mayordomo de la hermandad, dijo que ese día, a las 2 de la tarde, se celebrará una Misa solemne seguida por una procesión que hará un breve recorrido por los terrenos de la parroquia.

“El año pasado no pudimos llevar a cabo la procesión, pero este año ya tenemos el visto bueno para reunirnos en la Misa y, siguiendo los protocolos sanitarios, poder luego llevar en nuestros hombros la sagrada imagen de nuestro patrono”, aseguró, recalcando que serán muy estrictos en exigir que los asistentes usen una mascarilla facial y observen el distanciamiento social.

“Estamos felices de volver a celebrar nuestra tradicional procesión, una verdadera expresión popular de nuestra fe en el Perú”, dijo Caldas.

Por otro lado, la Primera Hermandad de Cargadores y Sahumadoras de Charlotte, gracias a la acogida que le brinda la parroquia San Marcos, celebrará una Misa en la iglesia localizada en Huntersville el jueves 28 de octubre a las 7 de la noche. “Tras la Misa, terminaremos con una pequeña procesión”, dijo Rosa Jiménez, quien tiene a cargo la coordinación del ministerio hispano en esa parroquia.

DEVOCIÓN

El 13 de noviembre de 1655 un terrible terremoto estremeció Lima, dejando miles de víctimas mortales y damnificados. En Pachacamilla, un barrio de esclavos angoleños, la imagen de un Cristo moreno quedó intacta.

La fiesta religiosa tuvo su inicio en 1687 cuando, en una procesión de rogativas, el mayordomo de la capilla del Santo Cristo, Don Sebastián de Antuñano, sacó una copia en óleo de la pintura original del Cristo por las calles de la ciudad de Lima, semidestruida por un terremoto de quince minutos de duración, pidiendo el cese del cataclismo.

En 1746, Lima padeció el terremoto más destructor de su historia y, según se refiere, una réplica de la imagen salió en procesión y la tierra dejó de temblar, lo que acrecentó la devoción del pueblo. Posteriormente se construyó la Iglesia de las Nazarenas, que hoy es el santuario donde se le rinde culto.

Nombrado en 1715 ‘Patrón Jurado de la Ciudad de Lima’ y desde 2005 designado por la Santa Sede como ‘Patrón de los Peruanos Residentes e Inmigrantes’, el Señor de los Milagros es también ‘Patrón del Perú’ desde 2010.

La devoción, gracias al trabajo de las hermandades y de los peruanos residentes en el extranjero, se ha extendido a muchos países del mundo, tales como Japón, Estados Unidos, Australia, Estados Unidos, Italia, Canadá, Alemania, Suiza, Egipto y muchos más.

OCTUBRE EN LIMA

Este es un año muy especial en la historia de la devoción del Señor de los Milagros, ya que 14 de septiembre se celebró el 350 aniversario de la realización de la primera Misa ofrecida ante el milagroso muro en el que se plasmó la imagen del Cristo Moreno y que hoy se encuentra en el altar mayor de la Iglesia de las Nazarenas en Lima.

En conferencia de prensa, Monseñor Carlos Castillo, Arzobispo de Lima, dijo que el punto esencial de las fiestas en 2021 es “persistir con hondura en una tradición de nuestro pueblo que renueva nuestra relación directa y elemental de la vida cristiana con el misterio de la cruz”.

Las celebraciones en honor del Señor de los Milagros se realizarán en la Iglesia del Monasterio de las Nazarenas.

La imagen no saldrá en recorridos procesionales sino que será expuesta del 10 al 31 de octubre, pudiendo ser visitada por los fieles, “siempre cumpliendo las medidas de distanciamiento social y bioseguridad pertinentes”.

El arzobispo de Lima invitó a la comunidad mundial a unirse a las festividades de este año bajo el lema ‘Con el Señor, salgamos en misión’, para “cargar al Señor de los Milagros en nuestros corazones”.

Más online En www.facebook.com/CanalHNazarenas: Todas las actividades serán emitidas ‘en vivo’

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

19

Designan asistente administrativa para Ministerio Hispano Hermana Juana Pearson se instala en Centro Pastoral CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — Con la finalidad de asistir al Padre Julio Domínguez en sus labores administrativas como director del ministerio hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte, nuestra muy conocida y querida hermana Juana Pearson ha dejado sus labores como coordinadora en el vicariato de Salisbury y ha sido designada como asistente administrativa en el Centro Pastoral.

“El Padre Julio tiene muchos quehaceres, otros roles en la diócesis, es parte de muchos consejos, grupos, tiene muchas responsabilidades encargadas por nuestro obispo. También nuestros coordinadores trabajan incansablemente en sus vicariatos, poniendo todo su corazón, sin cesar, para servir a su gente” y por eso, “estoy aquí para ayudarlos en su trabajo”.

Sister Juana confiesa que aún se le hace difícil la adaptación de su pasado trabajo pastoral a esta nueva labor administrativa.

“Extraño de todo corazón a mi gente.

Hablar, hacer reuniones, estar en presencia de personas. Incluso estoy pensando en pasar por la casa de una feligresa solamente para decir ‘hola, ¿cómo están?, ¿puedo comer con ustedes hoy?’, y todo porque extraño mucho estar en compañía de mi gente”.

Sin embargo, reconoce que se trata de una etapa de transición, “y voy a saber cuando me sienta mejor en mi nueva labor porque voy a pensar cada vez menos en eso”.

Respecto a su nuevo trabajo, asegura que le gusta saber que tiene la posibilidad de ayudar. “Muchas veces, como equipo de coordinadores, sabemos que somos empleados diocesanos pero no tenemos sentido de pertenencia al Centro Pastoral, al corazón de la diócesis. Casi nunca estamos aquí, no porque no queramos sino porque estamos en nuestra misión, con la gente maravillosa que estamos sirviendo”.

La posibilidad de ser un ancla, un puente, “alguien que diariamente pueda facilitar el trabajo de nuestros coordinadores en sus vicariatos”, la anima sobremanera.

“Soy esclava de todos mis compañeros”, dijo riendo.

“En ocasiones uno se puede sentir desanimado en su tarea. Creo que es bueno si se tiene una persona que puede escuchar, ver, tomar la ‘temperatura’ de la situación y ofrecer su ayuda. Mi lema en este nuevo servicio, para nuestro equipo, para mis colegas, es ¿Cómo puedo ayudar?. Porque nosotros se lo decimos a nuestra gente, pero, ¿quién nos lo dice a nosotros?”.

SERVIDORA INCANSABLE

Nacida en el seno de una familia católica en Nueva York, su padre fue oficial del ejército norteamericano, por lo que creció

en los estados de Texas, Alabama, y “terminé en Carolina del Norte”.

A los 17 años, después de graduarse de la escuela secundaria Bishop McGuiness en Winston Salem, tomó la decisión de consagrarse a Dios.

Era maestra voluntaria de clases de catecismo para una orden de monjas en lugares pobres de High Point, Carolina del Norte, “cuando escuché el llamado silencioso de esta gente de gran corazón que no tenía donde ir por ayuda que solo donde estas generosas monjas”. “Esto es lo que quiero hacer toda mi vida”, pensó entonces.

Sin mucho conocimiento sobre el proceso, pero determinada a dedicar su vida al servicio de los demás, se presentó ante la directora de su escuela y le comentó su deseo de convertirse en monja, siendo orientada entonces hacia la congregación de las Hermanas de San José de Filadelfia, donde tomó los exámenes, fue aceptada y se sintió ‘como pez en el agua’, debido al carisma de la orden que es la hospitalidad y bienvenida amorosa al prójimo.

La hermana Juana no tuvo dificultad en su adaptación a la vida religiosa.

Confiesa que extrañaba a su familia, pero “pero nos escribíamos cartas”, una costumbre que hoy se ha dejado de lado con el uso de mensajería instantánea, fotos digitales y correos electrónicos enviados por dispositivos móviles como teléfonos celulares.

Esas cartas, nos cuenta, las vuelve a leer hasta el día de hoy cuando pasa por momentos difíciles. “Mi mamá siempre me dio palabras de ánimo”, afirma.

Después de pasar, por orden de su congregación, por experiencias de vida en comunidad y diferentes culturas por cuatro años en Pensilvania y dos en Carolina del Norte, tomó sus votos finales de pobreza, castidad y obediencia en 1978.

En 1994, el Padre Jim Solari, pastor de la Iglesia San Leo en Winston Salem, vio el explosivo crecimiento de la comunidad hispana en el Triad, supuso que muchos de ellos serían católicos bautizados, y escribió una carta a la congregación de las Hermanas de San José solicitando ayuda.

Tras la respuesta positiva de la congregación, la hermana Juana se instaló en la parroquia para iniciar su trabajo con el floreciente ministerio hispano.

En 2001, la hermana Andrea Inkrott, por entonces directora del Ministerio Hispano, la nombró coordinadora del Vicariato de Hickory. Posteriormente serviría en Salisbury, la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Merced en Winston Salem y, en 2014, bajo solicitud del recientemente ordenado Padre Julio Domínguez, como formadora de catequistas en la parroquia San Francisco de Asís en Lenoir.

Más adelante, el Padre Fidel Melo, ex director del Ministerio Hispano, la volvería a requerir como coordinadora de vicariato en Salisbury, tomando como sede de trabajo una oficina en la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

La hermana Juana Pearson, de la congregación de las Hermanas de San José en Filadelfia, ha sido designada como asistente administrativa del Padre Julio Domínguez, director del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte. “Mi lema en este nuevo servicio, para nuestro equipo, para mis colegas, es ¿cómo puedo ayudar?”, dijo.

Incansable y valiosa servidora de la comunidad hispana en nuestra diócesis, la hermana Juana no tiene pensado dejar sus obligaciones. “Me he acercado mucho

más a Dios, cuyo rostro veo todos los días, a través de este santo pueblo. Mi corazón le pertenece a la gente y estaré en este trabajo hasta que Dios decida”, sentenció.

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

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

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.

20

catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Revisión independiente afirma que diócesis cumple con protección a menores CHARLOTTE — Por 19 años consecutivos, la Diócesis de Charlotte ha pasado satisfactoriamente una revisión independiente sobre el cumplimiento de los procedimientos de protección infantil ordenados a nivel nacional.

La evaluación anual llevada a cabo por Stonebridge Business Partners de Rochester, NY, supervisa el cumplimiento de las diócesis estadounidenses del ‘Acuerdo para la Protección de Niños y Jóvenes’ de los obispos estadounidenses, que aborda el compromiso de la Iglesia de responder de manera efectiva, apropiada y compasiva a los casos de abuso de menores por parte del clero u otro personal de la Iglesia.

La auditoría para el período de julio de 2020 a junio de 2021 se realizó en agosto.

Se ha encontrado que la diócesis cumple con las disposiciones del compromiso cada año desde que comenzaron las auditorías en 2003.

La revisión externa verifica el cumplimiento de los requisitos de llevar a cabo los reportes que indica el acuerdo, incluyendo los esfuerzos de la diócesis para garantizar la protección de los niños a través de verificaciones de antecedentes penales y programas educativos de concientización sobre el reconocimiento y la prevención del abuso.

En el año fiscal que se extendió desde el 1 de julio de 2020 hasta el 30 de junio de 2021, la diócesis realizó

3.786 verificaciones de antecedentes, que se requieren de forma continua para todos los clérigos, empleados y voluntarios diocesanos. Desde 2002, se han realizado más de 75,400 verificaciones de antecedentes. Este número incluye la comprobación de antecedentes a voluntarios y empleados activos cada cinco años.

La pandemia de COVID-19 redujo la necesidad de asistencia voluntaria a las parroquias y escuelas durante el año fiscal pasado, por lo que se llevaron a cabo menos clases de capacitación en persona sobre ‘Protección de los niños de Dios’. Un total de 2.190 adultos en la diócesis recibieron capacitación, por debajo del número habitual de 4.000 participantes.

Más de 59.000 adultos en la diócesis han recibido capacitación en este programa de concientización sobre la prevención del abuso desde que inició en 2002.

‘Protegiendo a los niños de Dios’ ayuda a los adultos en su aprendizaje de reconocimiento de las señales de advertencia del abuso y las muchas formas en que el abuso sexual daña a las víctimas, familias, parroquias y comunidades. El programa los educa en formas apropiadas de respuesta hacia comportamientos sospechosos y cómo pueden ayudar a prevenir el abuso.

Este programa de capacitación se actualizó recientemente con nuevos videos y temas de discusión.

— Catholic News Herald

Retorna el programa ‘Familia Adelante’ CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — Ricardo Torres, especialista en reclutamiento de Cardinal Innovations para la Región del Triad, anunció que el programa ‘Familia Adelante’, que inició actividades en Charlotte en enero del presente año, ofrecerá nuevamente estas sesiones gratuitas destinadas a asistir a las familias latinas en sus diferentes necesidades en la relación con sus hijos.

Gracias al patrocinio del Centro de servicios de prevención, Alianza, el programa de Asistencia al Estudiante de CMS (Sistema escolar de CharlotteMecklenburg, por sus siglas en inglés), y la organización ‘Familia Adelante’, el programa estará disponible a partir del 18 de octubre.

Torres explicó que ‘Familia Adelante’ es un programa gratuito para padres de familia e hijos entre 11 a 14 años de edad, donde recibirán materiales educativos interactivos sobre cómo disminuir los niveles de estrés familiar, el establecimiento de hábitos saludables, desarrollo de habilidades para la vida, el desempeño en la escuela y otros temas relevantes para la familia latina.

“Los padres y sus hijos se reunirán semanalmente en sesiones separadas y en su propio idioma, en el que se sienten más cómodos, para brindar apoyo personalizado a ambos grupos”.

Debido a las medidas sanitarias y de prevención de contagio del COVID-19, todas las sesiones serán virtuales para proteger a las familias participantes.

RIESGO DESPROPORCIONADO

Según información publicada por la

organización ‘Familia Adelante’, se espera que para el año 2050 la población latina en Estados Unidos alcance una participación del 25 por ciento, y los jóvenes de este grupo poblacional tienen un riesgo desproporcionado de salud conductual negativa, tal como el uso de sustancias, lo que los coloca en un mayor riesgo de contraer el virus de VIH, de la hepatitis C e infecciones de transmisión sexual.

Con este conocimiento, los investigadores han desarrollado una intervención de salud conductual que se enfoca en factores de riesgo basados en la cultura dentro de la comunidad latina.

El programa aborda el impacto del estrés social y familiar, particularmente el estrés provocado en los jóvenes y las familias por el proceso de recepción de otra cultura y de adaptación a ella, en especial con pérdida de la cultura propia.

COMPROMISO SERIO

Torres indicó que el programa se encuentra disponible únicamente para familias latinas residentes en Carolina del Norte. Es indispensable que los participantes se comprometan a asistir a las ocho sesiones de capacitación.

Las sesiones de padres, desarrolladas íntegramente en español, se realizarán, iniciando el 20 de octubre, los miércoles de 6 a 7 de la tarde.

Por su parte, las sesiones en idioma inglés para jóvenes serán los lunes de 6 a 7 p.m., a partir del 18 de octubre.

Para mayores informes e inscripciones contacte al Sr. Ríos: rios@preventionservices.org. Puede registrarse en el enlace https://forms.gle/ hNMZd73EjC648Zt8. Las inscripciones son limitadas y se cierran indefectiblemente el 13 de octubre.

FOTO CORTESÍA ANTONIO GARCÍA

Primer Cursillo de Cursillos diocesano TABLE ROCK — El primer Cursillo de Cursillos en español que ha celebrado la Diócesis de Charlotte tuvo lugar del 9 al 12 de septiembre en el Centro de Retiros de Table Rock, Carolina del Sur. Dirigido por integrantes de la Región 7 del Movimiento Nacional Cursillista, que cubre los estados de Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Carolina del Norte, Carolina del Sur y Mississippi, fue un gran logro para el Movimiento de Cursillo a nivel diocesano ya que pudieron participar integrantes de varias áreas de nuestra diócesis.

Antonio García, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Asheville, explica que el Cursillo de Cursillos, desarrollado por Eduardo Bonnín, es un estudio sobre el Carisma Fundacional de Cursillo para Cursillistas que están buscando algo más allá del fin de semana del Cursillo. “La finalidad es de ayudar a estos cursillistas a tener un conocimiento más profundo sobre el Carisma Fundacional del Cursillo de Cristiandad”.

“El Cursillo de Cursillos ofrece un tesoro de conocimientos y una experiencia viva de lo que es esencial en la mentalidad, finalidad y metodología del Movimiento de Cursillos. El curso es ofrecido a los Cursillistas que tienen el deseo de ser efectivos dirigentes cristianos. Ha facilitado a muchos cursillistas la oportunidad de descubrir las inmensas posibilidades que Cursillo ofrece a la persona y a la iglesia”, añadió.

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

21

San Lucas, el evangelista de la misericordia de Dios Cada 18 de octubre, la Iglesia celebra la fiesta de San Lucas Evangelista. Lucas significa “luminoso, iluminado”, es un nombre que viene del latín “luce”, que se traduce al español como “luz”.

San Lucas escribió dos libros muy famosos: el tercer Evangelio y Los Hechos de los apóstoles. Es un escritor muy agradable, y el que tiene, para muchos estudiosos, el estilo más hermoso en el Nuevo Testamento.

Según el testimonio de San Eusebio, Tertuliano y San Ireneo, Lucas es de origen pagano, es decir que no era judío. Algunos escritos de los primeros siglos, narran que Lucas era sirio de Antioquía, aunque otros creen que era griego. Lo real es que es el único escritor del Nuevo Testamento que no es israelita.

Se sabe que fue un médico discípulo de los apóstoles. San Pablo lo llama “Lucas, el médico muy amado”, y probablemente cuidaba de la quebrantada salud del gran apóstol.

Era compañero de viajes de San Pablo.

En los Hechos de los Apóstoles, al narrar los grandes viajes del Apóstol, habla en plural diciendo “fuimos a... navegamos a...”

Y va narrando con todo detalle los sucesos tan impresionantes que le sucedieron a San Pablo en sus cuatro famosos viajes. Lucas acompañó a San Pablo cuando éste estuvo prisionero, primero dos años en Cesarea y después otros dos en Roma.

El poeta Dante le dio a San Lucas este apelativo: “el que describe la amabilidad de Cristo”. Y con razón el Cardenal Mercier, cuando un alumno le dijo: “Por favor aconséjeme cuál es el mejor libro que se ha escrito acerca de Jesucristo”, le respondió: “El mejor libro que se ha escrito acerca de Jesucristo se llama: El Evangelio de San Lucas”. Un autor llamó a este escrito: “El libro más encantador del mundo”.

Como era médico era muy comprensivo.

Dicen que un teórico de oficina ve a las personas mejor de lo que son, un sociólogo las ve peor de lo que son en realidad, pero el médico ve a cada uno tal cual es. San Lucas veía a las personas tal cual son,

mitad debilidad y mitad buena voluntad, y las amaba y las comprendía.

En su evangelio demuestra una gran estima por la mujer. Todas las mujeres que allí aparecen son amables y Jesús siempre les demuestra gran aprecio y verdadera comprensión.

Su evangelio es el más fácil de leer de todos los cuatro. Son 1,200 renglones escritos en excelente estilo literario.

Muchos estudiosos se refieren al Evangelio de Lucas como al ‘Evangelio de la misericordia’, dado que Lucas como transmite a un Jesús muy cercano a los pecadores, enfermos, pobres y necesitados.

Su obra refleja a Jesús como el Hijo de Dios que vino a salvar lo que estaba perdido También se ha llamado: “el Evangelio de la oración”, porque presenta a Jesús orando en todos los grandes momentos de su vida e insistiendo continuamente en la necesidad de orar siempre y de no cansarse de orar.

Otro nombre que le han dado a su escrito es el “evangelio de los pecadores”, porque presenta siempre a Jesús infinitamente comprensivo con los que han sido víctimas de las pasiones humanas. San Lucas quiere insistir en que el amor de Dios no tiene límites ni rechaza a quien desea arrepentirse y cambiar de vida. Por eso los pecadores leen con tanto agrado y consuelo el evangelio de San Lucas, es que fue escrito pensando en ellos.

Su evangelio es el que narra los hechos de la infancia de Jesús, y en él se han inspirado los más famosos pintores para representar en imágenes tan amables escenas.

Se dice que murió soltero, a la edad de 84 años, después de haber empleado su vida en hacer conocer y amar a Nuestro Señor Jesucristo.

En esta fiesta de San Lucas, pidamos a Dios que transforme nuestro corazón y nos ayude a ser cada vez más cercanos a nuestros hermanos. Especialmente a quienes nos han hecho algún tipo de daño, para que viviendo el perdón, la misericordia, la humildad y el amor, podamos transmitir una imagen más fiel de Cristo.

—Condensado de Aciprensa y Catholic Link

Lecturas Diarias 10-16 OCTUBRE

Domingo: Sabiduría 7:7-11, Hebreos 4:1213, Marcos 10:17-30; Lunes: Romanos 1:1-7, Lucas 11:29-32; Martes: Romanos 1:16-25, Lucas 11:37-41; Miércoles: Romanos 2:1-11, Lucas 11:42-46, Jueves: Romanos 3:21-30, Lucas 11:47-54; Viernes (Santa Teresa de Jesús): Romanos 4:1-8, Lucas 12:1-7; Sábado: Romanos 4:13, 16-18, Lucas 12:8-12

Oración a San Lucas ¡Oh Dios, que sanas las enfermedades de tu pueblo, y que llamaste a Lucas, el médico amado, para que fuese uno de tus evangelistas.

Concédenos que en la saludable doctrina

de tu Palabra transmitida por él, hallen nuestras almas la medicina eficaz para todas tus dolencias.

Por Jesucristo, nuestro Señor.

Amén.

REGISTER NOW! 2021 Benefit Banquet for Room At The Inn

Thursday, October 14, 2021 from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. ~ Registration and Cocktails starting at 5:30 p.m.~ Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons (or join us LIVE online) This year’s theme is Life Gives Second Chances Our keynote speaker will be Star Parker Star Parker is founder and president of Cure, the Center for Urban Renewal and Education. Cure is a non-profit Policy Institute based in Washington DC that fights poverty to restore dignity through messages of faith, freedom and personal responsibility.

The vision of Cure is to preserve, promote and protect the principles of Christianity, the virtues of Capitalism and the rule of law in our Constitution to improve culture, reduce government dependency, and to build race relations.

We hope you will plan to join us to hear her amazing story.

17-23 OCTUBRE

Domingo: Isaías 53:10-11, Hebreos 4:1416, Marcos 10:35-45; Lunes (San Lucas Evangelista): 2 Timoteo 4:9-17, Lucas 10:1-9; Martes (Santos Juan de Brébeuf e Isaac Jogues, presbíteros, y compañeros, mártires): Rom 5:12, 15, 17-19, 20-21, Lucas 12:35-38; Miércoles: Romanos 6:12-18, 13-14, Lucas 12:39-48; Jueves: Romanos 6:19-23, Lucas 12:49-53; Viernes: Romanos 7:18-25, Lucas 12:54-59; Sábado: Romanos 8:1-11, Lucas 13:1-9

24-30 OCTUBRE

Domingo: Jeremías 31:7-9, Hebreos 5:1-6, Marcos 10:46-52; Lunes: Romanos 8:12-17, Lucas 13:10-17; Martes: Romanos 8:18-25, Lucas 13:18-21; Miércoles: Romanos 8:26-30, Lucas 13:22-30; Jueves (Santos Simón y Judas, Apóstoles): Efesios 2:19-22, Lucas 6:12-19; Viernes: Romanos 9:1-5, Lucas 14:16; Sábado: Rom 11:1-2, 11-12, 25-29, Lucas 14:1, 7-11

‘San Lucas Evangelista’, óleo en canva de Francisco Sans Cabot.

Barcelona, 1510 Madrid 1881. Imagen cortesía del Museo del Prado, Madrid.

Come and find out what’s happening at Room At The Inn Hear the stories of some of our past clients ‘La aparición de Cristo crucificado a Santa Teresa de Jesús’, óleo en lienzo de Alonso Cano. Granada, España (1601-1667). Imagen cortesía del Museo del Prado, Madrid.

~ RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED ~

Dinner is complimentary but a donation will be requested Register online at www.RoomInn.org or contact Marianne at mdonadio@roominn.org or 336.391.6299

Our nation 22

catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishops to continue discussion of Eucharist at fall meeting

A Filipino Catholic places a statue of the Holy Child Jesus, Santo Niño de Cebú, at the front of the sanctuary of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., Sept. 18. The Mass celebrated the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines. The other statue depicts St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino martyr and saint.

CAROL ZIMMERMANN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — When the U.S. bishops meet this fall for their annual assembly, they will revisit the discussion they began in mid-June about the Eucharist and will be presented with a drafted document on the “meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the Church.”

But in the time since their virtual spring assembly, the topic of the Eucharist – particularly the debate it raised about denying Communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion – has prompted discussion.

It’s a complicated issue, pointed out Timothy O’Malley, director of education at the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame and author of the recent book “Real Presence: What Does It Mean and Why Does It Matter?”

During a Zoom call on the topic sponsored by Georgetown University this past summer, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., acknowledged the work ahead would be challenging, but as chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, he was prepared to address it.

That committee is charged with drafting the document on the Eucharist that will be presented to the bishops in November.

“The goal of the document is to contribute to the Eucharistic revival,” he said.

During their spring meeting, 75 percent of U.S. bishops approved the drafting of a document, addressed to all Catholic faithful, on Eucharistic coherence.

During long discussions on the document before the vote, several bishops specifically pointed to President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who are Catholic, for not actively seeking to end legal abortion, and they said such politicians should be denied Communion.

The basis for that stems from what the bishops described as Eucharistic coherence, meaning that those who receive Communion, and particularly those in public office, need to be in communion with what the Church teaches and not facilitating or promoting what the Church views as grave moral issues.

Notre Dame’s O’Malley, also academic director of its Center for Liturgy, said he doesn’t think the document will have much to do with Biden and Communion.

As he sees it, the document will be a response to the COVID-19 pandemic – when Catholics were prevented from going to Mass in person – as well as a decrease in Catholics attending Mass overall.

“When we gather for Mass to celebrate the Eucharist, we’re not just celebrating one religious ritual that can be replaced by another,” he said. “This is the source and summit of our faith. It’s the source and summit of our commitment to the world and to each other. And so, departure from that is a major deal. And that’s what the document I think is dealing with. It’s an invitation. It’s a re-invitation to cultivate a Eucharistic imagination.”

CNS | ANDREW BIRAJ, CATHOLIC STANDARD

Filipinos mark 500 years of Christian faith that connects them globally MARK ZIMMERMANN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Filipino Catholics in the Washington area made a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate a 500-year journey of faith that continues.

A Sept. 18 Mass commemorating five centuries of Christianity in the Philippines and the feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino martyr and saint, drew about 450 people. Some of the women wore native silk dresses in pastel colors with delicate stitching, and some men wore traditional barong tagalog, which are embroidered long-sleeved shirts.

The observance began with a procession of about 100 Filipino Catholics who sang hymns and marched around the basilica’s exterior and through its main entrance. Young adults carrying a cross led the procession. Some children and adults carried banners representing different Catholic groups.

Statues of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and of Santo Niño de Cebú, the Holy Child Jesus sacred to Filipinos, were placed in front of the altar.

In accord with coronavirus safety guidelines, some participants wore special red face masks with the theme and logo of the anniversary year, “Gifted to Give,” referring to how Filipino Catholics received the gift of faith 500 years ago and are called to share that gift with the world.

Echoing the theme, Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of Washington, the main celebrant at the Mass, told those gathered during his homily: “You are gifted to go out and give.”

Bishop Dorsonville, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, encouraged people to follow Pope Francis’ call to go out into society and become missionary disciples, bringing Christ to the world, especially to the poor and migrants and refugees.

The liturgical celebration was part of jubilee year events commemorating the first Mass in the Philippines, which was celebrated on Easter, March 31, 1521, by a Spanish priest accompanying the voyage of Ferdinand Magellan.

The explorer died after engaging in a tribal battle there, but the expedition, which began with five ships and 260 men, eventually accomplished the first circumnavigation of the globe.

Eighteen surviving crew members arrived in Spain on one remaining ship loaded with spices in September 1522.

The Christian faith has blossomed in the Philippines in the last five centuries. The Philippines today has the third largest Catholic population in the world, with about 86% of the country’s 110 million inhabitants professing the faith.

More than 10 million Filipino migrants, most of them Catholic, live in 100 countries. About 2.9 million Filipino Catholics live in the U.S. In April 2021, as bishops across the Philippines opened holy doors at cathedrals to help launch the anniversary year, Pope Francis in a video message encouraged Filipino Catholics to “be grateful for the gift of faith” and called them to “reach out to others and bring them the hope and joy of the Gospel.”

Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and former archbishop of Manila, also recorded a video message for the jubilee.

In it, he praised the “hidden simple witnesses to the faith” for five centuries that has contributed to “our character as Filipinos, to the betterment of the Filipino culture and to the formation of the Filipino nation.”

At the Mass, Monsignor Walter Rossi, the basilica’s rector, welcomed the Filipino community, noting that over the years he had witnessed their joy and faith. He noted that St. Lorenzo Ruiz is depicted in the basilica’s dramatic Trinity Dome mosaic, and that its Crypt Church on the lower level includes an oratory to Our Lady of Antipolo that was donated by Filipino Catholics.

Bishop Dorsonville in his homily said the prominence of the basilica’s artwork depicting St. Lorenzo Ruiz reflected the vital role of Filipino Catholics in the U.S. Church. He praised the witness of the saint, who was martyred with missionaries in Japan in 1637 after he refused to renounce his faith. Canonized 300 years later, he is venerated as a patron saint to the Philippines, to youth and altar servers, and for people working overseas.

Bishop Dorsonville also announced that Father Patrick Agustin would be serving as a chaplain for the Filipino Catholic community in the archdiocese.

Ordained in 2020, the young priest who serves as parochial vicar at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Gaithersburg, Md., reflected on the legacy of faith he experienced growing up in a devout Filipino Catholic family in the archdiocese.

“I’m a beneficiary of that, especially my vocation to the priesthood,” he told the Catholic Standard, Washington’s archdiocesan newspaper.

“Generations and generations of my ancestors have passed on the faith. I’m so grateful to my parents, who made sure we attended Mass as a family every Sunday,” he said. “We prayed the rosary together.”

Father Agustin noted that five centuries after Christianity was introduced to the land of his ancestors, deep “faith has continued to thrive, not only in the Philippines, but in all the Filipinos around the world.”

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief New rule allowing Title X funds for abortion called ‘offensive’ WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden administration’s decision to allow Title X family planning funds go to health facilities that perform and promote abortion “is offensive to tens of millions of Americans,” said the president of National Right to Life.

“The vast majority of Americans believe that using taxpayer funds to pay for abortion is wrong,” Carol Tobias said in a statement. Her comments came in a statement released late Oct. 4 in response to the Biden administration’s announcement that it had officially reversed the Trump-era “Protect Life Rule” enforcing Title X’s ban on taxpayer funds from being used to promote or provide elective abortions.

Title X, enacted by the Family Planning Services and Population Research Act of 1970, covers reproductive health care services for low-income patients such as wellness exams, cervical and breast cancer screenings, contraceptives, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Section 1008 of the law states “none of the funds appropriated under this title shall be used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning.”

Archbishop asks Catholics to fast, pray for Pelosi over abortion issue SAN FRANCISCO — Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco is asking “all

Catholics and others of goodwill” to join a prayer and fasting campaign for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic Democrat who supports legal abortion. She represents California’s 12th Congressional District, which is entirely within San Francisco. What has prompted the prayer and fasting campaign is her leadership on the Women’s Health Protection Act, or H.R. 3755, passed by the House in a 218-211 vote Sept. 24. It codifies the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide. The measure establishes the legal right to abortion on demand at any stage of pregnancy in all 50 states under federal law.

“A conversion of heart of the majority of our congressional representatives is needed on this issue, beginning with the leader of the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi,” Archbishop Cordileone said in a statement Sept. 29. “I am therefore inviting all Catholics to join in a massive and visible campaign of prayer and fasting for Speaker Pelosi: Commit to praying one rosary a week and fasting on Fridays for her conversion of heart.”

Pew: Social hostility toward religion down, government hostility stays high WASHINGTON, D.C. — Social hostilities against religious believers and churches dipped in 2019, according to a Pew Research Center report issued Sept. 30. Government hostilities toward religion, though, remained at their highest level since Pew started conducting this research a dozen years ago.

In 2019, 43 countries had either “high” or “very high” levels of social hostilities, down from 53 countries in 2018, and down from a peak of 65 countries in 2012, the report said.

On the government side, 180 countries had at least one instance, at some level, of government harassment against religious groups, compared

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with 175 countries in 2018. But 75 countries had either high or very high levels of restrictions on religion in 2019, down from 80 in 2018.

“We do see more fluctuations over the years with ups and downs,” said Samirah Majumdar, a Pew research associate and the primary researcher for the study. “Social hostilities are based more on incidents, while government hostilities are based on broad politics that don’t tend to change as much over time.”

Three groups hope to have a million people say rosary for life in October WASHINGTON, D.C. — Leaders of three U.S. Catholic organizations hope to have a million people pray and promote the daily rosary during the month of October for “the end to legal abortion in America and an outpouring of support for expectant mothers,” according to their announcement on the joint effort. The three leaders – Michael Warsaw, CEO of EWTN; Father Francis J. Hoffman, CEO of Relevant Radio; and Tim Busch, CEO of Napa Institute – launched the joint effort on their organization’s respective websites. In the U.S. Church, October

23

is observed as Respect Life Month. In addition, October is dedicated to the rosary, and the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is Oct. 7.

— Catholic News Service

Our world 24

catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Defend life, promote access to health care for all, pope says CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — The fear, sickness, death, mourning and economic impacts of COVID-19 should make people who are relatively well off and have access to health care think about “what it means to be vulnerable and live in precariousness on a daily basis,” Pope Francis told members of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

Acknowledging how people are “worn down” and tired of hearing or thinking about the coronavirus, the pope insisted the challenges and suffering of the past 18 months would make sense only if people learned from them.

Meeting members of the Pontifical Academy for Life Sept. 27, Pope Francis urged them to find new ways to collaborate with other physicians, researchers, scholars and theologians in defending human life at every stage of its development and in every condition of health or frailty.

The Catholic Church cannot “water down” the truth that the defense of life includes opposition to abortion and euthanasia – the clearest signs today of a “throwaway culture,” he said. But it also includes continuing the traditional Catholic advocacy for the right to health care for all people.

While disease is a natural occurrence, it often also is the result of human action or inaction, and responses to it are the result of social and political choices, Pope Francis said.

“Moreover, it is not enough for a problem to be serious for it to attract attention and be addressed” with the same kind of global commitment that is being seen in response to COVID-19, he said. In fact, “very serious problems are ignored because of a lack of adequate commitment.”

“Think of the devastating impact of certain diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis,” he said.

“Every year, millions of avoidable deaths occur in the world. If we compare this reality with the concern that the COVID-19 pandemic has provoked, we see how the perception of the gravity of the problem and the corresponding mobilization of energy and resources is very different.”

And while global measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus and to get people vaccinated are good, he said, one cannot ignore the fact that millions of people do not have access to clean water or adequate food.

“I do not know whether to laugh or cry, sometimes I weep, when we hear government or community leaders advising the inhabitants of the slums to wash several times a day with soap and water. My dear, you have never been in a slum: there is no water there and they don’t have soap,” he said.

Statistically “variables such as salary level, educational qualification and neighborhood of residence, even in the same city,” also make a huge difference, he said.

“We affirm that life and health are equally fundamental values for all, based on the inalienable dignity of the human person, but if this affirmation is not followed by an appropriate commitment to overcome the inequalities,” he said, “we in fact accept the painful reality that not all lives are equal, and health is not protected for all in the same way.”

“Here I would like to reiterate my concern that there will always be a free health care system,” he said. For countries that have a free health care system, “don’t lose it, because otherwise only those who can pay for it will have the right to health care and the others will not.”

Universal health care plans, he said, “help to overcome inequalities.”

CNS| KENA BETANCUR, POOL VIA REUTERS

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, virtually addresses the 76th session of the U.N. General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York Sept. 25.

Hope, unity needed in world torn by division, cardinal tells U.N. JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — World leaders must rely on hope rather than isolation and withdrawal to confront current and future challenges, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

“Hope keeps us motivated when problems and disagreements seem unsolvable; it facilitates forgiveness, conscious that, through reconciliation, there can be a better future,” Cardinal Parolin said Sept. 25 in a video address to the U.N. General Assembly.

The U.N. General Assembly is the main policy-making organ of the organization; it has 193 member states. The Holy See is a permanent observer, meaning that while it cannot vote on resolutions, it can address the General Assembly as well as high-level meetings.

In his address, Cardinal Parolin said world leaders must work with a “renewed sense of hope” in confronting the current trials facing the world, including the pandemic, polarization and threats to the environment.

Reflecting on the assembly’s theme, “Building resilience through hope,” the cardinal said the pandemic revealed “how interconnected our world is” and insisted world leaders must do more to help vulnerable populations that have not had access to health care or vaccinations.

“Resilience,” he said, “calls for an examination of the fragility and shortfalls of our economic systems, which have left many behind as a result of the severe economic downturn and made the poor even more vulnerable.”

The pandemic, he continued, also delayed much-needed programs that would help the world reach the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

“Making sustainable development a reality by 2030, which two years ago appeared to be an uphill struggle with no certainty of success, has now become such a daunting challenge that tremendous efforts will be needed,” the cardinal said.

Sustainable development, he said, “if truly at the service

of the human person, must also incorporate the poor and their gifts and creativity as agents of their own integral development.”

Cardinal Parolin said man-made threats, such as climate change and conflicts, also pose a threat to existence, as seen in many parts of the world today, including Afghanistan, Syria and Lebanon, and “entrap regions and countries in a downward spiral.”

And, he said, “the damage to our fellow human beings and our planet is a special cause of concern with regard to nuclear arms and biological and chemical weapons.”

“The threat of nuclear weapons, possessed under the guise of nuclear deterrence, creates an ethos of fear based on mutual annihilation and poisons relationships between peoples, obstructs dialogue and undermines hope,” he said.

Nevertheless, the Vatican secretary of state said, “one of the most serious causes for concern” today is the “crisis of human relationships,” which has allowed for a “culture of waste” and a disregard for basic human rights to persist.

“Our societies today are the theater of many injustices where human beings are maltreated, exploited, ignored, killed or left to languish in humanitarian emergencies.” the cardinal said.

“We need to build resilience through hope and consensus in this noble institution, while defending human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to life, to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and to freedom of opinion and expression, and not to undermine them,” he said.

Cardinal Parolin encouraged the U.N. General Assembly to use hope to benefit everyone rather than yielding “to separatism or partisan interests.”

“There will be no peace as long as our alliances are against others, for alliances of some against others only increase divisions,” the cardinal said. “Peace does not demand winners or losers, but rather brothers and sisters who, for all the misunderstandings and hurts of the past, are journeying from conflict to unity.”

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Report: 330,000 children abused in French Church since 1950s PARIS — An independent report on sexual abuse in the French Catholic Church estimates 330,000 children have been abused since the 1950s. Most of the victims were pre-adolescent boys of all social backgrounds, and more than a third of the assaults were committed by laypeople. Some of those sexually assaulted were nuns or seminarians. In the report released Oct. 5, the 21-member Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church described itself as “witnesses of witnesses.”

“The picture thus drawn reveals that the phenomenon of sexual violence in the Catholic Church from 1950 to the present day is massive; that it has decreased over time but is still present; that it is based on numerous clearly identified traits of a systemic nature. The trauma suffered by the victims is compounded by the perpetrator’s standing,” said an English summary of the 2,500-page report.

Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris said the French bishops and religious orders commissioned the investigation “in order to get the truth, because we absolutely owe it to the victims and to all the faithful.”

Two German scholars win prestigious Ratzinger Prize VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has selected

two German scholars as winners of the Ratzinger Prize.

The winners for 2021, announced by the Vatican Oct. 1, are: Hanna-Barbara GerlFalkovitz, a retired professor of philosophy of religions at the University of Dresden and an active contributor to the “Opera omnia” or collected works of St. Edith Stein and the Italian edition of the collected works of Father Romano Guardini; and Ludger SchwienhorstSchönberger, a professor for Old Testament studies at the University of Vienna and chair at its Institute for Old Testament Biblical Studies.

The prestigious award, a sort of “Nobel Prize in Theology,” is given to two scholars each year who stand out for their scientific research in the field of theology, regardless of their faith.

The pope is scheduled to confer the award to the winners at the Vatican Nov. 13.

Pope appoints new members to International Theological Commission VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis appointed a dozen new members to the International Theological Commission, including two professors from The Catholic University of America, the Vatican announced.

The 12 new members include Robin Darling Young, associate professor at Catholic University’s School of Theology and Religious Studies and an expert in early Church history, and Reinhard Huetter, professor of fundamental and dogmatic theology.

Announcing the appointments Sept. 29, the Vatican also said Pope Francis named Monsignor Piero Coda, a consultor for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as the commission’s secretary general.

Established in 1969, the International Theological Commission is a papally appointed board of religious and lay theologians who

advise the doctrinal congregation.

In addition to Darling Young, the 12 new members include two other women: Australian Schoenstatt Sister Isabell Naumann, president of the Catholic Institute of Sydney and a professor of systemic theology; and St. Andrew Sister Josée Ngalula, a professor of dogmatic theology at the Catholic University of Congo in Kinshasa.

Their appointments bring the number of women on the commission to five.

Canadian bishops apologize for abuses, ongoing trauma of Indigenous

continue to this day.”

Since unmarked graves of children were discovered at a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia, in May, the Church has been criticized for not doing enough to make amends for its role in the residential school system.

There also have been renewed calls for Pope Francis to visit Canada to issue a formal apology on behalf of the Church on Canadian soil, which was one of the Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

— Catholic News Service

OTTAWA, Ontario — Canada’s Catholic bishops have “unequivocally” apologized for the Church’s role in the residential school system and have raised the possibility of a visit by the pope to Canada as part of the “healing journey” between Canada’s Indigenous peoples and the Church. n a statement released by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops at the end of the CCCB’s annual plenary assembly Sept. 24, the bishops said, “We acknowledge the suffering experienced in Canada’s Indian Residential Schools.”

“Many Catholic religious communities and dioceses participated in this system, which led to the suppression of Indigenous languages, culture and spirituality, failing to respect the rich history, traditions and wisdom of Indigenous peoples,” said the statement released by the bishops’ conference.

“We acknowledge the grave abuses that were committed by some members of our Catholic community: physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, cultural and sexual. We also sorrowfully acknowledge the historical and ongoing trauma and the legacy of suffering and challenges faced by Indigenous peoples that

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

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

Published in gratitude for prayers answered.

Thank you, S.B.

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Deacon Matthew Newsome

Try the Office of Readings, the Church’s daily devotional

I

wasn’t raised going to church, but looking back I find many ways God was planting seeds for my eventual conversion.

For example, one thing I remember well from childhood visits to my grandparents’ home in South Carolina is the copy of “Daily Guideposts” my grandfather kept on the back of his commode. (For readers too young to recall a time before smartphones, people once relied on books and magazines to keep bathroom boredom at bay.)

Beloved among Protestants, “Daily Guideposts” is a devotional book that has been published annually for more than four decades. It features a scripture verse paired with an inspiring story for each day of the year. Even though I wasn’t otherwise interested in Christianity, I usually managed to sneak a peek at least once during my visit to the page my grandfather had bookmarked (always the current date). It always gave me something to think about, and reflecting back on it now, I associate those memories with feelings of peace.

Years later, when my parents began attending a local Methodist church, daily devotional reading became a big part of my father’s prayer life. He’d sometimes have a whole stack of devotionals – including “Daily Guideposts” – that he would read concurrently. He’d often share with me an insight from what he had read that day, and I’d occasionally pick up one of his books and read a page or two on my own. The format was always similar: a passage of scripture followed by a reflection providing context to help understand and apply the passage.

Devotional reading is nothing new, nor is it particularly Protestant. When I became Catholic and was seeking to learn everything I could about the faith, I did quite a bit of reading, though at the time I considered it education rather than devotion. Looking back now, I don’t think we should draw a line too sharply between the two. Prayer is about forming a relationship with God, and a good relationship is all about getting to know one another.

There is a difference, though, between knowing about someone and really knowing them. To really know someone, you have to spend time with them, and that’s where prayer comes in.

St. Ambrose said prayer should accompany the reading of sacred scripture “so that there may be a conversation

between God and His people: we talk with God when we pray, we listen to Him when we read God’s words.” St. Francis de Sales recommends in his “Introduction to the Devout Life” that those seeking to grow in devotion spend a little time each day reading from scripture as well as from the writings of the saints. Thus you come to know the mind of God and the mind of the Church.

A few years after I joined the Church, my wife and I signed up for a class offered at our parish on praying the Liturgy of the Hours. It took a while to establish Morning and Evening Prayer as part of our routine, but the format of the prayer immediately resonated with me.

The Liturgy of the Hours had everything I was looking for in prayer: I was praising God every day, reading from the scriptures, offering petitions and interceding for the world. Best of all, since it is liturgical prayer, that meant I was praying in union with the Church every day in a format that was already laid out and ready to go.

The Liturgy of the Hours is a way to sanctify time by praying at intervals throughout the day. “Hours” refers to a period of time, not literally 60 minutes. In the current arrangement, the hours include Morning Prayer, Daytime Prayer, Evening Prayer and Night Prayer, plus the Office of Readings which can be prayed at any time during the day. Each of these “hours” of the office may take only 15 minutes or so to pray. The two principal hours are Morning and Evening Prayer, which consist primarily of psalms, other short scripture readings, intercessions and petitions.

For many years my wife and I prayed from the singlevolume version of the Liturgy of the Hours called Christian Prayer. This book has everything you need to pray Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and Night Prayer, as well as selections from Daytime Prayer and the Office of Readings. Later on, when I was in formation for the diaconate, I decided to upgrade to the full four-volume version of the Liturgy of the Hours in order to pray the Office of Readings. I was immediately enriched by it.

The Office of Readings begins with psalms, like the other hours, but then provides a longer passage of scripture followed by a related non-scriptural reading from one of the Fathers of the Church, another saint or an excerpt from an ecclesial document. It could be anything

from one of the letters of St. Ignatius of Antioch (2nd century) to a selection from one of the constitutions of the Second Vatican Council (20th century). The readings in the Liturgy of the Hours are “coordinated with the Mass in such a way that the scriptural readings in the office complement the readings at Mass and so provide a complete view of the history of salvation” (“General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours,” 143), while “the purpose of the second reading is principally to provide for meditation on the word of God as received by the Church in its tradition” (GILH, 163).

In faithfully praying the Office of Readings, I have learned much about how God worked through history to prepare Israel for the coming of His Son, and of the salvific mystery of Christ currently at work in the Church.

I have read the wisdom of the Church Fathers and received much-needed advice about how to be a Christian in the world. I have come to better know the saints and appreciate how each of them reflected the holiness of God in the circumstances of their lives.

The Church calls these writings “an outstanding witness to the contemplation of the word of God over the centuries by the Bride of the incarnate Word: the Church” (GILH, 164). They give us access to “the priceless spiritual treasures that form the unique patrimony of the Church and provide a firm foundation for the spiritual life” (GILH, 165).

As a deacon, I am bound by ecclesial law to pray Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer each day for the good of the Church. But for my own sake as a Christian, I couldn’t imagine a day without the Office of Readings, which I have come to regard as the daily devotional of the Church.

If anyone is seeking a sure way to boost their prayer life, to grow in devotion and the knowledge of God, to learn more about the saints, and to enter more deeply into the liturgical cycle of the Church, I can think of no easier or better way than to make the Office of Readings your daily guidepost.

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

Do you see, hear and recognize Jesus?

D Jesuit Father John Michalowski

o you see Jesus each time you are at Mass? Even better, do you experience Jesus Christ in the many ways that He is in our midst?

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20).

Jesus Christ is with us. He is among us through grace. He is in us, for we are the Body of Christ, as St. Paul reminds us in his letters.

Look around you at Mass. Those you see are members of the Body of Christ. Rather than judging others, we need to recognize that each one is a member of Christ, and all are needed if Jesus’ work is to continue in the world. Do you see Christ in them and

in yourself whenever they or you act in grace? We need to pray that we have Jesus’ eyes and Jesus’ heart whenever we gather together.

Do you hear Jesus speak to you in the word of the Gospel and the other scriptures? Do we allow His Word to speak to our minds and settle in our hearts?

Do we take seriously the prayer that the deacon or priest prays as we prepare to listen to the Gospel? “Lord, be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart that I might worthily proclaim the Holy Gospel.” We all need to allow the Gospel to speak to our minds and our hearts, so that when we speak to others our words might be words of grace.

Do we recognize Christ Jesus in the Eucharist as we are joined in communion with Christ our Head and with our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ?

Jesus came to reconcile us to one another and to all, and it begins each time we pray the Our Father and each time we receive Communion.

Yes, each time we gather together in Christ for Mass, Jesus fulfills His words to us: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Christ is more present than we often think.

JESUIT FATHER JOHN MICHALOWSKI is the parochial vicar of St. Peter Church in Charlotte.

October 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Letter to the editor

On Catholic education I love Catholic education for two main reasons: First, it is my home field so to speak, as a Catholic educator in the classical model. Second, it’s a good topic since good Catholic education is needed to accrue social capital.

In his book “Renewing Catholic Schools: How to Regain a Catholic Vision for a Secular Age,” Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila articulates that Catholic education sought to “innovate” and abandon its 2,000-year educational model rooted in the classics and adopt secular teaching methods. The result was a catastrophe. Enrollment plummeted and schools closed across the country. Now, as we see throughout the West, the collapse of the Catholic school system has gone hand in hand with the spiritual poverty Mother Teresa warned was more deadly than the material poverty she witnessed in Calcutta.

So what can we do? British philosopher

Sir Roger Scruton once said that “the postmodern believes he rarely finds things he loves, always finds something gone wrong, something hateful even, and you’ve got to mobilize against it.” To restore Catholic education, we must instead be more like Scruton’s vision of how man ought to be, the man who “looks around himself finding things that he loves and thinks ‘well those things are threatened, they’re vulnerable, I’ve got to protect them.’”

As St. Thomas Aquinas once said, “Wonder is the desire for knowledge.” Our educational institutions should protect and love this wonderful heritage of centuries of grasping for the transcendent, where a genuine sense of delight and satisfaction can be found in pondering the mysterious questions of who God is and why He deemed to create.

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STEPHEN THOMAS is the middle school history teacher at St. Michael School in Gastonia.

Most-read stories on the web Through press time on Oct. 5, 33,743 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 50,442 pages. The top 10 headlines in September and October so far have been: n Online, parish-based Eucharistic Congress held Sept. 17-18................................................................ 1,898 n Feast day of Padre Pio, ‘a man of prayer and suffering,’ celebrated Sept. 23..................................1,616 n 12 permanent deacons ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte............................................................1,089 n View the current print edition of the Catholic News Herald.................................................................1,065 n Virgen de las Mercedes, patrona de los reclusos.................................................................................... 1,006 n Priest assignments announced.......................................................................................................................959 n Judge rules for ex-substitute teacher who opposed Church teaching...............................................955 n COVID-19 mask mandate now covers Mecklenburg County churches................................................900 n Deacon Matthew Newsome: Religious exemption or conscientious objection?............................... 592 n Seminarian Spotlight: Joseph Yellico............................................................................................................405

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catholicnewsherald.com | October 8, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Independent review finds diocese compliant on child protection CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has passed an independent review of its compliance to nationally prescribed child protection procedures for the 19th straight year.

The yearly assessment by Stonebridge Business Partners of Rochester, N.Y., monitors U.S. dioceses’ compliance with the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” which addresses the Church’s commitment to respond effectively, appropriately and compassionately to cases of abuse of minors by clergy or other Church personnel.

The audit for the period of July 2020 through June 2021 was conducted in August.

The diocese has been found to be compliant with the provisions of the charter each year since the audits began in 2003.

The external review checks compliance with reporting requirements of the charter, including the diocese’s efforts to ensure the protection of children through criminal background checks and educational awareness programs on recognizing and preventing abuse.

In the fiscal year that ran from July 1,

OLA FROM PAGE 3

working with us to protect those we serve,” the statement said.

Over the past two decades, the Church has installed sweeping measures to prevent child sexual abuse. In 2002, the U.S. Catholic Bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, mandating

2020, to June 30, 2021, the diocese conducted 3,786 background checks, which are required on an ongoing basis for all diocesan clergy, employees and volunteers. Since 2002, more than 75,400 background checks have been conducted. That includes rechecking active volunteers and employees every five years.

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed the need for volunteer assistance in parishes and schools over this past fiscal year, so fewer inperson training classes of “Protecting God’s Children” were held. A total of 2,190 adults in the diocese received training, down from the usual number of 4,000 participants.

More than 59,000 adults in the diocese have received training in this abuse prevention awareness program since it began in 2002.

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

The training program was recently updated with revamped videos and discussion points.

— Catholic News Herald

strict protocols for all U.S. dioceses that have continued to be expanded and refined.

In 2019, the diocese published accountability. charlottediocese.org, detailing historical abuse data and a list of 14 clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse since the diocese was established in 1972. Reflecting a national trend, most abuse in the Charlotte diocese was alleged to have occurred decades ago and was not reported until many years later.

The diocese has said it will add to the list if additional clergy are found to be credibly accused, no matter when the abuse occurred.

MINISTERS FROM PAGE 15

journey with them, are men and women of great faith,” said Deacon John Martino, director of the permanent diaconate for the past five years.

“During these years of discernment and formation, they have endured the difficult times, enjoyed the good times, and grown in their faith. As husband and wife, they witness to the strength of God and the importance of the Church within their families and in their relationships with others.”

“The Diocese of Charlotte is blessed in the years ahead with the ministry God has planned for them,” Deacon Martino added.

‘GOD GIVE YOU GREAT ZEAL FOR ALL’

In his closing remarks, Bishop Jugis gave special thanks and recognition to the new deacons’ wives, families, parish

MINISTROS VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 16

hombres durante su formación y fueron responsables por ello a lo largo de los años. .

“Ellos estarán retribuyéndolos a ustedes, sus parroquianos, para servirlos y ... a través de su predicación de la Palabra, a través de su ministerio y a través de los sacramentos, acercarlos a Dios Todopoderoso y acompañarlos en el

families and pastors for their support, and for everyone who has prayed for the men during their formation and were responsible for their formation over the years.

“They will be giving back to you, their parishioners, to serve and … through their preaching of the Word, through their ministry and through the sacraments, to bring you closer to Almighty God and bring you further along the path of your salvation,” Bishop Jugis said.

And to the 12 he gave a blessing: “May God who has called you to the service of others in His Church give you great zeal for all, especially the afflicted and the poor. May He who has entrusted you with preaching of the Gospel of Christ help you as you live according to His Word to be its sincere and fervent witnesses.

“May He who has appointed you stewards of His mysteries make you imitators of His Son, Jesus Christ, and ministers of unity and peace in the world.”

camino de su salvación”, dijo el Obispo Jugis.

Y a los doce les dio una bendición: “Que Dios que os ha llamado al servicio de los demás en su Iglesia os dé gran celo por todos, especialmente por los afligidos y los pobres. Quien os ha confiado la predicación del Evangelio de Cristo os ayude a vivir según su Palabra para ser sus testigos sinceros y fervientes”.

“Que el que os ha designado administradores de sus misterios os haga imitadores de su hijo Jesucristo y ministros de unidad y paz en el mundo”.