March 12, 2021

March 12, 2021

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Sisters of St. Joseph retiring from 2 Triad schools 16

‘It truly is a blessed time’ Pandemic impacts RCIA program, yet people still coming into the Church at Easter

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Contact us.....................................4 Español......................................... 8-11 Events calendar............................4 Our Faith........................................2 Our Parishes............................. 3-7 Schools........................................ 16 Scripture readings.......................2 TV & Movies.............................14-15 U.S. news.................................18-19 Viewpoints.............................22-23 World news............................ 20-21

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: COVID-19 VACCINE

Parishes host vaccine clinics 12-13

Parroquias albergan clínicas de vacunación en zonas insuficientemente atendidas

‘Christus am Ölberg’: Beethoven and the Agony in the Garden 14

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Legacy of faith, joy and perseverance N.C.’s first African American Knight of Columbus passes away at 87

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Pastoral Juvenil recibió Libro de la Pascua 10

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | March 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope Francis

Iraq visit ‘sign of hope’ for suffering people

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espite years of suffering due to war and terrorism, the people of Iraq continue to look to the future with hope, Pope Francis said.

Recalling his recent visit to the country during his weekly general audience March 10, the pope said while he saw “the opened wounds of destruction,” he also PAGE 20: saw “around me the joy “Faith amid of welcoming Christ’s the ruins: message.”

Pope calls “I saw the hope of Iraqis to being open to a horizon affirm kinship of peace and fraternity, under one summed up in Jesus’ God” words that were the motto of the visit: ‘You are all brothers,’” he said.

In his talk, the pope said he was grateful to God for the March 5-8 visit, a trip that his predecessor, St. John Paul II, had wanted to make.

“Never before has a pope been in the land of Abraham,” he said. “Providence willed that this should happen now, as a sign of hope, after years of war and terrorism, and during a severe pandemic.”

Affirming the right of the Iraqi people to live in peace, Pope Francis praised the country’s rich history as the “cradle of civilization.”

Nevertheless, despite its cultural significance in the world, Iraq was destroyed by war, which is “always the monster that, as the ages change, transforms itself and devours humanity,” he said.

Departing from his prepared remarks, the pope denounced arms dealers who profit from war and sold weapons to terrorists not only in Iraq, but in other parts of the world suffering from violence. The answer to war, he added, is fraternity, which is a challenge for Iraq and “for many regions in conflict and, ultimately, for the entire world.”

He also said the interreligious meeting in the ancient city of Ur, the birthplace of Abraham, was a significant moment that brought together the spiritual descendants of “our father in the faith.”

Recalling his visits to Mosul and Qaraqosh, two cities devastated by Islamic State militants, the pope called for prayers for the people so that God may give them the strength to rebuild.

He also appealed to those who fled those cities, urging them to “keep the faith and hope. Be weavers of friendship and of fraternity wherever you are. And, if you can, return.”

Pope Francis said that, in Iraq, “despite the roar of destruction and weapons, the palm, a symbol of the country and of its hope, has continued to grow and bear fruit.”

Inside

Celebrate St. Joseph The Catholic Church has always fostered a strong devotion to St. Joseph as the head of the Holy Family, yet he has become increasingly prominent in the spiritual life of the Church over the past 150 years as Patron of the Universal Church.

Certain saints have received special insight into his holiness and the wonderful power of his heavenly intercession. “Devotion to St. Joseph is one of the choicest graces that God can give to a soul, for it is tantamount to revealing the entire treasury of our Lord’s graces,” wrote St. Peter Julian Eymard.

“When God wishes to raise a soul to greater heights, he unites it to St. Joseph by giving it a strong love for the good saint.”

Some of the saint’s titles and patronages – as listed in the Litany of St. Joseph – are

Also inside PAGE 23: Local author Kathryn Evans meditates on the various titles of St. Joseph and what they mean for us today explored on the Diocese of Charlotte’s Year of St. Joseph website, www.yearofstjoseph.org: n March – Joseph Most Just n April – Lover of Poverty n May – Model of Workers n June – Joseph Most Obedient and Head of the Holy Family n July – Joseph Most Faithful n August – Mirror of Patience n September – Joseph Most Prudent n October – Terror of Demons

n November – Patron of Dying and Solace of the Afflicted n December – Chaste Guardian of Virgins and Pillar of Families St. Joseph is most well known as the patron saint of fathers, families and workers.

However, he is in fact efficacious over many causes. He has become known for his intercession for the following: against doubt, accountants, attorneys, cabinetmakers and carpenters, cemetery workers and grave diggers, children, civil engineers, confectioners, craftsmen, dying people and for a happy and holy death, immigrants and exiles, house hunters, laborers, married people, orphans, people who fight Communism, pioneers, pregnant women, social justice, teachers and travelers.

Spend time in prayer with St. Joseph on March 19 Not able to attend a parish celebration for the feast of St. Joseph? Check out the Year of St. Joseph website, www.yearofstjoseph.org, for prayers, devotions and other ways you can deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ through His foster father. One suggestion: together as a family, slowly recite the Litany of St. Joseph, meditating for a moment on each of the saint’s titles:

Litany of St. Joseph Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Illustrious son of David, pray for us.

Light of patriarchs, pray for us.

Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.

Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.

Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.

Watchful defender of Christ, pray for us.

Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.

Lover of poverty, pray for us.

Model of workmen, pray for us.

Glory of home life, pray for us.

Guardian of virgins, pray for us.

Pillar of families, pray for us.

Solace of the afflicted, pray for us.

Hope of the sick, pray for us.

Patron of the dying, pray for us.

Terror of demons, pray for us.

Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.

Joseph most just, pray for us.

Joseph most chaste, pray for us.

Joseph most prudent, pray for us.

Joseph most valiant, pray for us.

Joseph most obedient, pray for us.

Joseph most faithful, pray for us.

Mirror of patience, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord!

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord!

Lamb of God, Who takes away the

sins of the world, Have mercy on us!

V. He made him the lord of His household, R. And prince over all His possessions.

Let us pray: O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven.

Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Scripture readings MARCH 14-20

Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent): 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23, Ephesians 2:4-10, John 3:14-21; Monday: Isaiah 65:17-21, John 4:43-54; Tuesday: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12, John 5:1-16; Wednesday (St. Patrick): Isaiah 49:8-15, John 5:17-30; Thursday (St. Cyril of Jerusalem): Exodus 32:7-14, John 5:31-47; Friday (St. Joseph): 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Luke 2:41-51a; Saturday: Jeremiah 11:18-20, John 7:40-53

MARCH 21-27

Sunday (Fifth Sunday of Lent): Ezekiel 37:12-14, Romans 8:8-11, John 11:1-45; Monday: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 3362, John 8:1-11; Tuesday (St. Turibius of Mogrovejo): Numbers 21:4-9, John 8:21-30; Wednesday: Daniel 3:14-20, 49-50, 91-92, 95, John 8:31-42; Thursday (The Annunciation of the Lord): Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10, Hebrews 10:4-10, Luke 1:26-38; Friday: Jeremiah 20:10-13, John 10:31-42; Saturday: Ezekiel 37:21-28, John 11:45-56

MARCH 28-APRIL 3

Sunday (Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord): Mark 11:1-10, Isaiah 50:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, Mark 14:1-15,47; Monday: Isaiah 42:1-7, John 12:1-11; Tuesday: Isaiah 49:1-6, John 13:21-33, 36-38; Wednesday: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Matthew 26:14-25; Thursday (Holy Thursday): Isaiah 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9, Revelation 1:5-8, Luke 4:16-21; Friday (Good Friday): Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42; Saturday (Easter Vigil): Genesis 1:1-2:2, Genesis 22:1-18, Exodus 14:15-15:1, Isaiah 54:5-14, Isaiah 55:111, Baruch 3:9-15, 32, 4:4, Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28, Romans 6:3-11, Mark 16:1-7

Our parishes

March 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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‘It truly is a blessed time’ Pandemic impacts RCIA program, yet people still coming into the Church at Easter Vigil SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Who would want to become Catholic in the middle of a pandemic? Turns out, quite a few people – despite churches being closed and public health measures limiting large gatherings for much of the past year.

Final numbers will not be available until after Easter, but 96 adults from 22 parishes attended three “Rites of Election” held recently with Bishop Peter Jugis. The Rite of Election is one of the final steps in an adult’s journey into the Catholic Church – a process of instruction, prayer and guidance known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or simply RCIA. The pandemic has impacted the number of people taking part in RCIA this year compared to last year, parish and program leaders acknowledge, but everyone has adapted and is making the best of things.

“The world has seen a variety of cataclysmic events over the centuries, and yet, souls show up at our church doors each and every year asking how to become an integral part of our faith communities,” says Deacon Mike Zboyovski, RCIA director at St. Eugene Parish in Asheville for more than 20 years and member of the diocese’s RCIA commission. “For two millennia, committed Catholic Christians have joined hands with inquirers and have assisted them in their catechesis.”

Modern technology has made things a bit easier – Zoom calls instead of in-person catechism classes, for example.

“The creativity at the parish level in getting folks instructed has been awesome to watch,” notes Chris Beal, director of the diocese’s Education Office, which oversees the RCIA program.

Yet the more formal steps on the journey to entering the Church – including the Rite of Election – have remained inperson events. And most parishes are preparing to welcome their people (called “catechumens” if they have not been baptized, “candidates” if they have) during the Easter Vigil on April 3, as is tradition.

One of the largest classes in the diocese this year is at St. James Church in Concord, which has 20 people in its bilingual RCIA program.

Virtual classes have been unavoidable with the pandemic precluding large gatherings, “but that is not the preferred approach for catechesis,” says

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

One of three Rites of Election in the Diocese of Charlotte this year was held at St. Mark Church in Huntersville Feb. 27. During the rite, each parish presents its candidates and catechumens to the bishop. The Rite of Election was also held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point and Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville.

Redemptorist Father Jerome Chavarria, pastor. “This style of formation is not without flaws and challenges, but it is the best that we can do for now. COVID has made all ministry challenging.”

In-person meetings when possible have been particularly helpful for Spanishspeaking participants and their sponsors, he says. “These classes are important because many of our Hispanic adults haven’t had the opportunity for faith formation because of the challenges of migration and finding employment.”

One of the catechumens at St. James Church is Maria Guadalupe Cano Dimas.

Her husband and two of her four daughters are Catholic. The 29-year-old was raised a Jehovah’s Witness but felt the call to become Catholic six years ago when she started attending St. James Church.

“The classes I have been attending started off in person, then it was changed to virtual for the safety of everyone. It has been a little challenging doing virtual since I have a lot to learn, but I have a lot of help from my catechist,” Dimas says.

She wants to become Catholic “because I want to live in the real world and want to be happy while I’m in it. What better way than being in a church that makes you feel the love God has for His children without doubt or judgments?”

Trent Lucas, who became Catholic himself two years ago, now serves as interim RCIA coordinator at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. He is guiding eight RCIA participants this year, about half the usual number, he says, but all committed to joining the Church.

“I think the past two years, we had around 15. I would say that the pandemic played a large role in that, as we had far less people than usual inquiring about becoming Catholic (this year),” Lucas notes.

The smaller size has enabled them to meet in person since August, though a Zoom call option has been available for anyone who cannot make it in person.

Braden Fisk, 28, is a catechumen in the cathedral’s RCIA program whose job requires him to work later in the evenings.

He appreciates Lucas’ efforts to help him complete the instruction via Zoom meetings or one-on one-sessions as needed.

“He has graciously given his personal time to catch me up on weekends – I suspect that’s a trait not unique to St. Patrick, and I will pay it forward whenever possible,” Fisk says.

Fisk is entering the Church before getting married in April to his fiancée, who is Catholic.

“I’ve always been ‘spiritual’ but never had a formal or structured religion,” he says.

“Much of my family were raised Catholic and we’d go to church when together during the holidays… Then I met my fiancée, whose family also happens to be Catholic, and decided to explore as it was important to me we get married in a Catholic setting. Finally, after learning more about the Church’s values and understanding what Catholicism is really about, I gained a new respect and appreciation.”

Deacon Zboyovski says this is what the journey into the Church is all about: discovering the beauty, truth and goodness of the Catholic faith in a way that speaks to each person’s heart.

“It truly is a blessed time,” he says, and despite the challenging times of the present moment, his faith is “constantly enriched by witnessing the love of our diocesan clergy, parish catechetical teams and parishioners engaging and encouraging those about to celebrate the beautiful sacraments of initiation.”

Your DSA contributions at work RCIA programs are among those funded in part by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how to donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.

Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage canceled CHARLOTTE — Diocesan officials have confirmed that the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage, scheduled for March 27 at Belmont Abbey College, is canceled again this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The annual event typically draws more than 1,000 middle school and high school youth from parishes across the diocese who gather at Belmont Abbey College for a daylong event centered on the Eucharist.

Public health measures, including North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s limit on mass gatherings, meant organizers had no choice but to cancel the event as they did last year when the pandemic emerged. There is no alternate date.

The Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage is a component of the annual Eucharistic Congress. This year’s Eucharistic Congress theme is “As I Have Loved You,” from the Gospel of John 13:34.

The 17th annual Eucharistic Congress is scheduled for Sept. 17-18 at the Charlotte Convention Center. The popular event – an opportunity for people across the Diocese of Charlotte to come together for Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, educational talks and fellowship – was held virtually last fall because of the pandemic.

If the Eucharistic Congress takes place as an in-person event this fall, there will be an opportunity for youth to register

and participate in youth tracks at the Eucharistic Congress during the day on Saturday, Sept. 18.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Get updates online At www.goeucharist.com: Get information about the 2021 Eucharistic Congress, in English and Spanish, as it is developed.

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | March 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Diocesan calendar of events March 12, 2021 Volume 30 • NUMBER 12

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

St. Patrick Cathedral to livestream Mass with Bishop Jugis for St. Patrick’s Day

St. Joseph’s Day Mass being offered at historic church March 19

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis will celebrate the patronal feast of St. Patrick Cathedral by offering Mass at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 17.

Seating will be extremely limited.

Because of reduced seating capacity inside the cathedral, the Mass will be livestreamed on the parish’s YouTube channel so that more faithful across the Diocese of Charlotte can participate.

There will be no parish dinner or Irish dancers at the cathedral to mark the feast this year, due to pandemic restrictions on public gatherings.

To view the livestream at 7 p.m. March 17 on St. Patrick Cathedral’s YouTube channel, go to YouTube and search “St. Patrick’s Cathedral” or click the link on the homepage of their website, www.stpatricks.org.

MOUNT HOLLY — Mass will be offered at Old St. Joseph Church March 19, its patronal feast day and in honor of the Year of St. Joseph. Because of very limited space in the church, the Mass will be offered privately and videotaped on the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel. To watch the video, subscribe to the YouTube channel to get an email notification when the video is posted, or follow the Catholic News Herald on Twitter.

The Mass will be offered by Father Paul Buchanan, pastor of Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, which is responsible for caring for the historic property. Built in 1843 for and by Irish immigrants, who had come to mine for gold along the Catawba River, St. Joseph Church is the oldest Catholic church still standing in the state and is an official state and U.S. historical site.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter. CNH file photo, 2018.

CONFERENCES & CATECHESIS CONVERGING ROADS MEDICAL ETHICS CONFERENCE, ‘HIPPOCRATIC MEDICINE, DO NO HARM’: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, March 20, St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Converging Roads is a regional conference series offering continuing education for health care professionals that equips them to practice the highest ethical and medical standards of their profession. This year’s conference will focus on the topic “Hippocratic Medicine: Do No Harm.” The day-long conference will feature presentations from Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, PhD, on “Rationing in Times of Crisis”; Claudia R. Sotomayor, MD, DBe, on “The Role of Disability in Determining Proportionate and Disproportionate Means”; Paul Hruz, MD, PhD, on “Gender Dysphoria in Children & Adults: Science, Ideology, and Ethics”; and more. To register, visit convergingroads.com.

11TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE: Saturday, March 20, in person and virtually at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte. Mass with Bishop Peter Jugis, as well as talks by dynamic speakers and time for prayer and fellowship. For details and to register, go online to www.catholicmenofthecarolinas.org. Questions? Contact Jason Murphy at 704-890-3907.

‘GOD IS NOT ANGRY AT YOU – UNDERSTANDING THE FATHER’S LOVE AND OVERCOMING FEAR’: 6-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 24, held virtually by St. Matthew yoUniversity (SMU) and hosted by Dr. Denis McNamara.

In the great tradition of the Church, God is love itself, a Father who sent His Son to rescue humanity and bring them back to His heart. Yet through the centuries, people have seen the Father at times as angry, remote and untrustworthy. This illustrated lecture will introduce a biblical and liturgical understanding of both God’s love and His justice. For details, visit www.stmatthewcatholic. org/smu.

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor. CNH file photo.

‘MADE FOR COMMUNITY – AN INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING’: A 9-week course through St. Matthew yoUniversity (SMU), led by Father Peter Ascik, Rachel Willoughby and Dr. David Glasow, starting April 14 and continuing until June 14, 7-9 p.m.

Wednesdays, held in the Banquet Room at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Free, but please register. For more information contact Rachel Willoughby at 704-543-7677, ext. 1020.

EASTER FOOD BASKETS BLESSING: 1 p.m. Saturday, April 3, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. The blessing will take place in the church to provide safe spacing. This Eastern and Central European tradition is also called “The Blessing of the Easter Baskets” (“Swieconka” in Polish), and will last about 30 minutes. Children can even bring their own baskets with their own treats, including chocolate and Easter candy.

For details, call Deacon James Witulski at 704-960-3704.

‘ANCHORED – FAITH, HOPE, LOVE’ DIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE: April 23-25, held virtually. For details, go online to www.anchored2021.com.

SUPPORT GROUPS

OPEN HOUSE ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE SEMINARY 5TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at the new seminary campus located at 22 Arctus Ave., Mount Holly. Take a tour, meet the college seminarians and enjoy light refreshments. All are invited to attend. For more information, go to www.StJCS.org.

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS WNC RESPECT LIFE MASS: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13, St. Margaret Mary, 102 Andrews Place, Swannanoa. St. Margaret Mary Parish in Swannanoa is offering a special regional Respect Life Mass for the end of abortion.

Mass will be offered by Father Brian Becker. Attendees are invited travel to Asheville to peacefully pray for an end to abortion (for one hour) at the local Planned Parenthood abortion facility. Sponsored by the Carolina Pro-Life Action Network of Western NC (C-PLAN). For details, contact Joanne Gregory or Elizabeth Harris with C-PLAN at ashevilleprolifecatholics@gmail.com.

RACHEL’S VINEYARD: Are you or a loved one seeking healing from the effects of a past abortion? Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats are offered by Catholic Charities for both men and women in the diocese. For details about upcoming retreats, contact Jackie Childers at 980-241-0251 or Jackie.childers1@gmail.com, or Jessica Grabowski at 910585-2460 or jrgrabowski@charlottediocese.org.

WORKSHOPS ‘STANDING TOGETHER TO REDUCE FALLS’: 10-11 a.m.

Tuesday, March 16, held virtually. Did you know that 1 in 4 adults falls each year? A physical therapist and occupational therapist will explore common factors that can lead to a fall and what you can do to reduce your risk. For details, contact Sandra Breakeld, Program Director Elder Ministry, at 704370-3220 or sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org.

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

March 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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College students participate in virtual ‘Give Your Heart Away’ week SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

Your DSA contributions at work The diocese’s Catholic Campus Ministry program is funded in part by contributions to the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how you can contribute at www. charlottediocese.org/dsa.

Catholic Campus Ministry At www.catholiconcampus. com: Learn more about Catholic Campus Ministry, which serves 21 college campuses in western North Carolina. Find a campus ministry location near you, support their mission to help students grow in their Catholic faith, or contact a campus minister for assistance.

CHARLOTTE — “If you fail to see Christ as the beggar in the door, you will fail to see Christ in the chalice.”

Those words from guest speaker Father Casey Cole, OFM, hit home for Catholic college students during Catholic Campus Ministry’s annual “Give Your Heart Away” event Feb. 10-17.

The annual diocesan event is normally a hands-on weekend of community service, educational talks and fellowship that emphasizes Catholic Social Teaching. Yet as with so many other activities amid the pandemic, this year it was converted into a virtual week of service and reflection in preparation for Lent.

A Zoom call with Father Cole and college students from across the Diocese of Charlotte kicked things off Feb. 10.

The author and blogger is a familiar name to students. His blog and YouTube channel are called “Breaking in the Habit,” and his books include: “Let Go: Seven Stumbling Blocks to Christian Discipleship” and “Called: What Happens After Saying Yes to God.” Father Cole explained to students that “Catholic Social Teaching isn’t an option, it is a requirement of living out and witnessing our Catholic faith to the world around us,” noted Darien Clark, assistant director of the diocese’s Campus and Young Adult Ministry program.

“I really enjoyed Father Cole’s talk,” said Lisa Scarduzio, a junior at UNC-Greensboro

who participated in Give Your Heart Away for the first time this year. “No matter who I cross paths with throughout my days, no matter what type of interaction we may have, I need to make the effort to see Christ in them.

“This powerful lesson was a beautiful start to my Lenten journey this year and something I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” she said.

Deacon Matthew Newsome, campus minister at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, agreed that Father Cole’s talk resonated with his students. “Students really appreciated the insights Father Cole offered about the need for us to love our neighbor and the challenge of putting yourself in another’s shoes, to be able to identify with their needs and struggles.”

Campus Ministry participants were also invited to attend Mass Feb. 14, streamed live from the campus ministry center at High Point University. Father Moses Njoh, HPU’s campus minister, offered the Mass.

Father Njoh used the theme of this year’s Give Your Heart Away – connecting Lent and the corporal works of mercy – to conclude his homily: “As we draw closer to this year’s holy season of Lent, in which the Church would be asking us to intensify our spirits of prayer, fasting and alms giving, I pray that we may be able to understand the seven corporal works of mercy as a means of continuing the work of mercy Jesus started.”

While most of this year’s Give Your Heart Away took place online, students also found ways to do hands-on service projects within what

public health restrictions allowed in their area.

Campus Ministry students at Appalachian State are collaborating with a club on campus to have a baby supply drive that will support the Hope Center, a pregnancy center located near campus. Students are collecting diapers, bottles, baby clothes and other baby supplies to help support the center’s mission.

Connor Theriot, a junior at UNC-Charlotte involved in Campus Ministry, also opted to do something a little different this year since he could not attend the usual program events: volunteering at Loaves and Fishes in Charlotte.

“It is important to remember that there are always those out there who are less fortunate and that the pandemic is affecting us all in different ways,” Theriot said. “Not only does volunteering help those in need, but also makes one more conscious of what others may be struggling with and to be kind to everyone you meet and to always be grateful.”

Wake Forest University’s campus minister Liz Orr observed that this year’s Give Your Heart Away week had a positive impact on students and their commitment to Lenten observances.

“Give Your Heart Away drew to a close on Ash Wednesday – an intentional decision made by the planning committee in the hopes of drawing a very clear connection between the corporal works of mercy and Lent,” she said. “That’s probably one of the bigger differences between this year’s GYHA and other years. Students felt inspired to carry out the spirit of service after the event was over – which is exactly what we hope to inspire every year!”

Still time to join CRS Rice Bowl to help alleviate poverty CHARLOTTE — Each Lent, Catholic families across the country unite to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl, families learn about how our sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and malnutrition, and how through Lenten alms, we have the power to make the world a better place for all.

Thousands of parishes and schools across the U.S. have been participating in CRS Rice Bowl since the campaign began Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17.

CRS Rice Bowl is a simple cardboard box that serves as a tool for collecting Lenten alms. It comes with a Lenten calendar that guides families through the 40 days of Lent with activities, reflections and stories.

There’s still time to participate by going online to www.crsricebowl.org.

The campaign benefits the work of Catholic Relief Services, the official relief and development agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. CRS Rice Bowl donations support the work of CRS in more than 100 different countries each year, and 25 percent of your donations stay in the Diocese of Charlotte, supporting local hunger and poverty alleviation efforts through the CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grants program sponsored by Catholic Charities.

Typically, CRS Rice Bowl donations are collected in diocesan parishes and schools at the end of Lent or soon after Easter. The collection is counted and each parish or school sends their donation to the diocesan Finance Office. However, due to constraints caused by the pandemic, participating parishes and schools may choose another method of collecting and submitting their CRS Rice Bowl funds.

Questions about CRS Rice Bowl MiniGrants or CRS Rice Bowl parish and school Rice Bowl collection remittance procedures may be directed to ccdocsca@ charlottediocese.org.

— Joseph Purello, director of the Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy for Catholic Charities, and Catholic Relief Services contributed.

CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grants Does your parish help run a food pantry, operate a thrift store, or sponsor an emergency services program? Perhaps your parish or school provides meals for those who are

homeless, or sponsors a garden that provides fresh produce to those in need. If so, consider applying for a Catholic Charities CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grant for up to $1,000 in grant funds. Grant applications must be reviewed and signed by the pastor of the parish, principal of the school, or director of the diocesan office applying for the grant as well as by the project director/ coordinator. Information on the 2021 round of the CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grant Program, including the grant guidelines, eligibility, and application document, will be available May 1 at www.ccdoc.org/cchdcrs.

Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of March:

“Get your ducks in a row!”

Rev. Robert A. Gibson – 1987 Rev. Francis Gorham – 1981 Rev. John Huston – 1976 Rev. Joseph P. Tobin, OSB - 1978

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

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus www.kofcnc.org

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 12, 2021 OUR PARISHES

‘He was a prayerful man. He’d say to me, “Brother Norris, if you would just wear out the knees in those pants, you’d get more help.”’ Ed Norris, Friend and fellow Knight of Columbus

Legacy of faith, joy and perseverance Joseph Hunt, North Carolina’s first African American Knight of Columbus, passes away at 87 ANNIE FERGUSON CORRESPONDENT

CHARLOTTE — Drawn to his joyfulness and deep faith in God, everyone wanted to be around Joe Hunt.

Hunt, the first African American member of the Knights of Columbus in North Carolina, died Feb. 13 aged 87.

Hunt’s son Jeff counts himself particularly blessed to have spent so much time with his father. The two operated 920 Services, a Charlotte-based catering business. The business, a spinoff from Joe Hunt’s longtime bar-tending venture, is still thriving today.

“His clients would reschedule their party depending on whether he was available or not. Everyone knew they could call my father and not worry about how it would go. He gave the same quality service to everyone. That was just him. He had to do it the right way,” his son recalls.

Friends including Ed Norris, a fellow Knight of Columbus, note they never heard Hunt say an unkind word about anyone, despite the discrimination Hunt initially faced in joining the Knights of Columbus in the segregated South. Instead, Hunt cultivated a deeply personal relationship with God through prayer and the sacraments.

“He was a prayerful man,” Norris says.

“He’d say to me, ‘Brother Norris, if you would just wear out the knees in those pants, you’d get more help.’”

Hunt’s zest for life was evident to everyone who met him. The source of his joy was his faith in God, and what fed his soul was the place he most wanted to be: Holy Mass.

Friends, family and fellow Knights flocked to Hunt’s funeral Mass on Feb. 20 at his home parish of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte, with more tuning in to a livestream on the parish’s YouTube channel because of COVID-19 crowd restrictions.

Deacon Curtiss Todd, a longtime friend at the parish, eulogized Hunt in his homily, noting, “In times of snow, sleet, rain and COVID-19,” Joe was at Mass every Sunday “sitting in the first pew.”

“He knew and recognized that spiritually Jesus was in that sanctuary and on that altar,” Todd said, “and he wanted to be as close as he could to his Lord and Savior.”

Hunt’s faith-filled outlook came from his upbringing, his career in the Army, and his family life in Charlotte.

Joseph Jefferson Hunt Sr. was born June 15, 1933, and raised by his mother and

PHOTO PROVIDED

Joe Hunt St. and his son Jeff, both Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, are pictured at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte in this undated photo. Joe Hunt, the first African American Knight of Columbus in North Carolina, passed away Feb. 13. grandparents on their family farm west of Charlotte in Shelby, N.C. The family went to a Southern Baptist church, and he and his brother and two sisters attended a general school where all ages learned together. Before heading off to school each morning, Hunt did chores on the farm, collecting eggs and gathering firewood.

“Most kids don’t understand what went into the making of America,” says Robert L. Douglas Jr., who joined the Knights of Columbus thanks to Hunt’s encouragement. “Joe was what every American should be. He worked hard, served in the military, and was a great husband and father.”

After graduation in 1954, Hunt was drafted into the U.S. Army as a combat engineer and served in Germany as part of the post-World War II rebuilding effort.

He then committed to another 10 years in the U.S. Army Reserve. He was honorably discharged and received several medals including ones for National Defense Service, Good Conduct, and Army of Occupation for his tour in Germany.

Hunt’s friends and family say his Army career had a lifelong impact, honing his leadership skills and broadening his appreciation for people from all walks of life.

When Hunt returned home, he took advantage of the G.I. Bill and earned an associate’s degree in business from Carver College in Atlanta, a historically black college with an emphasis on theology. The school choice was one more example of how he kept his faith at the center of his life.

He met a young woman named Mary Barnes and they married in 1958. The next year, they converted to Catholicism – drawn to the faith because of the people at

a little Catholic church near their Charlotte home: Our Lady of Consolation. With roots dating back to the 1940s, the parish has celebrated the rich heritage of both Roman Catholicism and African American traditions.

Still a relatively new Catholic in 1962, Hunt befriended Bishop Vincent Waters of Raleigh while serving as his driver.

Bishop Waters encouraged Hunt to join the Knights of Columbus. Although the Knights have a long history of advocating for racial equality, including admitting as members African Americans as far back as 1895, integration took much longer in the South.

In 1962 Hunt applied to become a Knight of Columbus in Council 770, the oldest council in North Carolina, established in Charlotte in 1903. Even though the rules allowed men of color, he still faced discrimination and his parish priest refused to sign Hunt’s application.

The rejection hurt, but Bishop Waters encouraged Hunt to persist.

The council’s chaplain quietly signed his application instead, and on Nov. 16, 1965, Hunt received his First Degree – becoming the first African American Knight of Columbus in North Carolina. In 1968, Hunt received his Fourth Degree, which includes Knights who wish to live out the fourth principle of patriotism.

Despite the difficulties Hunt faced getting into the Knights of Columbus, his son says far more people were with him than against him. Norris says Hunt “rose above all that,” referring to the discrimination and bigotry Hunt endured during the Jim Crow era.

Hunt became the Knights’ district KNIGHT, SEE PAGE 17

Mercy Sister Mary Jerome Spradley passes away at 92 BELMONT — Mercy Sister Mary Jerome Spradley died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, at Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont. She was 92 years old and had been professed as a Sister of Mercy for 72 years.

A private Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 2, 2021, in Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, and interment followed at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.

A public memorial celebration will be held at a later date.

Born near Belmont in Stanley, Sister Mary Jerome enjoyed claiming Gaston County as her birthplace. She was Spradley the daughter of Espy Dewitt Spradley and Ferrill Edith Poole.

She graduated from the Mercy School of Nursing and, shortly afterward, realized her calling to the Catholic Church and to religious life. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She also graduated from the executive Graduate Program in Health Care from the University of South Carolina.

At age 35, Sister Mary Jerome was named administrator of Mercy Hospital. She served on various North Carolina Hospital Association committees. In addition, she served on the Governor’s Board of Ethics in North Carolina, as well as several other boards of directors in Sisters of Mercy ministries. She was a life member fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives.

Among her honors, she was named Outstanding Career Woman of the Year in Medicine and related fields by the Central Charlotte Association.

She received honorary degrees from Belmont Abbey College and Sacred Heart College.

She served as a general councilor of the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina and chair of the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation.

Sister Mary Jerome’s life has been one of service – fulfilling her ring motto, “Now not I, but Christ.”

– and her accomplishments were many and impressive. She is best known for faithfulness, dependency and consistency and for building construction. It was suggested that, at Mercy Hospital, she moved at least one wall per week. She may have accomplished almost everything she wanted, except learning to play the piano.

She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Scott, and her sister Ferrill.

She is survived by the Sisters of Mercy; her nieces, Shirley Kennerly and Melissa Gorman, both of Concord; and her nephew, Scott, of Flagler Beach, Fla. Memorials may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy, Belmont, N.C., or the Sisters of Mercy Foundation, Belmont, N.C. 28012.

McLean Funeral Home in Belmont was in charge of the arrangements.

— Catholic News Herald

March 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Priest assignments announced CHARLOTTE — The following priest assignments have been recently announced by Bishop Peter Jugis: n Father Bernard Oleru, of the Missionaries of St. Paul of Nigeria, has been assigned as parochial vicar at St. Therese Church in Mooresville, effective Feb. 26. The Nigerian native comes from a family of nine and was ordained a Catholic priest for the missions in 2007.

Oleru n Conventual Franciscan Father Daniel Pal has been assigned as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem, effective Feb. 8. Father Pal is a native of Romania who professed solemn vows as a Franciscan in 1999 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2000. He served at parishes in Romania and Pal Spain before moving to the United States to serve in parishes in Massachusetts and Florida. Prior to coming to Our Lady of Mercy Parish, he served at Holy Cross Parish in Durham. n Father Sabastian Umouyo, of the Missionaries of St. Paul of Nigeria, has been assigned as pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington, effective March 1. He succeeds Father Ambrose Akinwande, MSP.

SWANNANOA — Everyone is invited to attend a special regional Respect Life Mass to pray for the end of abortion at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13, at St. Margaret Mary Church. Mass will be offered by Father Brian Becker, pastor, and afterwards attendees are invited travel to Asheville to peacefully pray for an end to abortion (for one hour) at the local Planned Parenthood abortion facility.

St. Margaret Mary Church is located at 102 Andrews Place in Swannanoa.

The prayer effort is sponsored by the Carolina Pro-Life Action Network of Western NC (C-PLAN), a coalition of local Catholic pro-life leaders. For more information, contact Joanne Gregory or Elizabeth Harris with C-PLAN at ashevilleprolifecatholics@gmail.com.

Father Lucas Rossi and Deacon Tim Mueller spend a moment in prayer before the newly installed image of the Divine Mercy on March 3 at St. Michael Church in Gastonia.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

St. Michael Church celebrates past, present generosity Knights support Holy Angels BELMONT — Knights of Columbus Council 11076, with Queen of the Apostles Parish in Belmont, recently made a donation to Holy Angels. Pictured are Grand Knight Jerry Munley and Deputy Grant Knight Dan Turner presenting the check to Holy Angels Executive VP/Chaplain Dennis Kuhn.

— Facebook

Vigil of Two Hearts continues

CHARLOTTE — This year’s Diocesan Youth Conference April 23-25 will be a uniquely digital experience – featuring the theme “Anchored: Faith, Hope, and Love.” And to make this year’s virtual event even more unique, diocesan organizers are calling on youth across the Diocese of Charlotte to create or share digital content that fits the DYC theme.

Parish youth and their families, youth groups and others are invited to create their own videos, songs, poems, artwork – anything that might be shared electronically at the virtual DYC that displays one or more of the aspects of the conference (being Anchored in Faith, Hope, and Love).

Send submissions by March 20 to anchored. dyc@gmail.com or 336-505-9189.

The 2021 DYC is being presented by the diocesan Youth Ministry Office in partnership with St. Basil the Great Eastern Catholic Parish of Charlotte.

For details, go online to www.anchored2021. com.

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WNC Respect Life Mass planned for March 13

— Catholic News Herald

Youth invited to create content for upcoming digital DYC

OUR PARISHESI

CHARLOTTE — For the second consecutive month, a group of more than 80 people attended the Vigil of the Two Hearts devotion at St. Patrick Cathedral on first Friday evening March 5. The evening began with Mass offered

by St. Matthew Church’s parochial vicar, Father Peter Ascik, followed by a Holy Hour of Reparation led by St. Vincent de Paul Church’s Deacon John Kopfle. Afterwards, the night of prayer continued with Nocturnal Adoration until the 8 a.m. First Saturday Mass. The intentions for Mass and the Holy Hour of Reparation were offered both for an end to abortion and for abortion-connected scientific research.

The Vigil of the Two Hearts is offered each first Friday evening overnight through first Saturday morning at the cathedral to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary devotions, while praying for the end of abortion, for families, and for the country’s conversion back to God. Because the next first Friday is Good Friday, the next vigil is planned for Friday, May 7. The event is organized by the Carolina Pro-Life Action Network of Charlotte (C-PLAN). For more information, contact info@prolifecharlotte.org or visit www.prolifecharlotte.org/two-hearts.

— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent

GASTONIA – March 3, the feast of St. Katherine Drexel, was a special day of celebration at St. Michael Church – honoring past and present benefactors to the parish.

More than 120 years earlier, the saint had donated $1,500 to the Benedictine monks of nearby Belmont Abbey to build the first parish church in Gastonia. The former heiress turned Catholic nun was famed for giving away her fortune to build schools and churches to serve African American and Native American communities. Fast forward to 2021, and the church receiving another gift: an anonymous donor contributed $17,000 to purchase a Divine Mercy image and create special niches to display it and the parish’s image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

During Mass on March 3, St. Michael’s pastor, Father Lucas Rossi, noted the generous support the parish has received over its long history.

St. Katherine Drexel “was always so generous,” he said. “She opened up the storehouse of her heart and shared the

treasure of her life with others.”

Likewise, he continued, “Somebody at our parish, anonymously, has opened the treasure of his heart… to give a place of beauty and dignity for (the image of) Our Lady of Guadalupe… and for our own parish image of the Divine Mercy.”

The Divine Mercy image was blessed and placed in one of the two niches built on each side of the sanctuary, and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the other. Local artist Jacob Wolfe created the oak niches over the course of several months and finished the installation just moments before the Mass on March 3.

“This image is now going to have a permanent home in our church,” Father Rossi said. “All of this celebration and joy and this generosity we are experiencing as a parish family goes back to St. Katherine Drexel and her generosity and her love for Jesus to pour herself out constantly over her whole life, giving in generosity to the people of God, building up the Church especially for the Native American and African American people.”

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

FACEBOOK.COM/ CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD ESPAÑOL

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 12, 2021

Parroquias albergan clínicas de vacunación en zonas insuficientemente atendidas Padre Julio Domínguez

El sentido de la Cuaresma

L

eemos en el Evangelio que Nuestro Señor fue llevado por el Espíritu y estuvo cuarenta días y noches en el desierto antes de emprender su vida pública (Mt. 4). Allí fue tentado por el demonio y salió victorioso del combate espiritual.

En el Antiguo Testamento, en el libro del Éxodo, encontramos que el pueblo de Dios estuvo errante desde la salida de Egipto opresor hasta la Tierra Prometida por cuarenta años.

Encontramos también a Moisés en el monte orando por cuarenta días para saber la voluntad de Dios y, por si fuera poco, en el primer libro de los Reyes se nos habla de los cuarenta días y cuarenta noches de la peregrinación de Elías hasta la montaña de Dios en el Horeb.

La palabra Cuaresma se deriva de “cuarenta” y va relacionada siempre con tiempo de purificación, de espera, de combate espiritual, de escucha de la voluntad de Dios y de sacrificio.

Desde el origen de la Iglesia, la Cuaresma se incorporó al tiempo litúrgico como preparación para la Pascua. Los temas para meditar son las tentaciones de Jesús en el desierto, el ciego de nacimiento, el diálogo con la mujer samaritana, y la resurrección de Lázaro. Cada uno de estos textos nos va llevando por un caminar que nos invita a reflexionar personalmente cómo vamos a vivir mejor nuestra Pascua.

La Cuaresma es, pues, considerada como un tiempo durante el cual los cristianos se ponen más intensamente ante el misterio de su fe para prepararse plenamente a la Pascua: vida, muerte y resurrección de Jesucristo.

Para que se acuerden de los cuarenta días de Jesús en el desierto y de las “tentaciones” que Él sufrió, los cristianos dedican un tiempo a la oración, ayuno y conversión. Es pues, solamente, a la luz de la Pascua que podemos comprender esta “cuarentena”, que señala el tiempo de nuestra marcha hacia Dios.

Debemos encontrar nuestro propio desierto, es decir lugar para reflexionar. Descargarse, desembarazarse de lo que entorpece, aceptar hacer una pausa, tener un desierto interior, un lugar lejos de ruidos superficiales para entrar en uno mismo, para escuchar mejor. Aligerarse por el ayuno, aislarse en el desierto, son las condiciones que se nos proponen para ponernos en camino hacia un conocimiento más grande, un descubrimiento nuevo.

Recomiendo mucho un retiro espiritual y una buena confesión durante la Cuaresma.

Sabemos que nada se detiene durante la Cuaresma: ni la vida familiar, trabajo, preocupaciones, ni las relaciones sociales. Hacer un alto, aunque sea en forma muy modesta, es ser llevado por el Espíritu, como lo fue Jesús cuando se retiró al desierto. En esto consistirá nuestro mejor ayuno, en hacer el tiempo para Dios y ponerlo como prioridad en nuestra vida generalmente ocupada.

Si nuestro desierto y ayuno nos permiten ver dentro de nosotros mismos, probaremos quizás el escándalo de no ser dioses y no poder poner todo bajo nuestros pies; o nos descubriremos terriblemente hambrientos de otro pan que el de la Palabra de Dios; y, más todavía, estaremos tentados por la desesperación delante de nuestro pecado y nuestra incapacidad de responder totalmente al llamado de Dios. Pero, en este combate, tal vez viviremos un encuentro amoroso, como en la lucha de Jacob con el Ángel, en un cuerpo a cuerpo con Dios hasta que Él se descubra: “No te dejaré hasta que tú me bendigas” (Génesis 32, 23-32).

En la Cuaresma nos preparamos a comprender un poco mejor lo que quiere decir “Resurrección”, pues nos hace anhelar la absoluta necesidad de la salvación. Durante esta “cuarentena” nos adviene el deseo de llegar a la Tierra prometida, nos inunda en gracia para poder escuchar mejor la voz de Dios y, aunque nos muestra nuestra pecaminosidad, nos presenta la esperanza de ser salvado por Aquel que murió y resucitó por nosotros.

EL PADRE JULIO DOMÍNGUEZ es director del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

CHARLOTTE — Las iglesias son lugares de esperanza y sanación, y ahora esa misión se está aprovechando para conectar a las comunidades insuficientemente atendidas con el acceso a las vacunas COVID-19 para combatir la pandemia.

Parroquias en Charlotte, Greensboro y Thomasville se encuentran entre aquellas que se asocian con proveedores de atención médica locales para organizar campañas de vacunación contra el COVID-19, a medida que los suministros de vacunas se encuentran disponibles.

Entre las primeras en albergar una clínica de vacunación se encuentra la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte, que el 11 de febrero y el 11 de marzo atendió a más de 270 personas que se presentaron para recibir su primera y segunda dosis de la vacuna.

“El primer día de vacunación aquí fue durante la fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, el 11 de febrero, fecha en que la Iglesia conmemora el Día Internacional del Enfermo”, dijo el pastor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, el Padre Vicentino Gregorio Gay. “Una de las formas en que podemos orar por nuestros enfermos y hacer todo lo posible para cuidarlos es vacunándonos”, señaló.

El Padre Gregorio fue uno de los que recibieron la vacuna contra el COVID-19 en la clínica patrocinada por su parroquia, organizada por el ministerio de salud parroquial y Atrium Health.

Rita Domínguez, gerente del proyecto de salud comunitaria de Atrium Heath, explicó que, “como parte de nuestra colaboración ‘Inmunidad comunitaria para todos’, nos asociamos con organizaciones comunitarias que cuentan con la confianza de comunidades desatendidas para llevarles recursos, servicios y apoyo. Queremos eliminar las barreras, como el transporte y acceso a Internet, necesarias para concertar una cita”.

Los tres sacerdotes de la parroquia de mayoría latina más grande de la diócesis han enfatizado la importancia de recibir la vacuna, recordando el mensaje del Día de Año Nuevo del Papa Francisco sobre la creación de una cultura de atención, asistencia y cuidado, dijo el Padre Gay. “También hemos motivado a la gente, como pidieron los obispos de Estados Unidos. Como expresaron, vacunarse es un acto de caridad y solidaridad”, dijo. “Por eso quería ponerme la vacuna.

Entramos en contacto con mucha gente, y no quiero infectar a nadie. Una de las formas de prevenir eso fue el vacunarme yo mismo”.

Ver a la gente de la comunidad que llegaba para vacunarse hizo que Claudia Cárcamo se emocionara. Cárcamo, coordinadora de seguridad y medioambiente de la parroquia, dijo que brindar la oportunidad de ayudar a la población latina desatendida, vecina de la iglesia, fue “un alivio”.

Una pareja de adultos mayores que llegó a recibir sus vacunas necesitaba ayuda para entrar y salir

de la iglesia, recordó. “Fue emotivo porque ves esa situación, necesitan ayuda. Me alegra saber que la parroquia puede brindar este servicio. Siempre estamos tratando de hacer lo mejor, porque Dios nos está enseñando cómo ser los mejores servidores de la comunidad”.

También ayudó a conectar a su comunidad local con el acceso a las vacunas la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de los Caminos en Thomasville, que organizó una clínica de vacunación el 6 de marzo junto con El Padre Gabriel Carvajal-Salazar se unió a las personas que recibían la vacuna contra el COVID-19 durante una jornada de vacunación acogida en la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de los Caminos en Thomasville el pasado 6 de marzo.

Casi 600 dosis de la vacuna Pfizer fueron administradas durante la clínica, patrocinada por Thomasville Pediatrics y el Departamento de Salud del condado Davidson.

JOE THORNTON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Thomasville Pediatrics y el Departamento de Salud del Condado Davidson. Se administraron casi 600 primeras dosis de la vacuna Pfizer.

El Padre Gabriel Carvajal-Salazar dijo que los feligreses tenían menos miedo porque pudieron aprender y recibir la vacuna en la comodidad y familiaridad de su iglesia local.

Además de ofrecer familiaridad y una fuente confiable de información, las iglesias a menudo son más accesibles y están ubicadas en áreas desatendidas, en comparación con hospitales, clínicas de salud y consultorios médicos.

La Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Consolación en Charlotte, cuyo ministerio de salud ha establecido una sólida asociación con Atrium Health para proporcionar mensualmente pruebas e información de COVID-19, se asoció con la vecina Iglesia Presbiteriana C. N. Jenkins para albergar una clínica de vacunación el 5 de marzo. Atrium Health pudo administrar 350 dosis ese día.

Las ubicaciones de esas iglesias sobre la calle Statesville Avenue en Charlotte las convierte en lugares ideales para un esfuerzo de divulgación de vacunación, dijeron los organizadores. No solo son familiares y cercanos, sino que más pequeños y menos intimidantes que los sitios de vacunación a gran escala, especialmente para los adultos mayores, las personas que no conducen o aquellos que se sienten incómodos de ir a lugares grandes.

“Muchas de las personas de este vecindario no VACUNACIÓN, PASA A LA PÁGINA 9

March 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Pastoral de duelo intensifica actividades por pandemia CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — “La pandemia de COVID-19 ha agudizado la necesidad de acompañamiento en el duelo de las personas que sufren la pérdida de un familiar o amigo”, dijo Cecilia Jiménez, coordinadora de la Pastoral de Duelo del Vicariato de Charlotte, resaltando que en nuestra comunidad se han presentado casos de personas que han perdido hasta cinco familiares en un corto periodo de tiempo. “Esto es muy triste y traumático”, añadió.

Por ello, en los últimos meses, las actividades de la Pastoral de Duelo se han concentrado en la organización de grupos de acompañamiento para personas que han sufrido la pérdida de sus seres queridos a consecuencia, directa o indirecta, del nuevo Coronavirus.

En estos grupos, integrados por un número limitado de personas para poder brindarles atención personalizada, se ofrece acompañamiento con asesoría psicológica y espiritual brindada por tres profesionales en psicología y un sacerdote.

Como se recuerda, la Pastoral de Duelo inició sus actividades en el último semestre de 2019, tras la visita de David Rodas Orozco, psicólogo colombiano que ofreció una capacitación de voluntarios en el Centro Pastoral de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Posteriormente, a principios de 2020, un grupo de ellos recibió entrenamiento especializado por el Instituto Pastoral del Sureste (SEPI), para mejorar e implementar nuevos servicios a los que ya se ofrecían en el vicariato.

Jiménez explica que inicialmente ofrecían dos programas: una conferencia sobre las etapas del duelo y ‘Café con aroma de esperanza’, una reunión mensual donde los participantes podían compartir sus experiencias sobre el sentimiento de pérdida de un ser querido.

En la conferencia se explicaban claramente las etapas de un proceso de duelo, “que puede tener una duración diferente en cada caso”, lo que ayuda a comprender los estados de ánimo y emociones por las que atraviesan las personas durante “un plazo que regularmente puede ser

de seis meses hasta dos años”.

En ‘Café con aroma de esperanza’ la dinámica es distinta. A este grupo de apoyo acceden las personas que ya han entendido el proceso de duelo, pero necesitan ayuda para sobrellevarlo.

En los actuales grupos de duelo y sanación, debido a las restricciones sanitarias de reunión sancionadas por las autoridades sanitarias y de gobierno, el acompañamiento se realiza utilizando redes sociales, lo que ha hecho que una posible limitante se convierta en un punto de expansión de los servicios de ayuda.

“Es interesante ver que, aunque siempre damos preferencia a la presencia de personas provenientes de nuestro vicariato, se han integrado a los grupos personas de otros países como México, Colombia, Perú, Ecuador y Nicaragua”, detalla Jiménez.

Aunque los grupos ya se encuentran formados y en operación, la coordinadora no descarta que las personas que requieran de la asistencia de la Pastoral de Duelo se comuniquen y soliciten ayuda.

“Estamos para servir a la comunidad”, dijo y pidió que quienes deseen contactarse lo hagan enviando un mensaje a su cuenta de Whatsapp: +1 (704) 245-1403, o a través del mismo medio con Eduardo Bernal, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Charlotte, al +1 (704) 770-8342.

Respecto a su vocación de servicio comunitario, Jiménez indica que se despertó tras asistir a un Encuentro Emaús. “Ahí conocí a unas mujeres maravillosas que nos sirvieron de una manera excepcional. No tengo palabras para describir la experiencia que viví, marcó mi vida y me hizo sentir que, como seres humanos e hijos de Dios estamos destinados a servir al prójimo”.

En un esfuerzo por brindar un mejor servicio a la comunidad, Jiménez y otra voluntaria de la Pastoral de Duelo seguirán un diplomado online de un año de duración que ofrece el Instituto Mexicano de Tanatología. Los estudios especializados incluirán temas como enfermedades crónicas y terminales, ansiedad y depresión, suicidio, la muerte y las religiones, eutanasia y aspectos jurídicos de la muerte, entre otros.

Se cancela Peregrinación Juvenil del Obispo CHARLOTTE — Autoridades diocesanas confirmaron que la Peregrinación Juvenil del Obispo, programada para marzo de este año en la Universidad Belmont Abbey, ha sido cancelada nuevamente este año debido a la pandemia de COVID-19.

El evento anual regularmente atrae más a más de mil jóvenes estudiantes de middle y high school provenientes de parroquias de toda la diócesis que se reúnen en la Universidad Belmont Abbey en un evento de un día de duración enfocado en la Eucaristía.

Las medidas sanitarias, que incluyen limitaciones a reuniones masivas, decretada por el Gobernador de Carolina del Norte, Roy Cooper, obligaron a los organizadores a cancelar el evento, al igual que el año pasado cuando la pandemia iniciaba. No se ha fijado fecha alternativa.

La Peregrinación Juvenil del Obispo es parte del Congreso Eucarístico Anual. El tema del congreso

VACUNACIÓN VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 8

pueden conducir hasta el estadio Bank of America o el Charlotte Motor Speedway, por lo que es bueno tener esto muy cerca a ellos”, dijo Ron Berry, líder del ministerio de salud de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Consolación.

“Confían en la iglesia. Confían en el liderazgo”, agregó el pastor de la Iglesia Presbiteriana C. N. Jenkins, Dr. Jerry Cannon. “Y tenemos centros cercanos donde residen personas mayores, por lo que queremos asegurarnos que ese sea nuestro objetivo principal, las personas de 65 años o más. (En nuestra ubicación) Atrium Health puede cuidar a nuestros adultos mayores para que no tengan que esperar tres horas en un automóvil”.

Berry dijo que espera que el esfuerzo para proporcionar

este año es “Como yo los he amado”, cita extraída del Evangelio de Juan 13:34.

El Décimoséptimo Congreso Eucarístico anual se realizará del 17 al 18 de septiembre en el Centro de Convenciones de Charlotte. El popular evento, una oportunidad para los fieles de toda la Diócesis de Charlotte para asistir a Misa, la Adoración Eucartística, conversatorios educativos y de camaradería, fue realizado virtualmente el pasado otoño debido a la pandemia.

Si el Congreso Eucarístico se realiza en persona este año, será una gran oportunidad para que los jóvenes se registren y participen en las sesiones juveniles programadas para el sábado 18 de septiembre.

— SueAnn Howell, reportera senior

Entérese online

En www.goeucharist.com: Consiga información actualizada, en inglés y español, sobre el Congreso Eucarístico 2021

vacunas ayude a dar a los feligreses la confianza para regresar pronto a la iglesia.

El pastor de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación, Padre Basile Sede, dijo que, “la vacunación es una forma en la que todos podemos ayudar a restaurar las actividades y nuestra participación de una manera segura y saludable para que podamos apoyar el bienestar financiero, emocional, físico y espiritual de todas las personas que han estado y continúan siendo desafiadas por los males del COVID-19”.

Y mucho después de que termine la pandemia, agregó Cannon, espera que la asociación de las iglesias con los proveedores de atención médica locales pueda continuar, proporcionando clínicas de salud, atención médica e información para las comunidades desatendidas.

“Cuando veamos que tenemos la oportunidad de cerrar la brecha y brindar ese servicio, no esperemos a que los hospitales o el departamento de salud tomen la iniciativa”, dijo. “Usemos la comunidad de fe y las casas de culto para decir ‘esto es lo que vamos a hacer’ y liderar”.

César Hurtado

De sueño a pesadilla

H

ace poco más de dos semanas viajé a Lima, Perú, de donde soy originario. Mi papá, de más de 80 años de edad, sufrió un accidente y sentí la necesidad de ir a verlo.

En febrero de 2020 ya había viajado a Lima y pude acompañar a mi mamá en la celebración de su cumpleaños. Fue también un reencuentro familiar con la promesa de volvernos a ver en la navidad pasada.

Tristemente, tras declararse la pandemia, mi mamá no pudo atenderse médicamente para sus controles del cáncer que la afectaba por 20 años y falleció en agosto pasado.

Particularmente creo que los fuertes dolores que la aquejaban y la imposibilidad del reencuentro en diciembre acabaron con su determinación de vivir.

Con las fronteras aéreas de Perú cerradas y la trágica situación de salubridad que atravesaba el país, me fue imposible viajar y despedir a mi mamá.

Así que ahora, venciendo el temor de mi familia en Estados Unidos y Perú, decidí visitar a mi papá para verlo, asegurarme que estaba bien, atenderlo, poder mirarlo nuevamente a los ojos, ver a mis hermanas, llorar con ellas y, aunque suene raro, poder comprobar que mi mamá había muerto, que ya no era parte de este mundo, aunque sienta que está conmigo.

Viajar en pandemia no es la grata experiencia de antes.

Quienes hayan debido hacerlo por este tiempo sabrán lo que digo. Mucha tensión, mucho miedo, mucho recelo del comportamiento de otros. Extremos controles, exámenes antes y después de viajar, mascarillas, cubiertas plásticas para el rostro y la posibilidad permanente de contagio hace que lo que antes fue un sueño ahora sea una pesadilla.

Pero el viaje no era nada frente a lo que encontraría al llegar.

Hoy, en Lima, con o sin dinero, la gente muere por COVID. La pandemia ha democratizado la muerte.

No hay oxígeno, la demanda ha sobrepasado largamente la oferta. Familiares de los enfermos esperan con sus tanques vacíos por días en los exteriores de las plantas que venden el gas esencial para la vida.

Sin camas UCI, los enfermos deambulan buscando ingresar a un hospital para intentar salvar sus vidas.

Con pocas vacunas, políticos y empresarios, personas cercanas al gobierno, se aprovechan de sus relaciones para ser vacunados antes que los médicos, enfermeras y servidores de primera línea.

Mientras, un gran sector de la población vive bajo ’toque de queda’ entre las 9 de la noche y 4 de la mañana, sin posibilidad de trabajar para llevar alimentos a casa.

Sólo un bono de gobierno de poco más de $160 ha sido entregado en los últimos días como ayuda a los hogares más vulnerables.

No escribo estas líneas como queja. Quiero que sean testimonio de un pueblo que se esfuerza por sobrevivir, que busca sin todavía encontrar, que no se detiene y arriesga todo para llevar vida a quienes quiere, que nada contra la corriente sabiendo que, pese al esfuerzo de sus corruptas autoridades, de quienes lucran con la vida aprovechándose del sufrimiento de sus hermanos, se levantará nuevamente y seguirá su vida.

Ya hay muestras de ello. Las ‘ollas comunes’, organizadas por las mujeres de las zonas más pobres de Lima, alimentan a miles de personas.

La solidaridad del más pobre es la verdadera cara de esta pandemia. El Papa Francisco, en su audiencia general del 2 de septiembre de 2020, ya nos había dicho que la palabra solidaridad “está un poco desgastada y a veces se la interpreta mal, pero es mucho más que algunos actos esporádicos de generosidad”, y “no es solo cuestión de ayudar a los otros, esto está bien hacerlo, pero es más: se trata de justicia”.

Y eso es lo que necesitan los peruanos: justicia.

CÉSAR HURTADO es especialista de comunicaciones hispanas en Catholic News Herald.

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Ibis Centeno, coordinadora de la Pastoral Juvenil Hispana de la Diócesis de Charlotte, aparece en la imagen junto con líderes juveniles participantes del Libro de la Pascua durante la primera reunión de planeamiento previa a la aparición de la pandemia en 2020. Centeno afirma que las reuniones virtuales han sido exitosas, pero a la vez se extraña la riqueza de las reuniones presenciales.

La parroquia San Eugenio en Asheville acoge en las amplias instalaciones de su gimnasio a los participantes de la jornada ignaciana organizada por el Ministerio Hispano de ese vicariato. Como se aprecia, los asistentes cumplen rigurosamente los protocolos de seguridad dictados por las autoridades sanitarias para prevenir el contagio del Coronavirus. Debido a la capacidad limitada, los organizadores han previsto la realización virtual del mismo evento con una capacidad de hasta 100 participantes.

FOTO CORTESÍA SEPI

FOTO CORTESÍA ANTONIO GARCÍA

Pastoral Juvenil recibió Libro de la Pascua CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — Con la participación de líderes de la Pastoral Juvenil Hispana de la Diócesis de Charlotte, se realizó el III Encuentro del Libro de la Pascua que organizó el Instituto Pastoral del Sureste (SEPI), con sede en Miami, Florida, el pasado 13 y 14 de febrero del año en curso.

La última reunión anual, donde tradicionalmente se entrega el libro “en persona”, debió llevarse a cabo de manera virtual, debido a las restricciones de reunión decretadas por las autoridades locales, estatales y federales.

Ya la flamante edición del Libro de la Pascua Juvenil había sido enviado a las 16 diócesis que fueron parte del proceso durante los años 2020-2021, por lo que los participantes pudieron contar con el material impreso durante las reuniones, para el sábado 13 estudiar y revisar el trabajo, y el domingo 14 presentar sus conclusiones.

Ibis Centeno, coordinadora de la Pastoral Juvenil Hispana de la Diócesis de Charlotte, se mostró complacida por la participación de los jóvenes de la diócesis y del reconocimiento que los

organizadores de SEPI otorgaron a la Diócesis de Charlotte al nombrar a uno de sus jóvenes como conductor y moderador de la reunión dominical.

Juan José Rodríguez, profesor y director de la Pastoral Juvenil de SEPI, quien dirige el programa del Libro de la Pascua Juvenil por los últimos 26 años, recordó que el proyecto inició en 1980 y que ya son “tres generaciones de jóvenes las que siguen asumiendo este proceso que los entusiasma y tiene éxito”.

El propósito que persigue el programa, dijo, es de acompañar a los jóvenes, formarlos en la fe, desarrollar liderazgo y fortalecer los grupos juveniles a nivel parroquial.

SISTEMA QUE FUNCIONA

Para Rodríguez, el éxito del programa radica en la participación juvenil. Según explica, en todas las etapas son los jóvenes quienes hacen las sugerencias temáticas y desarrollan los contenidos.

En el primer taller, escogen el tema y deciden sobre qué quieren escribir. Esta “es la fase más difícil”, dijo, ya que cada diócesis presenta su sugerencia y “quiere JUVENIL, PASA A LA PÁGINA 11

Jornadas Ignacianas en Asheville CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

ASHEVILLE — Con la finalidad de ofrecer un crecimiento espiritual y motivación a los agentes pastorales de iglesia, para que estén preparados a una próxima organización y reapertura de retiros presenciales, el Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Asheville organizó una serie de jornadas ignacianas que se llevan a cabo mensualmente en la Escuela Católica San Eugenio en Asheville.

“Durante el tiempo de pandemia muchas personas mostraron su interés de continuar con los retiros. La necesidad espiritual es muy grande”, dijo Antonio García, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Asheville. Sin embargo, la imposibilidad de poder llevarlos a cabo debido a las restricciones sanitarias decretadas por las autoridades los obligó a posponer y luego cancelar actividades. “Inclusive, ahora mismo, aunque la pandemia termine mañana y todo el mundo esté vacunado, no vamos a comenzar a realizar retiros ya. Ha pasado un año de mucha incertidumbre, mucho dolor para mucha gente, y este tiempo necesitamos procesarlo”.

El anuncio de las jornadas ignacianas captó la atención de los miembros de los equipos de evangelización organizadores de talleres y retiros, cursillistas, encuentros Emaús, pastoral familiar, pastoral juvenil, líderes de comunidades de base y catequistas que rápidamente se inscribieron y completaron el cupo para las sesiones presenciales sabatinas de seis horas que iniciaron el 27 de febrero y concluirán el 24 de julio próximo.

“Estos seis meses, ayudarán a los equipos pastorales a entrar en un proceso espiritual donde evaluemos nuestra vida y dirijamos nuestra oración para que, primero Dios, en la segunda mitad de este año nos sintamos reforzados y preparados para reanudar nuestras actividades”, anotó García.

Respecto a la particular programación de jornadas ignacianas, el coordinador dijo que el método ignaciano es “muy introspectivo”, “muy psicológico” y que “reta a la persona a echar un vistazo a su interior para verse tal como es”, y por

lo tanto resulta siendo un recurso “muy sanador”.

García destacó el papel de la presentadora, Ibis Centeno, quien dirigió por tres años consecutivos la Oficina de Espiritualidad Ignaciana para la Colaboración Jesuita en el Sureste de Estados Unidos. Centeno, experta en el método ignaciano, es actualmente coordinadora del Ministerio Juvenil Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

“Particularmente te puedo decir que la primera sesión que vivimos fue algo muy bello, y es un gran privilegio contar con una expositora como Ibis en nuestro vicariato”, subrayó.

Con el propósito de ampliar la participación a un mayor número de personas, los organizadores han planificado realizar adicionalmente una sesión mensual de dos horas por Zoom, una vez por mes, desde el lunes 8 de marzo, de siete a nueve de la noche.

En las sesiones virtuales, si bien la prioridad de inscripción es para los líderes de iglesia del Vicariato de Asheville, en caso de no completarse el cupo para la plataforma Zoom, los organizadores aceptarán participantes de otras regiones geográficas.

El coordinador indicó que, de preferencia, los participantes en las conferencias vía Zoom deben asistir a todas las sesiones, ya que ellas se encuentran estrechamente relacionadas y las reuniones previas son fundamento de las siguientes. Sin embargo, queda abierta la posibilidad para que nuevos participantes se integren progresivamente a la serie de conferencias.

Para registrarse en las jornadas ignacianas virtuales, debe enviar un mensaje de texto a Antonio García al (828) 713-3210, solicitando su inscripción. Tenga presente que las fechas programadas son 12 de abril, 3 de mayo, 7 de junio, 12 de julio y 9 de agosto. Recuerde que el cupo es limitado y solo podrán ingresar a la plataforma Zoom aquellos que se registren previamente y cuenten con el enlace autorizado.

Si tiene alguna otra consulta adicional, también puede escribir un correo electrónico a Antonio García a la dirección ministryhisp@gmail.com.

March 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

JUVENIL VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 10

que sea su tema el que salga”. Sin embargo, los temas se discuten profundamente, se termina con una votación democrática, “todo se resuelve amistosamente” y cada delegación escoge qué parte del libro le gustaría desarrollar.

Ya en el segundo taller cada diócesis presenta su trabajo, se discuten los aportes y hacen sugerencias. Finalmente, realizadas las correcciones, se publica el trabajo y realiza el tercer y último taller donde se entrega el libro y entrena a los jóvenes sobre la aplicación del mismo.

El tema de la Pascua Juvenil 2021 es la exhortación apostólica ‘Cristo Vive’, pero no todos los temas son espirituales. “Hay de todo”, dice Rodríguez, “cómo vivir la fe en acción, atrévete a ser santo, la familia.

Tratamos de caminar por donde va la Iglesia universal. Nos adaptamos al momento”.

¿PRESENCIAL O VIRTUAL?

Debido a la pandemia, los organizadores debieron adaptar las reuniones de presenciales a virtuales. Este hecho contribuyó a que muchos más jóvenes hayan podido participar en la ejecución del Libro de la Pascua. “La región es grande y regularmente se hacen los talleres en distintas ciudades de la región. En este último libro, sin necesidad de viajar, se han sumado diócesis que nunca antes habían participado”, dijo Rodríguez.

Sin embargo, tanto organizadores como participantes concuerdan que se extraña la confraternidad. SEPI cree conveniente implantar un modelo híbrido en el que la primera reunión, donde necesitan sumar

muchos participantes, sea virtual y los siguientes talleres sean presenciales pues, “tienen una gran riqueza en el compartir, en la eucaristía, en la confraternidad, en la fiesta. Eso es irremplazable”, subraya Juan José Rodríguez.

¿POR QUÉ UN LIBRO DE PASCUA?

“Tratamos de presentar el mensaje de la fe como un proceso de conversión. Pascua significa precisamente eso, el paso de la muerte a la vida, del pecado a la gracia.

Es un proceso de conversión que no tiene fin mientras estemos vivos. Uno se va convirtiendo hasta el último día de su vida, siempre es un ascenso. El libro tiene ese propósito, el de llevarnos a una vida nueva, a una vida de gracia. Y ese es el llamado principal de nuestra fe. Por eso el Libro de la Pascua es tan importante, por eso resuena tanto en los jóvenes”, explica Rodríguez.

Respecto a la próxima realización de talleres locales que reflejen el reciente Libro de la Pascua, Ibis Centeno precisó que regularmente se celebran en el tiempo de Pascua, al concluir la Semana Santa, pero que se encuentran a la espera de la invitación de los párrocos locales para realizar la Pascua Juvenil en sus parroquias.

“Ya los coordinadores de vicariato están trabajando en eso”, señaló.

“Hace más de ocho meses que los jóvenes no se reúnen en persona. Tenemos los mayores deseos de realizar un encuentro deportivo en agosto y progresivamente reanudar nuestras actividades presenciales”, añadió la coordinadora juvenil.

Para más información Infórmese sobre la Pastoral Juvenil escribiendo un correo a Ibis Centeno a la dirección icenteno@ charlottediocese.org.

HAVE YOU ANSWERED THE CALL TO SUPPORT THE DSA?

The purpose of the Diocesan Support Appeal (DSA) is to help provide the annual funding necessary to carry out the mission of our diocese – namely to fulfill our call to “grow ever more perfectly into a community of praise, worship, and witness, and to become a leaven of service and sign of peace through love in the Piedmont and western North Carolina.”

The DSA provides funding for 50 ministries and programs.

Lecturas Diarias 14-20 MARZO

Domingo (Cuarto Domingo de Cuaresma): 2 Crónicas 36:14-16, 19-23, Efesios 2:4-10, Juan 3:14-21; Lunes: Isaías 65:17-21, Juan 4:43-54; Martes: Ezequiel 47:1-9, 12, Juan 5:1-16; Miércoles (San Patricio): Isaías 49:8-15, Juan 5:17-30; Jueves (San Cirilo de Jerusalén): Éxodo 32:7-14, Juan 5:31-47; Viernes (San José): 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16, Romanos 4:13, 16-18, 22, Lucas 2:41-51a; Sábado: Jeremías 11:18-20, Juan 7:40-53

21-27 MARZO

Domingo (Quinto Domingo de Cuaresma): Ezequiel 37:12-14, Romanos 8:8-11, Juan 11:1-45; Lunes: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62, Juan 8:1-11; Martes: Números 21:4-9, Juan 8:21-30; Miércoles: Daniel 3:14-20, 49-50, 91-92, 95, Juan 8:3142; Jueves (La Anunciación del Señor): Isaías 7:10-14, Hebreos 10:4-10, Lucas 1:26-38; Viernes: Jeremías 20:10-13, Juan 10:31-42; Sábado: Ezequiel 37:21-28, Juan 11:45-56

MARZO-3 ABRIL

‘La Anunciación’, óleo sobre lienzo de Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. Sevilla, España (1617-1682). Imagen cortesía del Museo del Prado, Madrid.

Domingo (Domingo de Ramos): Marcos 11:1-10, Isaías 50:4-7, Filipenses 2:6-11, Marcos 14:1-15, 47; Lunes: Isaías 42:1-7, Juan 12:1-11; Martes: Isaías 49:1-6, Juan 13:21-33, 36-38; Miércoles Santo: Isaías 50:4-9a, Mateo 26:14-25; Jueves Santo: Isaías 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9, Apocalipsis 1:5-8, Lucas 4:16-21; Viernes Santo: Isaías 52:13-53,12, Hebreos 4:14-16, 5:7-9, Juan 18:1-19, 42; Sábado (Vigilia Pascual): Génesis 1:1-2, 2, Génesis 22:1-18, Éxodo 14:15, 15:1, Isaías 54:5-14, Isaías 55:1-11, Baruch 33:9-15, 32, 4:4, Ezequiel 36:16-17a, 18-28, Romanos 6:3-11, Marcos 16:1-7

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

When we make our annual contribution to the DSA, we join with all our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the diocese to do the Lord’s work – works of love and service that no one individual or parish can do alone.

WAYS TO GIVE

ONLINE: charlottediocese.org/dsa TEXT: “DSA” to 704-389-2096 ENVELOPE: mail pledge card to diocese or contact your parish office QR CODE:

Thank You for your 2021 DSA donation which will be credited to your parish!

DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE

11

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iiiMarch 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

FROM TH

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: TH

Parishes host vaccine clinics in under-served areas SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Churches are places of hope and healing – and now that mission is being leveraged to connect under-served communities with access to COVID-19 vaccines to fight the pandemic.

Parishes in Charlotte, Greensboro and Thomasville are among those teaming up with local healthcare providers to host COVID-19 vaccination drives as vaccine supplies become available.

Among the first to host a vaccination clinic was Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Charlotte Feb. 11 and March 11, when more than 270 people turned out to receive their first and second doses of the vaccine.

“The first day we did it here was on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb. 11, which in the Church is the International Day of the Sick,” said Our Lady of Guadalupe’s pastor, Vincentian Father Gregory Gay. “One of the ways we can pray for our sick and do everything we can to care for our sick is to get the vaccine.”

Father Gay was among those getting the COVID-19 vaccine at his parish-sponsored clinic, organized by the parish’s health ministry and Atrium Health.

Atrium’s community health project manager, Rita Dominguez, noted, “As part of our ‘Community Immunity for All’ collaborative, we partner with community organizations trusted in under-served communities to bring the resources, services and support. We want to eliminate barriers, such as transportation and internet access, required to make an appointment.”

All three priests at the diocese’s largest Latino-majority parish have emphasized the importance of receiving the vaccine, Father Gay said, recalling Pope Francis’ New Year’s Day message about creating a culture of care.

“We have also encouraged the people as the U.S. bishops said. We’re not obliging people, but as they said, it is an act of charity and solidarity to get vaccinated,” he said.

“That is why I wanted to get the vaccine.

We come into contact with lots of people – I don’t want to infect anyone. One of the ways to prevent that was to get the vaccine myself.”

Witnessing people from the community coming in to get their vaccinations made Claudia Carcamo emotional. Carcamo, the parish’s safety and environment coordinator, said providing the opportunity to help the under-served Latino population near the church was “a relief.”

One elderly couple who came in for their shots needed assistance getting in and out of the church, she recalled. “It was emotional because you see that situation, they need help.

I’m glad to know that the parish can provide this service. We are always trying to do the best, because God is teaching us how to be the best servers for the community.”

Also helping to connect their local Latino community with access to the vaccines was Our Lady of the Highways Church in Thomasville, which hosted a vaccination clinic March 6 in conjunction with Thomasville Pediatrics and the Davidson County Health Department. Nearly 600 first doses of the Pfizer vaccine were administered.

Father Gabriel Carvajal Salazar said parishioners were less fearful because they

were able to learn about and receive the vaccine in the comfort and familiarity of their home church.

Besides offering familiarity and a trusted source of information, churches are often more accessible and located in under-served areas compared to hospitals, health clinics and doctors’ offices.

Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte, whose health ministry has already built a strong partnership with Atrium Health to provide monthly COVID-19 testing and information, partnered with neighboring C.N. Jenkins Presbyterian Church to host a vaccination clinic March 5. Atrium Health was able to administer 350 doses that day.

The churches’ locations on Statesville

‘We’re not obliging people, but as (the U.S. bishops) said, it is an act of charity and solidarity to get vaccinated. That is why I wanted to get the vaccine.

We come into contact with lots of people – I don’t want to infect anyone.’

Vincentian Father Gregory Gay

Pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Charlotte

Avenue in Charlotte make them ideal sites for a vaccination outreach effort, organizers said.

Not only are they familiar and nearby, but they are smaller and less intimidating than large-scale vaccination sites – particularly for the elderly, people who do not drive or people who feel uncomfortable going to large venues.

“A lot of these folks in this neighborhood don’t drive to Bank of America Stadium or to the Charlotte Motor Speedway, so it’s good to have this very close to them,” said Ron Berry, health ministry leader at Our Lady of Consolation Parish.

“They do trust the church. They do trust the leadership,” added C.N. Jenkins Presbyterian’s pastor, Dr. Jerry Cannon. “And we have centers nearby where seniors reside, so we want to make sure that is our main target, for seniors 65 and above. (At our location) Atrium Health is able to take care of our seniors so they don’t have to wait three hours in a car.”

Berry said he hopes the effort to provide vaccines will help give parishioners the confidence to return to church soon.

OLC’s pastor, Father Basile Sede, agreed,

Vincentian Father Gregory Gay, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Charlotte, received his first dose of the C hosted vaccination clinics for more than 270 people Feb. 11 and March 11. noting, “The vaccination is one way we can all help to restore activities and engagement in a safe and healthy manner so that we can support the financial, emotional, physical and spiritual welfare of all individuals who have been and continue to be challenged by the ills of COVID-19.”

Long after the pandemic ends, Cannon said, he hopes churches’ partnership with local healthcare providers can continue, providing health clinics, medical care and information for people who live in under-served communities.

“When we see we have an opportunity to bridge the gap and provide that service, let’s not wait for the hospitals or the health department to take initiative,” he said.

“Let’s use the faith community and the houses of worship to say, ‘This is what we are going to do’ – and lead.”

HE COVER

March 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

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HE COVID-19 VACCINE

s

Bishop Jugis offers guidance on COVID-19 vaccine CNH: With people around the world beginning to get vaccinations against COVID-19 – including both Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI – are you hopeful churches will soon be able to return to normal?

Bishop Jugis: We are all thankful for the availability and benefits of the vaccines. It has been a difficult year for everyone and people are looking forward to getting back to church, particularly with Holy Week and Easter just a few weeks away. Our churches will continue their operations with limits on capacity and safety measures in place, until we believe based on health experts’ guidance it is safe to resume normal operations. We pray that will be soon.

CNH: Some people have raised concerns about vaccines developed using cell lines derived from abortions that occurred decades ago. Do you share those concerns?

Bishop Jugis: First, let me say it is encouraging to see the faithful’s sensitivity to this moral question. This is a sign that the Gospel of Life is forming their consciences.

Because our lives are a gift from God, we have an obligation to take care of them. That is the very goal of a vaccine.

Questions about the origin of vaccines are not new since the fetal cell lines you reference have been used in the testing and production of other vaccines. The moral concern people have is whether they are somehow complicit in an act of abortion by receiving a vaccine

developed using cell lines distantly linked to an abortion. In this instance, the answer is no. The Church teaches that a vaccine recipient’s participation in the act of abortion would be passive, material and remote. In other words, someone Jugis who receives a COVID-19 vaccine would not be morally complicit in the original act of abortion. Nevertheless, we do have an obligation to speak out against moral evils that have been woven into the fabric of our society, as in this case, the abortions used to initiate some of the cell lines that remain in use today.

you aren’t certain you can get access to the preferred options, it is acceptable to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine given its remote connection to abortion. And the conference of bishops has said getting the vaccine “is an act of charity that serves the common good.”

CNH: Which vaccine should people consider getting?

CNH: What if someone does not want to take any vaccine?

Bishop Jugis: Whenever possible, it is best to choose a vaccine that is ethically produced, and it is important to note that most of the COVID-19 vaccines in development do not use fetal cell lines at all. Of the three vaccines currently available in this country, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has recommended, “If one has the ability to choose…, Pfizer or Moderna’s vaccines should be chosen over Johnson & Johnson’s.”

This is because the cell lines derived from aborted tissue were used in the production of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, while the other two vaccines used those cell lines only in some laboratory testing. However, if

Bishop Jugis: Vaccination must be a voluntary decision. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith guides that, “From the ethical point of view, the morality of vaccination depends not only on the duty to protect one’s own health, but also on the duty to pursue the common good.” For those who refuse vaccines for moral or other reasons, the Congregation urges that they “do their utmost” through their behavior to avoid spreading the virus. “In particular,” the Congregation said, “they must avoid any risk to the health of those who cannot be vaccinated for medical or other reasons, and who are the most vulnerable.”

CNH: If the connection to abortion is remote, why are some bishops raising concerns about vaccine production?

Bishop Jugis: They are reminding us that one cannot in good conscience just receive the benefit of a vaccine and then ignore the ethical problems associated with its development and production. We have a responsibility to press government, public health authorities and manufacturers to develop and provide ethically-produced vaccines.

In Brief Bishops address concern over J&J vaccine’s abortion link

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ATRIUM HEALTH

COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 11, the World Day of the Sick. His parish

Father Gabriel Carvajal Salazar joined those receiving a COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic hosted at Our Lady of the Highways Church in Thomasville March 6.

Almost 600 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were administered during the clinic, sponsored by Thomasville Pediatrics and the Davidson County Health Department.

JOE THORNTON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, approved Feb. 27 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, raises moral concerns because it “was developed, tested and is produced with abortion-derived cell lines,” the chairmen of two U.S. bishops’ committees said March 2. The bishops concluded, however, that “while we should continue to insist that pharmaceutical companies stop using abortionderived cell lines, given the world-wide suffering that this pandemic is causing, we affirm again that being vaccinated can be an act of charity that serves the common good.” Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, made the comments in a joint statement.

Without alternatives, all current vaccines are morally acceptable VATICAN CITY — The Vatican’s doctrinal office said when alternative vaccines are not available, it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines developed or tested using cell lines originating from aborted fetuses. However, “the licit use of such vaccines does not and should not in any way imply that there is a moral endorsement of the use of cell lines proceeding from aborted fetuses,” said the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. “Both pharmaceutical

Learn more online companies and governmental health agencies are therefore encouraged to produce, approve, distribute and offer ethically acceptable vaccines that do not create problems of conscience for either health care providers or the people to be vaccinated,” it added in a Dec. 21 note “on the morality of using some anti-COVID-19 vaccines.”

Vatican calls for equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution VATICAN CITY — The Vatican’s coronavirus commission and the Pontifical Academy for Life issued a joint statement calling for a coordinated international effort to ensure the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. The document highlights the “critical role of vaccines to defeat the pandemic, not just for individual personal health but to protect the health of all,” the Vatican said in a statement accompanying the document Dec. 29. “The Vatican commission and the Pontifical Academy of Life remind world leaders that vaccines must be provided to all fairly and equitably, prioritizing those most in need,” the Vatican said. Pope Francis established the COVID-19 commission in April with the goal of expressing “the Church’s concern and love for the entire human family in the face of the of COVID-19 pandemic.” The new document issued a set of objectives, particularly around making the vaccines “available and accessible to all.” Part of that process, the document said, would be to consider how to reward those who developed the vaccine and repay “the research costs and risks companies have taken on,” while also recognizing the vaccine “as a good to which everyone should have access, without discrimination.”

— Catholic News Service

n WANT A QUICKREAD SUMMARY ON THIS ISSUE? Read the U.S. bishops’ two-pager “Answers to Key Ethical Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines,” online at www. catholicnewsherald.com. n COMPARE THE VACCINES: Find out which of the 8 COVID-19 vaccines that received federal funding or have been submitted to the FDA for emergency use approval have unethical sources – courtesy of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the scientific research arm of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List. Go to www. lozierinstitute.org. n GOT A QUESTION FOR AN ETHICIST? Check out the National Catholic Bioethics Center’s website for a free, confidential hotline and online form to get answers. The site has easy-to-find information on a wide range of life issues – from conception to natural death. Look them up at www. ncbcenter.org.

Mix 14

catholicnewsherald.com | March 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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In theaters

Beethoven and the Agony in the Garden ‘Christus am Ölberge’ voices suffering, prayer, and eventual peace CHRISTINA L. REITZ, PH.D. SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘Tom & Jerry’ More than 80 years after their creation

by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the cat and mouse of the title remain natural-born enemies in their latest comedic adventure, a blend of live action and computer-generated animation. When rodent Jerry takes up residence behind the floorboards of a posh New York hotel, a new employee (Chloe Grace Moretz) is charged with removing the unwelcome creature. She joins forces with feline Tom, who needs no incentive to capture his prey, and merry chaos ensues. Director Tim Story serves up a family-friendly mix of slapstick and benign mayhem, with messages about honesty and friendship thrown in for good measure. Cartoonish violence, some childish bathroom humor, a mild oath.

CNS: A-I (general patronage); MPAA: PG

‘Blithe Spirit’ As part of the research for a screenplay he’s writing, a celebrated crime novelist (Dan Stevens) invites a well-meaning but inept medium (Judi Dench) to conduct a seance at his home, during which she unwittingly conjures up the specter of his late wife (Leslie Mann), significantly complicating his relationship with his current spouse (Ilsa Fisher). Screenwriters Nick Moorcroft, Meg Leonard and Piers Ashworth use their source material, Noel Coward’s classic 1941 stage comedy, as no more than a springboard, ill-advisedly substituting their merely serviceable dialogue for Coward’s sparkling exchanges, displacing his urbane wit in favor of broad physical humor and introducing bedroomthemed jokes as flat as they are gratuitous.

All that remains, under Edward Hall’s direction, are lovely-to-look-at Art Deco interiors and pleasant panoramas of the English countryside. Comically-treated occult activity, drug use, a couple of scenes of marital intimacy, sexual humor and references, including an impotency theme, at least one use of profanity, a few milder oaths.

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

Other Movies n ‘The House That Rob Built’: CNS: A-I (general patronage); MPAA: Not Rated n ‘The Mauritanian’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R

Lent is meant to be a season of penance and reflection. Depending on the circumstances in which we find ourselves, some years can be starkly more poignant, when we have the opportunity to unite our own suffering with those of Christ’s. Such was the case for Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), a Catholic who leaned on his faith throughout his life. His oratorio “Christus am Ölberge,” Op. 85 (1803), depicting the Agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, was composed not long after he learned that his deafness would get worse and there was no cure. The famous composer must have contemplated the cross he was being asked to bear – uniting himself to Christ’s own emotional agony.

An oratorio is a genre with its roots in Baroque Italy that served as a substitution for opera, which was banned during Advent and Lent in Catholic regions.

The subject of early oratorios often presented a story of sacrifice to complement the penitential seasons – for example, Giacomo Carissimi’s “Jephte,” where the title character sacrifices his daughter as told in the Book of Judges. The word “oratorio” comes from the prayer halls, or oratories, where such works were initially performed. By Beethoven’s time, oratorios kept the religious texts but had moved to the concert stage.

Beethoven was trained from an early age to be a professional musician, beginning piano lessons so young he had to stand on the bench to even reach the keys. By the time he moved to Vienna, he was becoming famous as a virtuoso pianist and improvisor.

He started losing his hearing in 1797 and within a few years, it was evident the condition was worsening.

Trained in only one way to support himself, he feared that the loss of his hearing would be catastrophic.

In 1802, he penned the heartbreaking “Heiligenstadt Testament,” a letter to his brothers to be read after his death that detailed the emotional anguish and isolation in which he found himself. The letter dates to the year prior to “Christus am Ölberge,” and thus, the connection between the suffering of Christ and his own make the work all the more powerful.

“Christus am Ölberge” was composed quickly in a few weeks.

It is scored for orchestra, chorus and three soloists: Soprano (Seraph), Tenor (Christ), and Bass (Peter). Following an orchestral introduction, the opening recitative and aria depict Christ’s agony and emotional prayer in the garden. The English translation, by Timothy Adès in the 2020 recording by Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra, reads: “Jehovah! My Father! Send me strength and solace. The hour of my Passion draws near. I chose it, before the world was formed at your command. I hear your Seraph’s voice of thunder calling.

Who will stand in Man’s place before your judgment? Here am I to intercede. I alone expiate the guilt of men. How could this race, made from dust, endure a judgment that bears me, your Son, to the ground? See how my heart is wracked by sorrow and mortal dread. Father, I suffer! Have mercy on me!”

The aria begins in the key of C minor – a tonality frequently found in Beethoven’s dramatic works (such as the famous Fifth Symphony). The orchestral notes move quickly to paint the trembling soul of our Lord. Christ’s anxiety is described in text as well as in music through the fast, nervous melodies and simmering orchestral passages below.

The section peaks in volume and tension describing the blood He is sweating (“Blut”). The subsequent passage substitutes the anxious mood with a plea by Christ asking His Father to “take this cup of suffering (‘Leidenskelch’) from me.” Both sections of text are repeated, but in the final utterance of “Leidenskelch,” Beethoven composes an ornate melisma to highlight the cup of suffering – one he knew all too well.

Although the text was arranged by Franz Xaver Huber, Beethoven could scarcely have missed the parallels between his own intense suffering and eventual peace with that of his Savior’s.

What is particularly fascinating about this aria is that the listener is experiencing not only the human side of Christ with the anxiety

“Agony in the Garden” by Giulio Cesare Procaccini (c.

1616-1620), on display at the Museo del Prado in Madrid and desperation that accompanies the trials of mortal life, but simultaneously Beethoven’s. Anyone who has suffered prolonged physical, mental or spiritual agony will be able to relate to this theme in “Christus am Ölberge.”

Deacon Dr. David Ramsey, who serves at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Franklin and also works as a physician, comments on Beethoven’s loss of hearing: “Reflecting on my own hearing loss, I can fully empathize with the impact on this great composer of the critical loss of his sense of hearing. With my new hearing aids, I can appreciate again hearing birds chirp and the sound of gravel under my feet. Over the years I have had the privilege of treating and sharing in the sufferings of many ailments with my patients, and been there with those who have died. Lent highlights our mortality as ashes are placed on our heads and the priest or deacon refrains, ‘Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.’ Jesus broke this barrier of death by His Passion, death and Resurrection for us.

In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the great prayer of the Church, we experience Jesus uniting Himself with us in our humanity, as we unite with Him in His divinity. While suffering through the rapid loss of his hearing, Beethoven wrote one of his greatest works, ‘Missa Solemnis,’ to the glory of the Mass. At the ‘Sanctus’ a solo violin plays at its highest range, representing the Holy Spirit. Despite reports of Beethoven’s wavering from the faith, he received the last rites, the anointing of the sick, and a Catholic funeral Mass. It is through our steadfast devotions as Catholic Christians that we are offered the assured hope through Christ of eternal life.”

CHRISTINA L. REITZ, Ph.D., is professor of music at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

Listen online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Listen to the first aria of Beethoven’s “Christus am Ölberge” (“Christ on the Mount of Olives”)

March 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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On TV n Friday, March 12, 11:30 a.m. (EWTN) “St. Teresa of Avila.” An illuminating docudrama examining the life of the 16th Century saint and mystic Teresa of Avila. n Saturday, March 13, 2 p.m. (EWTN) “Patrick’s Peak: An Irish Pilgrimage.” Take a prayerful pilgrimage along Ireland’s scenic west coast as Bob Dolan follows St. Patrick’s path up the famous Croagh Patrick to ask God’s blessing for his work establishing the Irish Catholic Church.

Three new books explain pope’s approach to facing world’s tribulations JAN KILBY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

New books by Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of over 1 billion Catholics and a worldwide leader, provide guidance and encouragement for readers.

“Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future” by Pope Francis and Austen Ivereigh offers hope to readers coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises of our time. The authors suggest how to view crises, discern how to deal with them and then take action.

In their prologue, Pope Francis and Ivereigh identify some contemporary crises. They assure readers, however, that God’s mercy will always help them cope. They state that “times of trial” are opportunities for “purification.” They say that these can help people mature and change their priorities.

Early in the book, they urge people facing a crisis in what they call a culture of “individualism and self-obsession” to “commit to the small, concrete, positive actions.” They assert this is better than responding selfishly or despairing.

They cite recent events signaling a societal call for change. These include the #MeToo movement, the protests over racial injustice after the death of George Floyd while in police custody and the anti-racist protests resulting in the removal of statues.

The pope also shares three of his own personal crises.

In the second part, the authors encourage readers to discern the best actions to take in a challenging time.

This requires openness, prayer and reflection, and valuing “fraternity over individualism.”

Finally, they suggest how to act on one’s beliefs. This involves respecting universal human rights and values.

The authors’ epilogue contains their advice to readers to let themselves be transformed by the current crises and be of service. They also include an inspiring poem. Ivereigh in a postscript describes how and why the book was written. “Let Us Dream” offers profound, practical and timely advice about surviving turbulent times.

In “Our Mother Earth: A Christian Reading of the Challenge of the Environment,” Pope Francis calls everyone to honor God’s gift of nature. He says that this can reduce pollution, climate change, the loss of biodiversity and the exploitation of resources.

The book includes a preface by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, two opening essays on the pope’s theology of ecology, ideas from 12 of his past encyclicals, audiences and homilies on the subject and a final new essay.

In his first two essays, Pope Francis calls

for “global cooperation” to protect nature.

He says new policies, programs and habits can help do this.

In his collection of past works, the pope reminds readers that “the future of all nations is interconnected.” He also says the earth’s resources are gifts and not simply to be used for greed, consumption and profit. He calls Christians to an “ecological conversion,” quoting his 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.”

In his final essay, the pope suggests what can give readers hope for a better future – technology, a commitment to conversion, the liturgy and “a universal brotherhood.”

“Letters of Tribulation” by Pope Francis, with Jesuit Fathers Antonio Spadaro and Diego Fares, is a new version of the pope’s 1987 book of the same title.

In the original book, the pope – then a Jesuit priest in Argentina – shared a spiritual approach to dealing with difficulties, based on letters that 18thcentury Jesuit superiors general had sent to their bishops coping with persecution.

This had led to the Vatican’s suppression of their order in several countries from 1758 to 1831.

The pope’s expanded 2020 book includes a modern tribulation – the sexual abuse of minors and the abuse of power by priests and others in Church leadership roles.

In it, he includes letters that he sent to the bishops and the Church and the people of God in Chile in 2018. He had been prompted to write these after reading a Vatican report of 2018 on the problems of clerical sexual abuse there. These showed his desire to restore public trust in the Church and Church leaders’ integrity with themselves and to heal abuse victims.

The book reveals the spiritual discernment needed by those facing persecution from “cultural and historic events.” The pope says this can help people avoid temptations to “argue over ideas, to not give to the matter the importance that it should be given, to concentrate too much on the persecutors and to keep going over the desolation of one’s mind.” Instead, he says to “move toward virtue and spiritual perfection” and suggests ways to do so.

Books featuring Pope Francis n “Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future” by Pope Francis and Austen Ivereigh.

Simon and Schuster (New York, 2020). 160 pp., $26. n “Our Mother Earth: A Christian Reading of the Challenge of the Environment” by Pope Francis. Our Sunday Visitor (Huntington, Ind., 2020). 103 pp., $16.95. n “Letters of Tribulation” by Pope Francis, with Father Antonio Spadaro, SJ, and Father Diego Fares, SJ. Orbis Books (Maryknoll, N.Y., 2020). 144 pp., $20.

n Saturday, March 13, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Martin de Porres.” Born out of wedlock to a mixed-race couple, St. Martin de Porres overcame prejudice and gained acceptance throughout his entire life simply by using love and humility. An EWTN original film. n Wednesday, March 17, 6:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Saints of Europe: St. Patrick.” On his travels throughout Europe to explore the lives of our most beloved saints. Father Bernard McGuckian visits Ireland where legend has it that St. Patrick ascended to confront the Druids.

n Wednesday, March 17, 11:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Trial at Tara.” The classic 1953 film starring Richard Hale as St. Patrick. At trial, Patrick proclaims his belief in Church teaching, the Trinity and the Blessed Virgin, earning the support of the queen and many others. n Saturday, March 20, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Romero.” This film follows the dramatic change of St. Oscar Romero from meek, apolitical priest to fierce champion for the people battling social injustice and oppression in El Salvador. n Thursday, March 25, 11:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of the Annunciation.” The Solemn Mass of the Annunciation marks one of our most important feasts, celebrating the news delivered to Mary that she would become the mother of Our Savior.

Formation Program for the Permanent Diaconate

If you are interested in the possibility of being formed as a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Charlotte, you must make initial contact with Deacon Ed Konarski at Edward.Konarski@charlottediocese.org by July 15, 2021.

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 website at https://charlottediocese.org/permanent-diaconate/permanent-diaconate/ and then clicking on Application Norms.

DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE

Our schools 16

catholicnewsherald.com | March 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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Sisters of St. Joseph retiring from 2 Triad schools PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

In Brief Teacher retirements announced CHARLOTTE — The principals of St. Ann and Our Lady of the Assumption schools recently announced their upcoming retirements. Kathy McKinney from St. Ann and Allana-Rae Ramkissoon from OLA will both retire at the end of this school year.

McKinney has served in the Diocese of Charlotte since 1997, first working as a kindergarten teacher at St. Patrick School in Charlotte. Ramkissoon has worked for the diocese since 2005 and has served as OLA’s principal since 2008.

The search for a second assistant superintendent also continues, to succeed Debbie Mixer, who retired at the end of 2020.

School leaders hope to have the positions filled by the end of this school year.

— Catholic News Herald

ACS scientists earn honors ASHEVILLE — Several Asheville Catholic School students recently placed at the Western Regional Science Fair and are moving on to state competition: n Sam Lordi: first place, Grades 3-5 Physics and Math n Avery Mueller and Charles Palmeri: second place, Grades 3-5 Chemistry n Owen Beardsley: first place, Grades 6-8 Biological Sciences n Dylan Vigue: first place, Grades 6-8 Technology n Frank Palmeri: second place, Grades 6-8 Technology The following students were also recognized: n Jayden Nguyen and Ethan Bermudez: third place, Grades 3-5 Chemistry n Grier Case: honorable mention, Grades 3-5 Engineering/Technology n Sara Jimenez: honorable mention, Grades 3-5 Biological Sciences n Ava Westmoreland: honorable mention, Grades 3-5 Physics/Math n Olivia Westmoreland and Sophia Olinger: Honorable mention, Grades 6-8 Biological Science n Anna Ruth Brookshire: Third Place, Grades 6-8 Chemistry n Nina Jung: Third Place, Grades 6-8 Earth and Environmental Science

Gober and Principal Gary Callus. “Their charism as Sisters of St. Joseph has been more than teaching – they have imbued our schools with love for God and others.

Throughout their years of service, the sisters have become members of our families, taught thousands of students,

WINSTON-SALEM — After a combined 80 years of service, three Sisters of St. Joseph will retire from St. Leo School and Bishop McGuinness High School at the end of June.

Sister Anne Thomas Taylor, Sister John Christopher “JC” Tate and Sister Emma Yondura have been called to return to the Sisters of St. Joseph’s motherhouse in Chestnut Hill, Pa., near Philadelphia, the religious order’s leader announced “with both sadness and gratitude” in a recent letter to Bishop Peter Jugis.

Noting their years of service – and Taylor Tate Yondura the Sisters of St. Joseph’s central role in founding both schools – Congregational President Sister Maureen Erdlen, SSJ, told the bishop it was with mentored fellow teachers, and exemplified “both sadness and gratitude” that she Christian discipleship.” shared this decision. “It seems that once Sister Yondura has taught in the Diocese they arrive in North Carolina, our sisters of Charlotte for four decades, first at St. never want to leave – a sentiment I know Ann School in Charlotte from 1973 to you can well appreciate.”

1978. She then taught at St. Leo School Sister Erdlen said the retirement is from 1981 to 1987, and returned in 1992. necessary so the religious community can First-graders have been her love since she attend to the sisters’ long-term care needs. began teaching, and multiple generations “We are grateful for the kindness and of students have passed through her care these sisters, and their predecessors, classroom. In 2015, she retired from have provided for generations of students,” teaching first grade and since then has run parish and school leaders said in a joint the afterschool program. announcement March 5. “Since their “It is with tears in my eyes that I prepare arrival to the diocese in 1943, the Sisters to leave,” Sister Yondura told the Catholic of St. Joseph have been integral to the News Herald. She said she would keep founding and flourishing of our schools: praying for students, and hopes for their Villa Maria Anna Academy in 1949, St. Leo prayers in return. “I want them to do the School in 1953 and Bishop McGuinness best that they can do, as God is calling High School in 1959.” them to do,” she said.

“The sisters have been role models for Sister Taylor came to Bishop what it means to give oneself to others McGuinness in 1996, serving first as a through a vocation to religious life,” said music teacher, then for 20 years as dean the joint announcement, signed by Bishop of students. She also helped build up the McGuinness’ chaplain Father Noah Carter school’s theater arts offerings from an and Interim Principal George Boschini, extracurricular program into its own and St. Leo’s pastor Father Christopher department.

The high school “is a wonderful, wonderful place,” Sister Taylor said. “It’s sad that our presence will not be there physically, but the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph will always be there. Our charism, the hospitality and the warmth will always be there.”

Sister Tate came to Bishop McGuinness in 2001. She taught chemistry full-time for many years, then served as a substitute teacher in the science department and as attendance coordinator.

“I’ve really enjoyed teaching, and I love Bishop,” she said, but after 57 years in education, she added wryly, “I figured it was time to hang up my school shoes and go on to something different.”

In the announcement from the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sister Erdlen said the order does not have anyone available to replace the three sisters. School leaders said they “are exploring ways to continue our relationship through periodic visits and special projects.”

Other Sisters of St. Joseph continue to serve in the diocese: Sister Joan William Pearson, a former student of both St. Leo and Bishop McGuinness who has served the Hispanic community in North Carolina since 1996; Sister Janis McQuade, pastoral associate at St. Stephen Church in Elkin since 2006; and Sister Geri Rogers, who taught at Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem for 17 years before becoming the principal in 2007.

Endowment being established Bishop McGuinness High School is establishing a “Sisters of St. Joseph Endowment.” If you are interested in contributing to this fund in honor of the Sisters of St. Joseph, please contact Katie Williams, the school’s director of advancement, at 336-564-1009 or kwilliams@bmhs.us for more information.

‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ ASHEVILLE — Students at Asheville Catholic School celebrated Dr. Seuss during National Read Across America Day March 2. Dr. Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, was born on March 2, 1904, and in 1998 the National Education Association designated every March 2 as “Read Across America Day” to encourage children to read.

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

March 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

KNIGHT FROM PAGE 6

marshal, traveling all over North Carolina.

“He would drive around with the state deputy, going from the mountains to the coast, to promote the Knights,” says Sergio Miranda, current state treasurer and grand knight of Council 770. “We don’t think that’s unusual today, but a black man and white man driving around from place to place raised some eyebrows in the ’60s and ’70s.”

Hunt was tireless in his efforts to serve the Church and his community as a Eucharistic minister, a leader of the parish Men’s Group and as a Boy Scout troop leader – all while caring for his family, including his wife Mary, who suffered serious health problems, and their two children, Cheryle and Jeff. He and Mary celebrated 46 years of marriage before her death in 2004.

The close-knit fraternity and principles of charity and unity promoted by the Knights of Columbus greatly appealed to Hunt. He occupied all of the Knights’ council and assembly roles, including grand knight from 1997 to 1999 – earning the tongue-in-cheek title of “Worthy Past Everything” and winning the North Carolina Golden Knight of the Year Award in 2018.

Though he was honored to receive the recognition, it wasn’t what motivated him.

“Accolades are nice, but he didn’t live for those things,” says Jeff, who was knighted by his father when he received his own Fourth Degree.

Hunt lived to serve others, and his talents for cooking and conversation are remembered by all those who knew him.

He especially loved organizing and catering events and fundraisers for the residents of Holy Angels in Belmont, N.C., a home run by the Sisters of Mercy for people with intellectual developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions.

When he grew too frail to command the

PHOTO PROVIDED

Fellow Knights gathered for a wake and funeral Mass Feb. 20 for Joseph Hunt Sr., the first African American member of the Knights of Columbus in North Carolina.

kitchen during Holy Angels’ Christmas dinner with Santa, everyone still wanted him there. He was a comfort and an expert for all their questions, but he couldn’t just sit there; he did a little cutting and chopping, too.

“My father didn’t see color, financial or economic status, he just treated everyone the same, and he wanted everyone to feel the same,” says Jeff. “Even after he retired, our clients would say, ‘Bring your father; we just want him there.’ They wanted his presence.”

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

Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte

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Our nation 18

catholicnewsherald.com | March 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief COVID-19 legislation OK’d without Hyde language to prevent abortion funding WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Rescue Plan Act pits the great need Americans have for economic relief in this pandemic against those who insist the legislation must include abortion funding, said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the chairmen of seven USCCB committees. “Our nation needs to heal, come together and help one another. The is an important step in the right direction,” the prelates said March 5 in a joint statement. “However, we are deeply concerned that this important legislation,

as written, risks creating new divisions by abandoning a long-standing bipartisan compromise that respects the consciences of millions of Americans.” The bishops were referring to Hyde Amendment language, left out of the legislation for the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package expected to be approved by Congress this week. The amendment outlaws federal tax dollars from directly funding abortion except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the woman would be endangered.

On March 7, the U.S. Senate passed its version of the COVID-19 relief package 50-49, and it was expected to pass a final vote in the House March 10 before being signed into law by President Joe Biden. Ahead of the first vote in the House, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and the House Rules Committee for refusing to allow a vote on adding language to the bill “to ensure that taxpayers aren’t forced to subsidize abortion,” as provided by the Hyde Amendment.

U.S. House passes Equality Act WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House of

Representatives passed the Equality Act in a 224-206 vote Feb. 25. A couple days ahead of the vote, the chairmen of five U.S. bishops’ committees said its mandates will “discriminate against people of faith” by adversely affecting charities and their beneficiaries, conscience rights, women’s sports, “and sex-specific facilities.” The bill, known as H.R. 5 and recently reintroduced in the House, also will provide for taxpayer funding of abortion and limit freedom of speech, the chairmen said in a Feb. 23 letter to all members of Congress. H.R. 5 amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit and jury duty. “Human dignity is central to what Catholics believe,” they said, and the Church serves “all people, without regard to race, religion or any other characteristic. Rather than affirm human dignity in ways that meaningfully exceed existing practical protections, the Equality Act would discriminate against people of faith,” they said.

Remains of Father Kapaun, Korean War chaplain, identified WICHITA, Kan. — A U.S. government forensic team announced March 4 it has identified the remains of Father Emil Kapaun, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, who was an Army chaplain and died in a Chinese prisoner-of-war camp during the Korean War. Father Kapaun, a native of Pilsen, Kansas, who is a candidate for sainthood, was an U.S. Army Chaplain in World War II and the Korean War. “It was a joyful and exciting surprise for the Diocese of Wichita that

Father Kapaun’s mortal remains were recovered after so many years and we continue to look forward to his process of canonization in the future,” said Wichita Bishop Carl A. Kemme.

The U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, known as the DPAA, made the announcement about the priest’s remains. The DPAA recently concluded Father Kapaun was among the unidentified soldiers buried in the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. Remains of many U.S. soldiers were moved from North Korean burial sites to Hawaii in the 1950s and the 1990s. Details regarding the transport of the priest’s remains and his final resting place are now being planned by the family.

Newark cardinal joins Congregation for Bishops VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has named Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, N.J., a member of the Congregation for Bishops, the office that advises the pope on the nomination of bishops around the world. Cardinal Tobin, 68, takes the place left vacant by U.S. Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, retired archbishop of Washington, who turned 80 in November and automatically ceded his membership. The congregation is led

by Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, its prefect.

Nuncios, or Vatican ambassadors, around the world conduct the initial search for priests suitable for the office of bishop and forward their names to the congregation. Congregation members review the biographies of potential candidates and the comments and recommendations collected by the nuncios before making their recommendations IN BRIEF, SEE PAGE 19

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.

March 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

IN BRIEF FROM PAGE 18

to the pope. The congregation also advises the pope on the establishment of new dioceses or the consolidation of old ones; advises bishops’ conferences on their work; coordinates the joint activities of military ordinaries around the world; and organizes the “ad limina” visits that bishops regularly make to the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses.

Biden begins talks with Mexico touching on immigration, Virgin of Guadalupe CHALATENANGO, El Salvador — U.S. President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador began bilateral cooperation talks March 1 with a focus on limiting immigration to the U.S. and a talk about Our Lady of Guadalupe. “In Mexico we had a president who dominated the country for 34 years, his name was Porfirio Díaz, who said ‘poor Mexico, so far from God and so close to the United States,’” López Obrador told Biden during the meeting conducted by videoconference. “Now I can say that it is wonderful for Mexico to be close to God and not so far from the United States.” Biden reportedly told López Obrador that while the two nations have not always been the best of friends, under his administration the U.S. would treat Mexico

as its equal. In an earlier readout of a January call between the two leaders, the White House said Biden and López Obrador had “agreed to work closely to stem the flow of irregular migration to Mexico and the United States, as well as to promote development in the Northern Triangle of Central America.”

Gomez: U.S. bishops’ working group set up last November completes work WASHINGTON, D.C. — A special working group of the U.S. bishops formed last November to deal with conflicts that could arise between the policies of President Joe Biden, a Catholic, and church teaching has completed its work, Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez said in a March 1 memo to all the U.S. bishops.

Catholic News Service obtained a copy of the memo from Archbishop Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, as a follow-up to a February memo he sent to the bishops explaining the working group’s two recommendations given to him in its final report. The March 1 memo confirms the actions taken on them. The first recommendation made by the working group, he said, was to write a letter to Biden “conveying the USCCB’s eagerness to work with him on issues where we will undoubtedly express strong support, while acknowledging a lack of support on other issues where we cannot agree with anticipated policies.” Archbishop Gomez sent the letter Jan. 20, Inauguration Day. The second

recommendation to develop “a document addressed to all of the Catholic faithful on eucharistic coherence” has been “forwarded to the Committee on Doctrine,” he said.

USCCB committee’s pastoral message marks year of pandemic WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. life has “dramatically changed” due to the yearlong pandemic, and alongside it, racial injustices and political divisions have shaken the nation, yet there is “comfort in God’s promise,” the U.S. bishops’ Administrative Committee said in a March 9 pastoral message. There also “is much to learn from this global suffering,” it said, adding that going forward, people must build on the many acts of sacrifice and kindness exhibited amid the scourge of COVID-19. March 11 marks one year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, “ushering in immense suffering,” the pastoral message said. This was WHO’s first such designation since declaring H1N1 influenza a pandemic in 2009. To date, 525,000 lives have been lost to the disease just in the U.S., according to data from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Worldwide, the death toll is 2.6 million. “Many have endured extraordinary hardships: sickness, death, mourning, a lack of food, unstable housing, loss of work and income, struggles with education, separation, abuse, isolation, depression and anxiety,” said the message.

— Catholic News Service

External Engagement Director Charlotte

Do you strongly believe it’s possible to disrupt the cycle of poverty?

Do you want a faith-based mission-driven job that impacts the lives of thousands of North Carolinians, most of whom live at or near the federal poverty level?

We are seeking a candidate deeply committed to the organized work of charity, highly skilled, and very energetic for this external-facing position which is responsible for expanding the strategic engagement between Catholic Charities and a number of critical constituencies – Catholic clergy, parishioners, volunteers, donors/benefactors, corporations, foundations, funders, people of goodwill, and the public at large.

For a complete job description visit: ccdoc.org/jobs.

Cover letter and resume (2-page maximum) must be submitted electronically to: dbfebles@charlottediocese.org.

No phone calls, please. Position open until filled.

ccdoc.org

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Our world 20

catholicnewsherald.com | March 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Faith amid the ruins: Pope calls Iraqis to affirm kinship under one God CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

CNS | VATICAN MEDIA VIA REUTERS

Pope Francis blesses a child as he greets people with disabilities during a visit to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh, Iraq, March 7.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis summarized his “pilgrimage of faith and penitence” to Iraq in a prayer: “If God is the God of life – for so He is – then it is wrong for us to kill our brothers and sisters in His name.

“If God is the God of peace – for so He is – then it is wrong for us to wage war in His name.

“If God is the God of love – for so He is – then it is wrong for us to hate our brothers and sisters.”

Pope Francis’ visit began March 5 in Baghdad, where he met with government officials in the opulent presidential palace, once home to Saddam Hussein and then the headquarters of the U.S.-led coalition forces that invaded the country in 2003. Then the pope moved to the heart of his pilgrimage: visiting places of faith and suffering, bowing in tribute to the innocents who died and embracing survivors.

He put the blame for the death and destruction squarely on the sinful human inclination to define some people as “us” and others as “them.”

That inclination, which all believers must resist, explains why he told government officials

and civic leaders March 5, “I come as a penitent, asking forgiveness of heaven and my brothers and sisters for so much destruction and cruelty.

I come as a pilgrim of peace in the name of Christ, the prince of peace.”

During the trip, Pope Francis did not mention the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and the toppling of the government. And, while he spoke of “terrorism” and war in reference to the 20142017 destruction wrought by Islamic State militants, he did not name the group until he was on the plane returning to Rome.

Even then, his point was not to condemn IS, but to honor the Christians, Yazidis and Muslims who resisted their efforts to set up a twisted, narrow vision of an Islamic caliphate.

“The life of Christians in Iraq is a difficult life, but not just the life of Christians. I just talked about the Yazidis and other religions that did not submit to the power of Daesh,” he told reporters, using the militants’ Arabic-language acronym.

The resistance, he said, “gave them a very great strength.”

The strength to move forward, to rebuild and to restore relationships of kinship and respect KINSHIP, SEE PAGE 21

March 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

KINSHIP FROM PAGE 20

across religious and ethnic boundaries was a constant refrain during Pope Francis’ trip.

The refrain was loudest amid ruins.

With representatives of Muslim, Christian, Yazidi, Mandaean and other religious communities, Pope Francis made a pilgrimage March 6 to Ur, an archaeological dig on a dusty desert plain about 10 miles from modern-day Nasiriyah.

There, at the birthplace of the patriarch Abraham, the first person to believe in the one God and father of all, the pope called all believers to demonstrate their faith by treating one another as the brothers and sisters they are.

“From this place, where faith was born, from the land of our father Abraham, let us affirm that God is merciful and that the greatest blasphemy is to profane his name by hating our brothers and sisters,” he said. “Hostility, extremism and violence are not born of a religious heart: They are betrayals of religion.”

The journey of peace, he said, begins with “the decision not to have enemies.”

Standing in Mosul March 7 amid the ruins of four churches that Islamic State

fighters had turned to a massive pile of rubble, Pope Francis did not name an enemy but pointed to the “tragic consequences of war and hostility.”

With Islamic State gone and work underway to restore Mosul’s damaged churches and mosques, Pope Francis proclaimed that today “we reaffirm our conviction that fraternity is more durable than fratricide, that hope is more powerful than hatred, that peace more powerful than war.”

“This conviction speaks with greater eloquence than the passing voices of hatred and violence,” he said, “and it can never be silenced by the blood spilled by those who pervert the name of God to pursue paths of destruction.”

Returning to Rome, he told reporters he had seen photos of the site beforehand but was not prepared for the reality of being there.

“I stopped in front of the destroyed church and I just didn’t have any words. It is something you cannot believe, you can’t believe it,” he said. “It is just unbelievable our human cruelty.”

The first evening of the trip, the pope had met the Iraqi bishops and representatives of the country’s priests and religious in the restored Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Deliverance, sometimes referred to as Our Lady of Salvation.

It is a church, he said, “hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters”

murdered in a terrorist attack that shook the world. Forty-eight members of the church, including two priests and a 3-year-old child, died Oct. 31, 2010, when militants belonging to a group linked to al-Qaida interrupted a service, detonating explosives and shooting people.

The memory of Iraq’s Christian martyrs, he said, must “inspire us to renew our own trust in the power of the cross and its saving message of forgiveness, reconciliation and rebirth.”

“Christians are called to bear witness to the love of Christ in every time and place,” the pope told the Catholic leaders. “This is the Gospel that must be proclaimed and embodied in this beloved country as well.”

Bells pealed in Qaraqosh March 7 to welcome the pope to another Syriac Catholic parish, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, desecrated during its use as a base by Islamic State fighters, who turned the courtyard into a shooting range.

While much of the town still needs to be rebuilt, Pope Francis said the presence of the jubilant crowds inside and outside the church “shows that terrorism and death never have the last word.”

“The last word belongs to God and to His Son, the conqueror of sin and death,” the pope said. “Even amid the ravages of terrorism and war, we can see, with the eyes of faith, the triumph of life over death.”

With Muslim and Yazidi guests joining Catholics in the church, Pope Francis told the people that “this is the time to restore not just buildings but also the bonds of community that unite communities and families, the young and the old together.”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos, video and stories from Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq

Director of Religious Education The Parish of St. Therese Catholic Church of Mooresville, N.C. is seeking a full-time Director of Religious Education. This role works in collaboration with the Pastor to develop and maintain comprehensive parish catechetical programs for children, youth and adults.

This position is responsible for the following: • •

•

• •

Regional Director Piedmont Triad, NC

Do you strongly believe it’s possible to disrupt the cycle of poverty?

Do you want a faith-based mission-driven job that directly impacts the lives of thousands of North Carolinians, most of whom live at or near the federal poverty level?

We are seeking a candidate deeply committed to the organized work of charity, highly skilled, and very energetic for this internaland external-facing position which is responsible for providing resource development, strategic direction, leadership, and constituent engagement to support staff and service delivery within a 10-county area.

For a complete job description visit: ccdoc.org/jobs.

Cover letter and resume (2-page maximum) must be submitted electronically to: dbfebles@charlottediocese.org.

No phone calls, please. Position open until filled.

ccdoc.org

• •

Provide religious formation, education, and sacramental preparation to members of the parish faith community.

Help children and adults of the parish nurture a love and devotion to their Catholic faith and identity.

Ensure that all curriculum, all religious education programs, and all volunteers support the teachings of the Catholic Church and are in accordance with the policies of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Supervise Little Way Preschool Staff, Sunday Nursery Staff and Faith Formation Staff.

Recruit Catechists for the religious formation programs and provide them with periodic ongoing formation.

Participate in and assist the Education and Formation Commission.

Encourage opportunities for involvement in parish life.

Candidate Requirements include the following: • • •

•

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Practicing Catholic in good standing; Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Education or Theology; Minimum of 5 years’ experience with administering a Religious Education program (or similar education program) including financial and personnel management skills; and Bilingual, preferred.

Additionally, the candidate must have excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, public speaking and presentation skills; must be prepared to organize and implement large, program-wide events; and must be able to have flexibility in work hours to meet the needs and availability of our parishioners. Able to work evenings and weekends.

For more information about St. Therese Catholic Church and this position, please visit our website at sainttherese.net. Interested candidates are invited to send a letter of interest with resume and salary history to Rev. Mark Lawlor, 217 Brawley School Road Mooresville, NC 28117, or to mslawlor@charlottediocese.org. The letter of interest should explain why the candidate is interested in the position and include examples of why he/she is qualified for the position.

Applications will be accepted through April 1, 2021 The Parish of St. Therese, rooted in Ignatian Spirituality, strives to Love God, Follow Jesus and Serve All by doing ordinary things with great love.

ViewPoints 22

catholicnewsherald.com | March 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

César Hurtado

Deacon Matthew Newsome

Loving God isn’t enough I

n the season of Lent, we engage in penance as a means of being reconciled with God. But as Christ tells us in Matthew’s gospel, before bringing our gifts to the altar, we should “go first and be reconciled with your brother” (Mt 5:24). And so our Lenten penance includes not only prayer and fasting, but also works of charity.

Jesus is consistent on this point. When He teaches us to ask God to forgive our debts, He adds in the same breath, “as we forgive our debtors” (Mt 6:12). When asked which commandment is the greatest, Jesus offers the expected answer of “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and then immediately adds “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:37-39). It is clear that love of God and love of neighbor are inextricably linked in the mind of Christ.

But why should this be? Why isn’t it enough to ask God for forgiveness? Why must I forgive others? Why isn’t it enough to love God? Why must I love my neighbor? Why isn’t it enough to serve God? Why must I also serve the poor? These are fair questions. I can think of at least four reasons (although I’m certain there are others).

The first reason is fairly straightforward. If you love someone, it is only natural that you love what they love. When preparing couples for marriage, I often advise them to take an interest in those things which are important to their spouse. This shows that what is important to your beloved is important to you, as well. If this is true of small things, it is even more true of great things. Christ loves us each with an infinite love. When we struggle to reconcile with someone, it is good to remember that Jesus died for that person. How can I claim to love Christ yet refuse to love someone for whom He gave His life?

The second reason is also easy to understand.

Every human person is made in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:27). If we love God, we should also love that which resembles Him, and there is nothing in all of creation that resembles God more than you and me. That’s mind blowing, but true. How can we claim to love God if we do not love what is most like God on this earth?

The third reason I can think of that God unites love of Him with love of neighbor is because it allows our love for God to be incarnational and sacramental. By “incarnational” I mean that loving our neighbor allows our love of God to become enfleshed. By “sacramental” I mean that loving

‘Loving everyone requires very little of me. “Everyone” is too generic. But my neighbor has a name. My neighbor has a face.’

our neighbor makes visible our invisible love of God. This is for our benefit. I cannot see God and I struggle at times to know what God asks of me.

But I can see my neighbor. I can ask my neighbor, “How can I serve you today?” Jesus so identifies with us that He counts the love we show to one another as love shown to Him. This is especially true of those in need, as Jesus makes clear in His revelation about the final judgment: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40).

I believe this is also why God commands us specifically to love our neighbor instead of simply telling us to love everyone. We are, of course, called to love everyone in the sense that no one is excluded from the demands of love. The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us this (Lk 10:2537). But there is a reason why Jesus uses the word “neighbor.”

Loving everyone requires very little of me.

“Everyone” is too generic. I have no relationship with “everyone.” But my neighbor has a name.

My neighbor has a face. My neighbor has specific needs and is in a position to make real demands of me. It is easy to love everyone. Loving one’s neighbor can be quite difficult. The rich man in the parable wasn’t condemned because he failed to help “the poor.” He was condemned because he didn’t help Lazarus, who died at his doorstep (Lk 16:19-31).

By accepting the love we offer one another as love offered to Him, God gives us concrete ways to serve Him. Each of our many and varied relationships, every encounter we have with someone in need, is an opportunity to love God. This is true even – and especially – of the people whom we find most difficult to love. This, I believe, is why God particularly identifies with the poor, the diseased, the imprisoned and the oppressed.

There are lessons of love that can only be learned by loving those who seem unlovable.

This brings me to the fourth reason I suggest Jesus identifies love of neighbor with love of God. By learning to love even those who seem unlovable, we become like God. In one of the most challenging passages in all of scripture, Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you... For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? ... Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:43-48).

God’s love is pure, perfect, selfless and disinterested. He offers everything to us, yet Himself gains nothing. Christ shows the strength of God’s love by giving His life for us even while we were His enemies (Rom 5:8), praying for the very people driving nails into His flesh (Lk 23:34). This is the divine love we are called to participate in as members of Christ’s Body, the Church. By commanding us to love God and love neighbor, Jesus only reiterates what was previously taught by the law and the prophets. But the new commandment He gives us is even more demanding: “love one another, as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34).

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

Amid pandemic, we need hope, solidarity and justice

A

little over two weeks ago I traveled to my hometown of Lima, Peru. My father, who is more than 80 years old, recently had an accident and I felt the need to visit him.

It was the first time I’d been able to travel to Lima and visit my family since February 2020 – just before the pandemic hit. We celebrated my mother’s birthday, and it was also a family reunion with the promise of seeing each other again that Christmas.

Sadly, after the pandemic was declared, my mother was not able to receive medical attention for her cancer that affected her for 20 years, and she passed away in August. And none of us could be together at Christmastime.

I personally believe that the severe pain that afflicted her, and the impossibility of our gathering again as a family in December, ended her will to live.

With flights to Peru canceled and the pandemic wreaking havoc in the country, it was impossible for me to travel to my mother’s funeral and say goodbye.

A little over a year since my last opportunity to visit, I decided to brave the continued health risks and visit my father, make sure he was OK and take care of him. I wanted desperately to be able to look into his eyes again, as well as visit my sisters and cry with everyone. And as strange as it sounds, I needed to see for myself that my mother had died, that she was no longer part of this world though I feel that she is always with me.

Traveling during a pandemic is not the pleasant experience it was in normal times. If you have recently traveled, you know what I mean. There is a lot of tension, fear and suspicion about others’ behavior. There are thorough check-ups, exams before and after traveling, face masks, plastic face coverings, and an ever-present possibility of contagion. All of the health measures – while necessary and important – make the dream of traveling a nightmare right now.

But as uncomfortable as it was, my journey was nothing compared to what I found when I arrived.

Today in Lima, rich and poor alike die from COVID-19. The pandemic has democratized

death.

People remain sick at home and are cared for by family members, as there is no space available at the hospitals. Without ICU beds, patients wander seeking to enter a hospital to try and save their lives.

There is no oxygen, as demand has far exceeded the supply.

Relatives of those who are sick with COVID-19 wait with their empty oxygen tanks for days outside the plants that sell this essential supply for life.

With supplies of vaccines extremely limited, politicians and businessmen, people close to the government, take advantage of their relationships to jump ahead of the line and get vaccinated before doctors, nurses and frontline workers.

Meanwhile, a large sector of the population lives under a “curfew” between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m., without the possibility of working so that they can buy food and care for their families. Only a government stimulus check of just over $160 has been given out recently to help the most vulnerable.

I do not write these lines to complain. I want them to be a testimony of a people that strives to survive, that seeks without yet finding, that does not stop and risks everything to bring life to those they love – a people that, despite corrupt authorities and those who prey on the suffering of others, will rise up again and continue their lives.

There are already examples of it. The “ollas comunes,” popular kitchens organized by women living in the poorest areas of Lima, are feeding thousands of people.

This solidarity shown by the poorest is the face of hope amid this pandemic. Pope Francis, in his general audience on Sept. 2, 2020, said the word solidarity “is a bit worn out and is sometimes misinterpreted, but it is much more than some sporadic acts of generosity... It is not only a question of helping others, this is good to do, but it is more: it is about justice.”

And that is what Peruvians need: justice.

CÉSAR HURTADO is the Hispanic communications specialist for the Catholic News Herald.

March 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Letters to the editor

All human life is sacred, not a statistic Kathryn Evans

St. Joseph and what we need most

E

very time we pray the Our Father, the prayer Jesus Himself gave to us, we ask God to “give us our daily bread.” As Moses and the Israelites were given manna in the desert for just one day at a time, we also are called to trust God to provide for our needs one day, one moment, at a time. This can be a difficult act of faith in uncertain and unfamiliar seasons, but it is in these instances that we need to look steadfastly to the Lord and witness how He provides for us with greatest love and tenderness.

Resources online At www.yearofstjoseph. org: Find educational resources, prayers and devotions, and more to celebrate the Year of St. Joseph.

My strong devotion to St. Joseph began several years ago, shortly following my own father’s death. Sick with cancer and other complications for many years, my father came into full communion with the Catholic Church less than a year before he passed away, and he took as his confirmation name St. Joseph, patron of a happy death. After many long years of pain and suffering, my father died peacefully, asleep in his own bed. St. Joseph was a true friend and patron to him in that final year, folding him close in the loving arms of Jesus and Mary in those last days.

I had never personally given much thought to St. Joseph before that time, but I had clearly witnessed his patronage at work within my own family. I began to be drawn to this wonderful saint, searching out anything I could read about him and meditating on the role he played in the Holy Family as well the example he sets for us in manhood, in fatherhood, and in devotion to the Son of God. At a time in my life when I was struggling with the loss of my earthly father, Jesus gave to me and drew me close to His very own foster-father.

I share about my personal devotion and the gift of St. Joseph to highlight the significance of the universal interest this great saint has been gaining over the past few years. New books and devotions are being written about him, increasing the awareness and knowledge of this silent hero who watched so tenderly over the Christ Child and the Blessed Mother. Our own Diocese of Charlotte has been celebrating a year dedicated to him, and now Pope Francis has declared a Year of St. Joseph for the universal Church.

As we look at the current turmoil of the world, I must believe that in bringing St. Joseph to prominence, God is giving us the example, the comfort, and the patronage we need at this moment.

In his book on St. Thomas Aquinas, G.K. Chesterton wrote, “it is the paradox of history that each generation is converted by the saint that contradicts it most.” One must only meditate on the Litany of St. Joseph and his many titles and virtues to see how this great saint truly does contradict so many of the evils that plague our modern world.

St. Joseph is called Mirror of Patience and Lover of Poverty. In our fast-paced, technologydriven world, how many of us have been trained to expect instant gratification in all things? We expect immediate results from the barest of lifestyle changes, we seek out the distractions of

social media and streaming video services, we get impatient if we can’t find an item we want online or if delivery takes more than two days.

St. Joseph was called to have great patience during the Holy Family’s stay in Egypt, waiting on God’s word to tell them when it would be safe to return. We have forgotten how to be still and quiet and trust that life will happen in God’s own time and plan.

And poverty? How many of us see it as a good or are willing to embrace a simple life?

Shopping is seen as recreation, many consider it a necessity to have the latest phone/car/ fashionable wardrobe, and we rack up credit card debt so we can appear wealthier than our bank accounts allow. True poverty certainly has its dangers and hardships, if it is to a point where you cannot feed or provide for your family, but it is a delusion of the world that wealth and consumerism are what we should strive for. The Holy Family of Nazareth lived a quiet, simple and meager life, and that was how God Himself chose to spend His time in this world. St. Joseph was chosen by God to provide for all the material needs of the Holy Family, and he did this simply and humbly.

However, these difficult economic times do pose a serious problem for many families, so we also remember St. Joseph is called Model of Workmen and Glory of Domestic Life. What we primarily know about St. Joseph from the Gospels is that he was a worker, providing for the needs of Mary and Jesus by his physical labor, and that he was the head of the Holy Family. During the Flight into Egypt, it was by the work of his hands that St. Joseph sustained them. There is dignity in work and in providing for your family, rather than just doing the bare minimum to get by or expecting someone else to come to your aid. As so much of our society has had to shift roles and re-prioritize our work and family life, St. Joseph is a powerful intercessor to help us know where God is calling us.

For the past year, the world has been gripped by suffering, illness and death. Yet fear of suffering and death go against what we are called to believe in as Catholics: the redemptive power of suffering and the hope of everlasting life. God is not without pity or mercy for us in our fear, but we have countless examples that suffering cannot be avoided in this world. The Blessed Virgin Mary, most beloved by God of all His creatures, had her own heart pierced and ravaged. Christ Himself suffered the very worst of torments and death on the cross.

How could we ever expect to escape suffering ourselves? However, God does not abandon us, either. In these days where fear seems to consume so many of us, He has brought the patronage of St. Joseph to us as a reminder that we are not forsaken. St. Joseph is Solace of the Afflicted, Hope of the Sick, and Patron of the Dying, and under these titles he will certainly intercede for us if we ask.

We cannot know what the future holds, but we can be assured that God will provide for us, just as He provided for the Israelites in the desert. In the Litany of St. Joseph, we may find answers to the many problems that trouble our world, and I believe it is the work of the Holy Spirit that has brought this holy man to the forefront after so many years of silence.

KATHRYN EVANS is an author living in Salisbury, where she keeps chickens, experiments with cooking, and reads too many books. Find her work at www.evanswriting.com, including her book, “An Adult-ish Toolkit: 30 Things I Have Learned in 30 Years.”

I look forward to reading the Catholic News Herald as soon as it arrives in my mailbox, yet when I saw the article “Biden leads nation in mourning its 500,000 COVID-19 deaths” it gave me pause followed by nausea. The photograph of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses standing outside the White House, socially distanced and wearing masks, was odd. Why wear masks when they are six feet apart and able to breath fresh air? One would think that for such an important speech to the nation he, at least, would show his face. Then, it all made sense.

Here are the representatives of an administration that is the most abortionfocused we have seen in decades, speaking words about a “heartbreaking milestone” of 500,000 COVID-19 deaths while behind the scenes that administration has initiated strategies that will take the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent unborn children – without one word of regret. Biden’s words about “we must resist viewing each life as a statistic or a blur on the news” just don’t ring true when he doesn’t flinch about 3,000-plus scheduled abortion deaths each day. Either all human life is sacred or not. Why not light candles for the millions of human lives lost to abortion? Or are those babies just statistics?

CLAUDIA GERAGHTY GRAHAM lives in Black Mountain.

Vote for pro-life candidates Thanks to Father Peter Ascik for his excellent Jan. 29 commentary in the Catholic News Herald, “An example of Catholic integrity in public life.” He has never wavered in witnessing to the culture of life.

President Joe Biden has been in office over a month and he has already demonstrated his pro-abortion extremism. He is nominating only pro-abortion cabinet members and he has the continued support of Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider. With Biden in the White House, the number of elective abortions through the ninth month of pregnancy will increase dramatically. States may even lose the ability to enforce or enact laws protecting mothers and their unborn babies from the brutality of abortion. And because of the Church’s belief in the sanctity of all human life, Catholicism is in grave danger of increased secular attacks.

I am and always have been a one-issue Catholic voter. Because abortion is always “intrinsically evil,” I vote only for pro-life political candidates.

As we face the increased challenges of the “culture of death” in our nation, Catholics must work harder to protect and defend all human life. We must persevere in prayer. We must witness our pro-life beliefs to family and friends.

And, yes, at every election, we must vote only for pro-life candidates.

PATRICIA A. RODITE is a member of St. Matthew Church’s Respect Life Ministry.

Thankful for college seminary and vocations For over 35 years I have prayed daily for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. I am thrilled that we now have St. Joseph College Seminary to serve the Diocese of Charlotte. It is my hope that in addition to being a magnet for vocations, the college seminary will be an instrument for diocesan unity.

In one of its brochures, the seminary cites its mission to build men of nobility, to build men of integrity and to build men of authenticity. In my opinion, it would be better stated: to build men of humility, to build men of prayer and to build men of mercy (Jesus’ self-proclaimed greatest attribute). “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20:28). He also hung out with 12 men, which no doubt meant they all had a sense of humor. May the joy of the priesthood and religious life be experienced by our young men answering God’s call and may we continue to support them in prayer and fellowship.

RALPH H. SULLIVAN lives in Charlotte.

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD