June 18, 2021

June 18, 2021

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CHECK ONLINE List of priest assignment transfers to be posted online Sunday

Diocese passes milestone of 300 endowments for schools, parishes 3A INDEX

Contact us...................................4A Español....................................6A-10A Events calendar..........................4A Our Faith......................................2A Our Parishes........................ 3A-5A Schools................................12A-13A Scripture readings.............2A, 10A TV & Movies................................11A U.S. news.............................14A-15A Viewpoints..........................18A-19A World news......................... 16A-17A

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‘My heart is going to be here always’ Three beloved Sisters of St. Joseph who taught generations bid farewell

12A-13A Coloridas alfombras en procesión de Corpus Christi 8A

INSIDE Vocations: ‘Here to serve God’

Our faith 2A

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope Francis

On the cross and still today, Jesus prays for everyone

J

esus is always praying for each and every person, desiring that His Word would help people in their lives and that they never would feel alone, Pope Francis said.

“Jesus prays for me – each one of us can keep this in our heart. Do not forget it, even during those terrible moments,” the pope said June 16 during his weekly general audience.

With the grace of being able to pray to God and knowing we have been “prayed for,” the pope said, “we have only to have courage and hope” to be able to journey on in life and give glory to God. The audience was held in the San Damaso Courtyard of the Apostolic Palace, where the pope first walked along the barricades, greeting people, shaking hands, signing books and giving his blessing. While attendees were obliged to wear masks, many had them down or pulled them down during their moment with the pope.

In his main audience talk, the pope concluded his series on prayer, which he began May 6, 2020, offering a total of 38 reflections on the theme.

“Prayer is one of the most evident features of the life of Jesus,” the pope said. “He prayed and prayed a lot,” immersing Himself in it “because dialogue with the Father was the incandescent core of all His existence.”

At the Last Supper, Jesus intercedes for His disciples and for all those who will believe in Him through their word and, even during the darkest hours of suffering on the cross, Jesus continues to pray, showing He is “the absolute intercessor: He prays for others, for everyone, even for those who have condemned Him,” he said.

“Jesus prayed for everyone, He also prayed for me, for each one of you. Each one of us can say that Jesus, on the cross, prayed for me,” and still prays for everyone each day, he said.

“Even in the most painful of our sufferings, we are never alone. Jesus’ prayer is with us,” he said.

On the cross He offers His love, “that is, He brings about our salvation,” Pope Francis said.

Jesus “was not a philanthropist who took care of human suffering and illness – He was that, but was more than that,” he said. In Him there is not only goodness, there is “total salvation, messianic salvation, that gives hope in the definitive victory of life over death.”

St. Irenaeus: Bishop of Lyons, Father of the Church Feast day: June 28 The writings of St. Irenaeus entitle him to a high place among the fathers of the Church, for they not only laid the foundations of Christian theology but, by exposing and refuting the errors of the gnostics, they delivered the Catholic faith from the real danger of the doctrines of those heretics.

Irenaeus was probably born about the year 125, in one of those maritime provinces of Asia Minor where the memory of the Apostles was still cherished and where Christians were numerous. He was most influenced by St. Polycarp, who had known the Apostles or their immediate disciples.

Many Asian priests and missionaries brought the gospel to the pagan Gauls and founded a local church. To this church of Lyons, Irenaeus came to serve as a priest under its first bishop, St. Pothinus. In the year 177, Irenaeus was sent to Rome. This mission explains how it was that he was not called upon to share in the martyrdom of St. Pothinus during the terrible persecution in Lyons.

When Irenaeus returned to Lyons, it was to occupy the vacant bishopric. By this time, the persecution was over. It was the spread of gnosticism in Gaul – and the ravages it was making among the Christians of his diocese – that inspired him to undertake the task of exposing its errors. He produced “Against Heresies,” a treatise in five books in which he sets forth fully the inner doctrines of the various sects, and afterwards contrasts them with the teaching of the Apostles and the text of the Holy Scripture. His work, written in Greek but quickly translated to Latin, was widely circulated and succeeded in dealing a near death-blow to gnosticism. From that time onwards, it ceased to offer a serious menace to the Catholic faith.

St. Irenaeus’s date of death is not known,

What is gnosticism?

but it is believed to be in the year 202. His remains were buried in a crypt under the altar of what was then called the church of St. John, but was later known by the name of St. Irenaeus himself. This tomb or shrine was destroyed by the Calvinists in 1562, and all trace of his relics seems to have disappeared.

He is the patron saint of apologists and catechists.

— www.catholic.org

St. Irenaeus’ best-known work is “Adversus Haereses” (“Against Heresies”), a refutation of gnosticism. So what is gnosticism?

Gnosticism is a heresy that says people can only be saved by acquiring secret knowledge (“gnosis”) imparted only to the initiated.

Gnostics viewed themselves as “people who know.” Similar in some ways to the modern New Age movement, gnostics used Christian terminology and symbols, but placed them in an alien religious context that gutted the teachings of Christ. While the heresy had many different shades, gnostics generally believed: n Although Christ looked human, His humanity was an illusion. n Christ appeared to die, but did not really die. n Christ was not God, the second Person of the Trinity. He was merely a created being who was the lowest of the “aeons,” a group of semidivine beings between God and man. Christ, the “aeon” furthest removed from God, created the world because God was too pure to dirty Himself with matter. n Matter is evil, so one can do anything one wants with one’s body, including killing it to release the soul from its imprisonment. n The God of the Old Testament is evil, because He created the material universe.

St. Irenaeus preached against this heresy throughout Gaul (modern-day France), using three pillars of orthodoxy: Scriptures, Tradition (what has been handed down from the Apostles) and the Magisterium (the teachings of the apostles’ successors, particularly the pope). He taught about the unity and goodness of God, as creator of the universe who loves His creation.

He reminded people that Christ, as the Son of God, became man and whose death on a cross redeemed humanity from sin and death.

He was also the first to compare Eve to Mary, contrasting the faithlessness of the former with the faithfulness of the latter.

— Catholic Answers, EWTN, Catholic Encyclopedia

Daily Scripture readings JUNE 20-26

Sunday: Job 38:1, 8-11, 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, Mark 4:35-41; Monday (St. Aloysius Gonzaga): Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 7:1-5; Tuesday (St. Paulinas of Nola, Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More): Genesis 13:2, 5-18, Matthew 7:6, 12-14; Wednesday: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Matthew 7:15-20; Thursday (The Nativity of St. John the Baptist): Isaiah 49:1-6, Acts 13:22-26, Luke 1:57-66, 80; Friday: Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22, Matthew 8:1-4; Saturday: Genesis 18:1-15, Luke 1:4650, 53-55, Matthew 8:5-17

JUNE 27-JULY 3

Sunday: Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24, 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15, Mark 5:21-43; Monday (St. Irenaeus): Genesis 18:16-33, Matthew 8:18-22; Tuesday (Sts. Peter and Paul): Acts 12:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18, Matthew 16:13-19; Wednesday (The First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church): Genesis 21:5, 8-20a, Matthew 8:28-34; Thursday (St. Junipero Serra): Genesis 22:1b-19, Matthew 9:1-8; Friday: Genesis 23:1-4, 19, 24:1-8, 62-67, Matthew 9:9-13; Saturday (St. Thomas): Ephesians 2:19-22, John 20:24-29

JULY 4-10

Sunday: Ezekiel 2:2-5, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Mark 6:1-6a; Monday (St. Anthony Zaccaria, St. Elizabeth of Portugal): Genesis 28:10-22a, Matthew 9:18-26; Tuesday (St. Maria Goretti): Genesis 32:2333, Matthew 9:32-38; Wednesday: Genesis 41:55-57, 42:5-7a, 17-24a, Matthew 10:1-7; Thursday: Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29, 45:1-5, Matthew 10:7-15; Friday (St. Augustine Zha Rong and Companions): Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30, Matthew 10:16-23; Saturday: Genesis 49:29-32, 50:15-26a, Matthew 10:24-33

Our parishes

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Editor’s note: Priest assignments list will be posted online Sunday CHARLOTTE — Priest assignment transfers that will be effective Tuesday, July 13, are being announced at affected parishes at Masses this weekend.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

The list of new assignments from Bishop Peter J. Jugis will be published Sunday, June 20, online at www.catholicnewsherald.com.

Diocese passes milestone of 300 endowments for schools, parishes

Sister Joan Pearson was among three local women religious who recently traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border to assist in the immigration crisis. Here, migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. walk into a temporary humanitarian respite center run by Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley in McAllen, Texas, April 8

Charlotte’s women religious respond to call for help at U.S.-Mexico border CHARLOTTE — Three women religious from the Charlotte area traveled to Texas in April and May to help care for asylum seekers coming through the U.S.-Mexico border.

Sisters of Mercy Peggy Verstege and Carmelita Hagan, and Sister of St. Joseph Joan Pearson joined other women religious in responding to a nationwide call from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious to help at the border, which has witnessed a surge of tens of thousands of asylum seekers over the past several months.

In March, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/ Administration for Children and Families asked Catholic Charities USA to take the lead on providing care and accompaniment of thousands of unaccompanied children at the U.S.-Mexico border. They sought 7,000 or more volunteers to provide “a listening presence, compassion and support” for the men, women and children desperately in need of help. The LCWR, the largest group representing women religious in the U.S., was among the Catholic groups contacted by Catholic Charities USA. The humanitarian crisis on the southern border has seen thousands of immigrants, especially minors, their parents and unaccompanied children, traveling from Central

distribution for its prescribed purpose – which can be very specific or more general, giving recipients the leeway to decide how the funding can help them most.

“The benefit of an endowment is that its principal continues to grow while at the same time generating an increasing amount of income for a school or ministry or parish,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director. “In the

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CNS | GO NAKAMURA, REUTERS

CÉSAR HURTADO HISPANIC REPORTER

Follow the Catholic News Herald on Facebook and Twitter for this and other breaking news in between print editions, which are published every other Friday. It’s the best way to keep up with the latest news from around the diocese easily and quickly!

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor

America and Mexico to seek asylum.

They walk hundreds of miles, riding on buses, trucks or trains, eating and drinking anything they can get on their journey.

Hungry, dirty and with nothing in their pockets but hope, immigrants are being allowed to arrive at the border, pass a COVID-19 test, and begin the process of completing paperwork for their asylum request. In the meantime, border control officers are making contact with their American sponsor to get clearance to enter the U.S. A person or family must have a sponsor to get clearance to enter the U.S., then they are bused to one of the established sites in the U.S. While people await processing at the border, Catholic sisters have been there to pitch in.

Sisters Peggy and Carmelita traveled to Laredo, Texas, on April 20, and ministered at the Catholic Charities Diocese of Laredo site, located about a mile from the border. Sister Joan was sent May 1 to a “respite center” run by Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley in McAllen, Texas.

“What we found was a little overwhelming to say the least,” said Sister Carmelita, so “we rolled up our sleeves and got busy.”

Added Sister Joan, “The people were in great need. The situation was heartbreaking.”

Side by side with other volunteers BORDER, SEE PAGE 20A

CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Foundation recently surpassed 300 endowments, representing more than $71.5 million, thanks to generous donors contributing amounts large and small over 27 years.

Established in 1994, the foundation offers a means for people and organizations to provide long-term financial stability for the diocese and FOUNDATION its more than 181 churches, TOTAL schools, agencies and INVESTMENTS organizations.

The late John Monahan, a Charlotte insurance executive and adjunct professor, established the diocese’s 300th endowment in May as part of a planned giving designation in his will. His gift was split to provide Catholic Charities both a direct gift and an endowment to help fund the organization’s long-term operations.

An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is invested – not CATHOLIC CATHOLIC CHARITIES PARISHES spent – that generates income EDUCATION AND OUTREACH to help pay for projects and programs specified by the donor. They are tax deductible and help sustain the strength and viability of the diocese and its entities, paying for capital improvements, charitable outreach, education CLERGY AND VOCATIONS DIOCESAN OTHER and parish operations.

Consider the success of the Asheville Catholic School TIM P. FARAGHER | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Endowment Fund: Created by The Diocese of Charlotte Foundation currently has invested more than a group of supporters in 1997 $71.5 million in 300 endowments. Over the past 27 years, the foundation with contributions totaling has distributed more than $12.2 million through these endowments to help $560,000, the fund has generated support the diocese and its parishes, schools and ministries. $673,000 for the school – more than the initial investment set aside in the endowment. Most of the money, case of Asheville Catholic, not only has the paid quarterly, goes to help students in need school already received funding equivalent to the of tuition assistance. In addition, the fund’s initial investment, it continues to receive funding principal has grown to $690,000. that eventually will equate to millions of dollars.”

“So many young people have benefited from Over the past 27 years, the foundation has the tuition assistance and other programs we distributed more than $12.2 million through provide through this endowment,” said Mike its endowments to help support the diocese Miller, principal of Asheville Catholic School. and its parishes, schools and ministries.

“It’s heartwarming to watch these kids grow in their education and their faith – then go on to make the world better. We are grateful You can establish an endowment in the Diocese for the foresight of the donors who put the of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a endowment together almost 25 years ago.” will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement The foundation makes available annually 5 plan, a gift of real estate or life insurance, cash or percent of an endowment’s value (averaged securities, or a life income arrangement such as a over three years). It reports to endowment trust or annuity. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at holders every quarter outlining the latest 704-370-3364 or gmrhodes@charlottediocese.org. value and how much is available for

300

$71.5 MILLION

ENDOWMENT FUNDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF

47%

27%

9%

8%

6%

3%

Create an endowment

UPcoming events 4A

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: JUNE 18 – 5 P.M. Holy Hour for Priesthood Ordinands St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

JUNE 21 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Mark Church, Huntersville

JUNE 25 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Mark Church, Huntersville

JULY 2 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Divine Redeemer Church, Boonville

JUNE 19 – 10 A.M. Liturgy of Ordination to the Priesthood St. Mark Church, Huntersville

JUNE 23 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensboro

JUNE 28 – 30 Atlanta Province Meeting of Bishops Atlanta, Ga.

Diocesan calendar of events June 18, 2021 Volume 30 • NUMBER 19

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

ESPAÑOL UNA VIGILIA DE ADORACIÓN POR LA PAZ Y LA JUSTICIA EN NICARAGUA: Los jueves a las 6 p.m., nos reunimos en la Catedral San Patricio para, que en estos últimos meses está pasando por momentos turbulentos y ataques físicos contra la Iglesia Católica, sus templos, y sus Obispos. Todos son bienvenidos a unirse a la Adoración, rezar el Santo Rosario y la corona de adoración y reparación, y terminando con la oración de exorcismo de San Miguel Arcángel. La vigilia de oración es en español. Vigilias de junio: 24.

An Ethiopian asylum seeker displays his tattoo with the words “God Help Me” at the Um Rakuba refugee camp in Sudan Dec.3, 2020, which houses Ethiopians fleeing the fighting in the Tigray region of the east African nation.

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS

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.

RETURN TO GOD PRAYER MINISTRY: 1 p.m. Saturday, June 19, Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville. Come pray at this peaceful public prayer event with members of the St. Mark Church community. All are welcome. For details, go to www.returntogodnow.com.

VIGIL OF THE TWO HEARTS: First Fridays and First Saturdays, St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Next vigil will be July 2-3, with Father Jacob Mlakar as Friday’s celebrant. Join each First Friday through First Saturday of the month in an overnight vigil to honor the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and to offer penance and pray for the conversion of our nation. To sign up for Eucharistic Adoration times, go to www.

ProLifeCharlotte.org/two-hearts.

WESTERN N.C. RESPECT LIFE MEETING: 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 26, St. John the Baptist Church, 180 Laurel Ave., Tryon. The Carolina Pro-Life Action Network of Western NC (C-PLAN) is hosting is next regional Respect Life meeting. All interested in getting involved in pro-life activity are invited. For details, email Joanne Gregory or Elizabeth Harris at ashevilleprolifecatholics@gmail.com.

LATIN MASS AT THE CATHEDRAL: St. Patrick Cathedral will offer a Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form (the Traditional Latin Mass) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 29 – the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. All are welcome.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING “Protecting God’s Children” workshops educate parish volunteers to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse.

For details, contact your parish office. To register for in-person or online training and confirm workshop times, go to www.virtus.org. Upcoming workshops are: ANDREWS: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at Holy Redeemer Church, 214 Aquone Road. Spanish only.

FRANKLIN: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 299 Maple St. English only. Lunch provided.

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.

CNS | BAZ RATNER, REUTERS

Catholic Charities, partners collaborate on ‘Hope Totes’ for refugees SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Refugees who have resettled in the Charlotte area with the help of Catholic Charities will receive new shoes June 22 during an event to mark World Refugee Day. Established by the United Nations, World Refugee Day honors refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.

Catholic Charities’ Refugee Resettlement Program is hosting the shoe distribution event in partnership with Samaritan’s Feet, Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency and eMite to provide new footwear for refugees who have been recently resettled into the Charlotte area.

Participants will receive a Samaritan’s Feet “Hope Tote” – a bag containing a new pair of shoes, socks, hygiene kit, and an encouraging “Hope Note” and flyer with activities to show kindness and best practices to stay healthy.

Students from Christ the King High School in Huntersville created a banner for Catholic Charities’ Refugee Resettlement Office to use for the shoe distribution June 22. The banner reads: “Many Nations…One Community.”

Laura Jones, supervisor of Catholic Charities’ program for refugee youth and one of the organizers of the June 22 event, says the banner notes “all the nationalities of our refugees, then we’ll add the handprints of our young students (in Catholic Charities’ Refugee Youth Program).”

Samaritan’s Feet serves and inspires hope in children by providing shoes as the foundation to a healthy, spiritual life – setting them up for success in education and economic opportunities. Since its founding in 2003, Samaritan’s Feet and its partners have distributed over 8 million pairs of shoes in 108 countries and 440 U.S. cities.

Catholic Charities estimates that 300 “Hope Totes” and pairs of shoes will be distributed at the June 22 event and in the following days for those who could not attend the event.

Did you know?

World Refugee Day was held globally for the first time on June 20, 2001, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It was originally known as Africa Refugee Day, before the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as an international day in December 2000. For more information about World Refugee Day, go online to www.unhcr.org/ en-us/world-refugee-day.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI 5A

Boy Scout Troop 97 helps repair eroded portion of the Appalachian Trail DONNA BANGE SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

HUNTERSVILLE — Boy Scouts from Troop 97, chartered with St. Mark Church, celebrated God’s creation last spring and learned the value of proper trail maintenance by helping to repair a popular hiking trail.

The Boy Scout Troop worked alongside the volunteer Carolina Mountain Club to improve and repair a portion of the famous Appalachian Trail at Big Bald, a mountain located in the Cherokee National Forest near Erwin, Tenn.

The service project was part of their preparations for an intensive Scout hike in New Mexico this summer.

The Appalachian Trail is 2,200 miles long, starting in Georgia and ending in Maine. An estimated 700 people hiked the full Appalachian Trail in 2019, and countless others hike portions of the trail every day for pure enjoyment.

Th trail at Big Bald has exceptional 360-degree views, and on a clear day visitors can see Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. However, portions of the trail there had deteriorated, with ruts and muddy areas that made it hazardous for hikers.

To repair the trail and prevent further erosion, the U.S. Forest Service provided more than 15 tons of gravel/dirt mixture for the Carolina Mountain Club, and the Scouts pitched in with the effort.

The Scouts were assigned the task of filling buckets and wheelbarrels full of the gravel and dirt mixture – semi-frozen due to unusually cold temperatures at the time – then manually transporting the loads to the trail.

The Scout Troop formed a production line to keep the approximately 40 Carolina Mountain Club volunteers well stocked with gravel as they made the repairs. In the words of Chris Werbylo, CMC’s crew leader, “Boy Scout Troop 97 was Saturday’s MVP!” The Scouts also learned how to install water bars, which enable water to naturally flow off the trail and thus prevent erosion.

Joe Bange, another CMC crew leader, lauded the Scouts, calling them “very hard workers.”

“CMC would appreciate having the troop volunteer with

us again,” Bange said.

The workday on the Appalachian Trail was a valuable lesson for the Scouts, who are planning to go to Philmont Scout Ranch this summer. The arduous experience involves hiking more than 70 miles through the mountains of northeastern New Mexico.

As part of a service project linked to the Philmont trip, the Scouts decided to organize a project that provided an opportunity to learn about how to build and maintain safe hiking trails. A little bit of research turned up the Carolina Mountain Club, and the trail workday at Big Bald was on.

Since their successful trail workday, the Scouts have been meeting weekly to plan for the Philmont trek, honing their skills with monthly backpacking trips to areas as diverse as Mt. Rogers and the Grayson Highlands in Virginia and Congaree National Park in South Carolina.

In the words of Sasha Timkovich, Scout leader and St. Mark parishioner, “The day volunteering with Carolina Mountain Club at Big Bald enlightened the Scouts to the details and complexities of hiking trail maintenance.

This work experience will enable our Scouts to more fully appreciate the Philmont 70-mile hike this summer.”

‘Walking with Moms in Need’ steps back up at St. Pius X Parish GEORGIANNA PENN CORRESPONDENT

GREENSBORO — A national initiative to help expectant and new mothers in need is getting a renewed focus at St. Pius X Church, now that pandemic restrictions are lifting and people are returning to Mass.

The pro-life pastoral effort, “Walking with Moms in Need,” was launched by the U.S. bishops in March 2020, just as the pandemic emerged and churches were closed.

“Walking with Moms in Need” is a time of service in which Catholic parishes and communities “walk in the shoes” of local pregnant and parenting women in need. It kicked off last year in some parishes, including churches in Charlotte and Greensboro, but larger public outreach efforts were difficult. Now, St. Pius X Church is among local parishes re-energizing the campaign in tandem with its existing pro-life ministries.

The month of May – a time when Catholics honor in a special way the Blessed Virgin Mary – “turned out to be a perfect time to re-launch this initiative,” said Carolyn Painley, Community Life Pastoral Associate at St. Pius X. As part of their re-engagement efforts, parishioners Martha Harvey and Kathy Martinek, who mentor young mothers at The Pregnancy Network (formerly called the Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center) organized a walk team of a dozen St. Pius X parishioners for The Pregnancy Network’s annual Walk for Life. The “Work of His Hands” walk team raised close to $4,000 for the pregnancy center.

Pro-life volunteers also distributed “A Prayer for Pregnant Mothers” prayer cards to Mass-goers after each Mother’s Day Mass.

Painley and fellow leader Krisan Walker note that St. Pius X members have been supporting families in need for decades through community partners who provide food, housing, pregnancy services, mental health and substance abuse support.

“This is what we’ve always done,” Walker said.

During the pandemic, Painley noted, “we had to be really creative and not allow COVID to give us an excuse not to

serve. We try to help provide our parish community with ongoing opportunities to increase awareness of the needs of others.”

St. Pius X hosted two of its largest “drive-thru” food drives ever to benefit Greensboro Urban Ministry. Parish groups also provided ongoing support to Room At The Inn: the Ancient Order of Hibernians provided weekly food deliveries, and the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Malta, Purple Hat Ministry and St. Pius X School provided gift cards, gift bags and more.

“There’s nothing greater than providing food and shelter to homeless, pregnant, abortion vulnerable mothers,” said Walker. Added Painley, “Partnerships allow us to expand our reach and do more with our resources.”

The goal of the new “Walking with Moms in Need” campaign is meant to give every parishioner a way to help mothers in difficult circumstances, whether that’s connecting them to local social services, providing food and baby supplies, or praying for and accompanying the women in solidarity. According to its website, “While not trying to turn Catholic parishes into pregnancy centers, we can support local pregnancy centers where they exist, and we can also find and share other resources with pregnant and parenting women. And where there are few local resources, we can create our own, based on the gifts of the parish community!”

“The goal is to provide a few niche options,” Walker explained, because referring someone to an established agency who can make a professional assessment is really best.

“The parish network is a huge resource since the U.S. bishops announced Walking with Moms in Need,” said Marianne Donadio, development director for Room At The Inn. Recently, Room At The Inn met with a deacon from a local parish who was trying to help a pregnant mother who was living in her car. She had an upcoming job interview and a housing voucher, so the local parish paid for her to stay in a hotel room for a few weeks to give her more time to arrange a permanent place to live.

St. Pius X parishioners raised nearly $4,000 this spring for The Pregnancy Network’s annual GSO Walk for Life.

GEORGIANNA PENN | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

“Every situation is different,” Donadio said. “It’s just a matter of getting to the root of what the need is, the most urgent need, and then pairing the person with the right agency.”

“If a mother contacts us who does not need shelter, but needs a mentor or material assistance, we can then funnel her to The Pregnancy Network or Birthright,” she continued. “We refer back and forth to one another quite regularly.”

The goal of the “Walking with Moms in Need” campaign is to engage parishioners and connect with community resources to enable everyone to lend a hand, in whatever ways they are called. Already at St. Pius X Church, they are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for them to expand their long-standing pro-life efforts, Painley and Walker said.

Learn more At www.walkingwithmoms.com: Get more information about how you can help mothers in need, including prayers, resources for parish ministries and more

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 6A

Aleksandra Banasik Taistra

San Pedro y San Pablo

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odos los años el 29 de Junio la iglesia celebra la solemnidad de San Pedro y San Pablo. Hay que recordar quienes fueron estos dos santos.

San Pedro, Shimón Bar-Lona, nació en Betsaida, un pueblo no muy grande cerca del lago de Genesaret.

Junto con su hermano Andrés eran pescadores en el mar de Galilea. Cuando Jesús caminaba por las orillas del mar de Galilea, vio a Simón-Pedro y a su hermano Andrés arrojando las redes al mar, les dijo: “Venid conmigo, y los haré pescadores de hombres”. Y ellos dejaron las redes y lo siguieron (Mt.4,18-20).

Pedro como pescador tuvo un carácter fuerte, impulsivo, pero era también generoso y sencillo. Desde el principio era un discípulo allegado a Jesús. Y Jesús mismo le puso el sobrenombre de Pedro, diciéndole: “Tú eres Simón, hijo de Jonás, pero te llamarás Cefas, que quiere decir Pedro” (Juan 1,41-42), señalándole como la “piedra” sobre la que edificaría su Iglesia.

Cuando Pedro estuvo en Cesarea de Filipo dijo, “Tú eres el Cristo, el hijo de Dios vivo”, (Mt 16:16). Después de esta afirmación, Jesús confirma la autoridad de Pedro (Mt 16:19). “Te daré las llaves del Reino de los cielos; y todo lo que ates sobre la tierra será también atado en los cielos; y todo lo que desates sobre la tierra, será también desatado en los cielos”. Pedro tuvo también un momento de humana debilidad negando conocer a Jesús la noche cuando fue arrestado.

Después de la Resurrección de Jesús, fue Pedro quien primero pudo verlo. Esto le dio fuerzas para asumir la tarea de ser cabeza de la Iglesia y ayudar a los apóstoles a mantener su fe fuerte y viva.

San Pablo nació en Tarso, ciudad capital de la provincia Romana de Cilicia, actual Turquía. Educado en Jerusalén, pertenecía al grupo llamado de los “fariseos” y no conoció personalmente a Jesús.

Persiguió a los cristianos, aprobó la lapidación de San Esteban (Hechos 8,1-3) y después de ello, camino a Damasco, estando cerca de la ciudad, oyó la voz de Jesús que le decía: “Saulo Saulo, por qué me persigues?” (Hechos 1,1-9). Después quedó ciego por tres días, continuó su viaje a Damasco donde fue bautizado, recobró la vista y se convirtió al Señor.

Después de la Resurrección de Jesús, Pedro y Pablo se dirigieron a Roma, liderando la Iglesia hasta que fueron detenidos en el foro de la Antigua Roma.

Por decreto del emperador Nerón, Pedro fue crucificado con la cabeza hacia abajo por su propia decisión por no ser digno de morir como el Señor y sepultado en una colina fuera de Roma. Pablo, acercándose a su final, hizo un balance de su vida escribiendo “he peleado el buen combate, he terminado la carrera, he mantenido la fe” (2 Tim.4,7). Después, bajo el mismo decreto de Nerón, muere “dignamente” como ciudadano romano.

Desde el tiempo de la Iglesia primitiva se empezó a celebrar la solemnidad conjunta de San Pedro y San Pablo el 29 de junio, no solamente como recuerdo de sus muertes, sino también por la visión centrada en “Jesucristo, único Salvador”, recordando la pregunta que Jesús hizo a los discípulos, a la que respondieron con sus vidas y que siempre está vigente: “Y ustedes, quién dicen que soy?”.

ALEKSANDRA BANASIK es coordinadora del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Boone.

Religiosas de Charlotte respondieron llamado de ayuda CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE — Tres hermanas de la Diócesis de Charlotte viajaron a Texas durante abril y mayo para asistir a los migrantes en búsqueda de asilo que llegaban a la frontera entre México y Estados Unidos.

Las Hermanas de la Misericordia, Peggy Verstege y Carmelita Hagan, y la Hermana de San José, Juana Pearson, respondieron al llamado realizado por la Conferencia de Mujeres Religiosas líderes sobre la necesidad de ayuda en la frontera.

En marzo pasado, ya el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Estados Unidos había contactado a la oficina nacional de Caridades Católicas pidiendo deseperadamente 700 o más voluntarios que provean “una presencia de escucha, compasión y apoyo” para los hombres, mujeres y niños en necesidad de ayuda en la línea de frontera.

La crisis humanitaria en la frontera sur de Estados Unidos había iniciado varios meses antes, cuando miles de inmigrantes, especialmente menores de edad, sus padres y niños sin compañía, viajaron desde Centroamérica y México en búsqueda de asilo.

Caminaron cientos de millas, se subieron a buses, camiones o trenes, comieron y bebieron cualquier cosa que pudieron encontrar en su camino.

Hambrientos, sucios, sin nada en sus bolsillos pero llenos de esperanza, a los inmigrantres se les permitió llegar a la frontera, pasar una prueba de COVID-19 e iniciar el proceso de solicitud de asilo. Mientras tanto, los oficiales fronterizos trataban de establecer contacto con familiares residente en territorio americano que puedan patrocinarlos y así poder obtener el permiso de ingreso a Estados Unidos.

El 20 de abril, las hermanas Peggy y Carmelita viajaron a Laredo, Texas, y asistieron en Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Laredo, a una milla de la frontera. El 1 de mayo, la hermana Juana fue enviada al Centro de Alivio Humanitario McAllen de Caridades Católicas en el Valle del Río Grande, Texas.

“Lo que encontramos fue abrumador, por decir lo menos”, dijo la Hermana Carmelita, así que “nos levantamos las mangas y pusimos manos a la obra”. La hermana Joan agregó, “la gente estaba muy necesitada, la situación era desgarradora”.

Codo a codo con otros voluntarios y hermanas de otras congregaciones, las hermanas Peggy y Carmelita trabajaron incansablemente recibiendo los autobuses que llegaban, distribuyendo agua, ropa limpia, toallas y productos de higiene para baño.

En un día típico, preparaban el desayuno, el almuerzo y la cena para hombres, mujeres y niños y, a menudo, tenían que comprar comida para servirla. Entre comidas lavaban ropa, preparaban paquetes de viaje con pañales, toallitas húmedas, fórmula para bebé, agua, jugos y comida para los que partían en autobuses o autos. Pasaban horas organizando el cuarto de ropa y entregando ropa limpia a los migrantes. Debido a que la hermana Juana habla español, fue asignada al área de farmacia donde midió y distribuyó fórmula para bebés, pañales, toallitas húmedas para bebés, cepillos de dientes, peines y medicamentos de

venta libre. “Casi todo el mundo llegaba con resfriados, tos, secreción nasal o fiebre. Cada vez que entregaba un jarabe para la tos o tylenol o lo que fuera, preguntaba sobre alergias, complicaciones y les explicaba las dosis y la frecuencia de las tomas. Ellos fueron pacientes esperando turno y muy agradecidos”.

Pero algo más llamó poderosamente la atención de la hermana Juana. “Lo primero que me llamó la atención fue la falta de equipaje, bolsos o mochilas con ellos. Se aferraban desesperadamente a sus hijos. No tenían nada más. Descubrí por qué. A lo largo de su peligroso viaje a los Estados Unidos lo habían perdido todo. A algunos les

Migrantes en búsqueda de asilo en Estados Unidos ingresan a un centro temporal de respiro humanitario administrado por Caridades Católicas del Valle del Río Grande en McAllen, Texas, el 8 de abril. La hermana de San José, Joan Pearson, fue una de las tres religiosas locales que viajaron recientemente a la zona fronteriza con México para ayudar en la crisis.

SERVICIO CATÓLICO DE NOTICIAS | GO NAKAMURA, REUTERS

habían robado. Otros se vieron obligados a vender o intercambiar su ropa, medallas y joyas de cualquier tipo para llegar a la siguiente parada del viaje”.

En ambos centros de alivio, muchas de las personas pudieron disfrutar de una cama, pero muchas más tuvieron que dormir en catres y colchones a lo largo de los pasillos y, a veces, tuvieron que hacerlo fuera del edificio.

Todos tuvieron la oportunidad de darse una ducha y refrescarse.

La hermana Carmelita dijo que la experiencia la hizo pensar en la Sagrada Familia, cuando José tuvo que llevarse a María y Jesús y huir a Egipto para escapar del tirano Herodes. “Tenían que estar confundidos y temerosos de lo que les esperaba. Hoy los solicitantes de asilo de Centroamérica están haciendo lo mismo para escapar de los tiranos de sus países. Vienen llenos de miedo, con emociones encontradas y mucha confianza y esperanza en una vida mejor. Dejan su tierra natal porque buscan paz y una vida libre de miedos”.

Servir a los migrantes no tuvo por objeto resolver sus problemas, “fue una oportunidad para actuar en nombre de la comunidad y en nombre de la misericordia”, señaló.

Para la hermana Juana fue una experiencia profunda, “y no estoy segura de haber integrado completamente todas las gracias y desafíos que Dios me presentó en la frontera con mi ministerio, aquí en nuestra Diócesis de Charlotte”.

“Para mí, servir en el refugio abrió más que mis ojos. ¡Esta vez en McAllen abrió mi corazón! Una de mis oraciones frecuentes se ha convertido en: “Oh querido Dios, gracias por todas las bendiciones que Tú (y otros) me has dado. Y perdóname si alguna vez soy ingrata”, finalizó.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Pastoral Hispana recibió visita de líderes de SEPI CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — El director del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte, R. P. Julio César Domínguez, acompañado de líderes de la pastoral hispana, recibió la visita del Rev. Emilio Sotomayor, director del Instituto Pastoral del Sureste (SEPI) y Olga Lucía Villar, directora de formación y programas de ese centro de formación católica.

“Estamos bien contentos de que nuestros hermanos de SEPI se hayan tomado el tiempo y venido hasta acá para informarnos de los cursos que ofrecen, su implementación en la diócesis y también para escuchar nuestras necesidades, la realidad de nuestra diócesis y sobre todo fortalecer nuestra comunicación para poder trabajar juntos”, dijo el Padre Domínguez, destacando que tanto el P. Sotomayor como él son “nuevos” en sus posiciones de liderazgo por lo que se hacía necesaria una reunión para ponerse de acuerdo.

Respecto a las necesidades diocesanas de formación en la fe, el P. Domínguez señaló que están muy bien cubiertas por nuestro programa educativo diocesano interno. Sin embargo, añadió, “SEPI ofrece un programa de educación continua con muchos cursos de evangelización, pastoral juvenil, seguimiento en parroquias, liturgia y más que podemos incorporar en nuestra educación”. La capacitación, dijo, logra una renovación continua que ayuda a despertar la inquietud de crecimiento espiritual de los fieles.

Por su parte, el P. Sotomayor destacó que el trabajo del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte “tiene una estructura, una organización consolidada con la que el SEPI mantiene una relación de muchísimos años que, de alguna manera, se viene reinventando para cubrir

sus diferentes necesidades de formación” Respecto a los retos de evangelización, señaló que lo más importante es la implementación de las conclusiones del Quinto Encuentro. “Nuestra labor es siempre de apoyo, de servicio, de manera subsidiaria a las diferentes necesidades de cada diócesis. Los retos son siempre nuevos, como el de retornar después de la pandemia, pero estamos todos en muy buena disposición para afrontarlos”, señaló.

La formación virtual que se aplicó durante la pandemia, dijo, “ha llegado para quedarse”, pero aseguró que “nunca vamos a perder lo personal, un punto que es muy importante en el ministerio hispano y la pastoral juvenil”. Indicó que otro reto a enfrentar en esta nueva era post-pandemia, “será intentar descentralizar los servicios, llegar más a las diócesis y absorber el crecimiento exponencial de la pastoral hispana, resolviendo sus necesidades de formación, de encuentro con Cristo”.

En cuanto a las prioridades educativas, Olga Lucía Villar, directora de formación y programas de SEPI, subrayó que las conclusiones a las que han llegado tras esta reunión le servirán para implementar nuevos cursos que resuelvan los problemas a los que se enfrenta nuestra diócesis en particular. “Necesitamos abordar algunos temas que, por diferentes razones, a veces por ser difíciles, no hemos estado tocando pero que debemos enfrentar como Iglesia, como comunidad de fe”, dijo.

También estuvo presente en la reunión Gustavo Valdéz, director del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charleston, Carolina del Sur, quien destacó la vecindad y similitud de prioridades con la comunidad hispana de Charlotte, tales como el desarrollo de la pastoral familiar, juvenil y la formación en la fe de toda la comunidad.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

En una visita relámpago a Charlotte, el P. Emilio Sotomayor, director de SEPI, y Olga Lucía Villar, directora de formación y programas, se reunieron con el Padre Julio Domínguez, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte y algunos coordinadores de la pastoral hispana con el objetivo de establecer una colaboración más estrecha, de acuerdo a las necesidades particulares de la diócesis.

“Es importante que como comunidades vecinas compartamos proyectos, preocupaciones e ideas para mejorar lo que ya tenemos. A fin de cuentas es la misma Iglesia que atiende la necesidad de la misma comunidad católica pero en diferentes puntos geográficos”, dijo.

Haciendo un enlace entre la fe y su conocimiento racional, el P. Sotomayor dijo que “el encuentro con Cristo es mucho

más importante que su conocimiento racional, pero esto último es parte de ese encuentro. En la medida que conozcas más tu fe, a Jesucristo, la dualidad de Dios y del Espíritu Santo, te vas a conectar más con tu fe e incrementar tu comunión, crear lazos eclesiales, de integración entre las comunidades y de integración del pueblo hispano dentro de la Iglesia de Estados Unidos”.

Caridades Católicas y sus aliados colaboran en ‘Bolsos de Esperanza’ para los refugiados SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

CHARLOTTE — Los refugiados que se han reasentado en el área de Charlotte con la ayuda de Caridades Católicas recibirán calzado nuevo el 22 de junio, durante un evento para conmemorar el Día Mundial del Refugiado.

Establecido por las Naciones Unidas, el Día Mundial del Refugiado rinde homenaje a los refugiados de todo el mundo cada 20 de junio, festejando la fuerza y coraje de las personas que se han visto obligadas a escapar de conflictos o persecución en sus países de origen.

El Programa de Reasentamiento de Refugiados de Caridades Católicas organiza esta distribución de zapatos en asociación con Samaritan’s Feet, la Agencia de Reasentamiento de Refugiados de Carolina y eMite, para proporcionar calzado nuevo para sus refugiados que viven en la comunidad de apartamentos Sailboat Bay en Charlotte.

Los participantes recibirán un ‘Bolso de esperanza’ de Samaritan’s Feet: un bolso que contiene un nuevo par de zapatos, calcetines, kit de higiene y una ‘Nota de esperanza’ alentadora y un volante con actividades para mostrar amabilidad y las mejores prácticas para mantenerse saludable.

Los estudiantes de Christ the King High School en Huntersville crearon una pancarta que dice ‘Muchas naciones... una comunidad’, para que la Oficina de Reasentamiento de Refugiados de Caridades Católicas la use durante la distribución de calzado el 22 de

junio.

Laura Jones, supervisora del programa de Caridades Católicas para jóvenes refugiados y una de las organizadoras del evento del 22 de junio, dice que la pancarta señala “todas las nacionalidades de nuestros refugiados, luego agregaremos las huellas de las manos de nuestros jóvenes estudiantes (en el Programa de Jóvenes Refugiados de Caridades Católicas)”.

Samaritan’s Feet sirve e inspira esperanza en los niños al proporcionar zapatos como base para una vida espiritual y saludable, preparándolos para el éxito en la educación y las oportunidades económicas. Desde su fundación en 2003, Samaritan’s Feet y sus aliados han distribuido más de 8 millones de pares de zapatos en 108 países y 440 ciudades de Estados Unidos.

Caridades Católicas estima que se distribuirán 500 ‘Bolsas de Esperanza’ en su próximo evento.

¿Lo sabía?

El Día Mundial de los Refugiados se celebró a nivel mundial por primera vez el 20 de junio de 2001, en conmemoración del 50 aniversario de la Convención de 1951 sobre el Estatuto de los Refugiados. Originalmente se conocía como el Día de los Refugiados de África, antes de que la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas lo designara oficialmente como un día internacional en diciembre de 2000. Para mayor información visite www.un.org/ es/observances/refugee-day

SERVICIO CATÓLICO DE NOTICIAS | ADREES LATIF, REUTERS

Niños migrantes procedentes de Centroamérica se guarecen de la lluvia en un vehículo de la patrulla fronteriza en Penitas, Texas, el 14 de marzo de 2021, mientras esperan ser trasladados a territorio estadounidenses después de cruzar Río Grande.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

FOTOS CORTESÍA IGLESIA SAN FRANCISCO DE ASÍS

La fiesta de Corpus Christi culmina con la procesión solemne del Santísimo, en donde los asistentes caminan suavemente sobre la alfombra desde la iglesia hasta la gruta de Nuestra Señora del Monte Carmelo para luego dirigirse al Santuario de San José.

En cada una de las paradas se expone el Santísimo Sacramento y se da la bendición.

Coloridas alfombras en procesión de Corpus Christi CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

FRANKLIN — Siguiendo una tradición iniciada hace aproximadamente quince años, los fieles de la Iglesia San Francisco de Asís en Franklin, celebraron el domingo 6 de junio la fiesta de Corpus Christi de una manera especial, como solo ellos saben hacerlo.

Una hermosa y colorida alfombra de aserrín, conformada por 32 diferentes secciones que representan artísticamente diversos motivos de la fe católica, fue confeccionada cubriendo la ruta por la que cada año se desplaza la procesión del Santísimo.

Más de 150 personas agrupadas por familias, pequeños grupos, o hasta individualmente, se encargaron de realizar la extensa obra de arte de gran trabajo pero breve duración.

Las alfombras de aserrín o flores tienen su origen en Europa y fueron traídas a las Américas por los conquistadores

españoles. La tradición, que no solo se lleva a cabo durante la fiesta de Corpus Christi sino también en Semana Santa y otras festividades y procesiones, encuentra su máxima expresión en América del Sur, Centroamérica y México.

Por ejemplo, en Guatemala, El Salvador y Honduras, al igual que en Perú y México, son muy frecuentes en las procesiones de Semana Santa.

La tradición de la elaboración de la alfombra comenzó en San Francisco de Asís cuando un feligrés llegado del norte se mudó a Franklin y presentó el proyecto. Al principio, bajo la conducción de los Caballeros de Colón, la alfombra constaba de solo cinco secciones.

Desde entonces, gracias a la dirección de los feligreses José Soto y Miguel Arellano, ha crecido considerablemente. Solamente no se pudo presentar en 2020 debido a las restricciones de reunión decretadas por la pandemia de COVID-19.

Carlos Mendoza, feligrés de la parroquia y uno de los colaboradores en el proyecto, comentó que la preparación comienza con un mes de anticipación a la fecha central.

“Cada año el aserradero Trull Forest Products dona el material que recogemos en bolsas. Después de guardarlo una semana o dos llega el tiempo de pintado sumergiendo el material en agua con diferentes tintes de color. Tras el proceso de secado, el aserrín se guarda quedando listo para el gran día”, dijo Mendoza.

Los dibujos se realizan el mismo día de la fiesta entre la 1:30 y 4 de la tarde, después de concluir la Misa en español y antes de iniciar el rito de celebración de la Fiesta de Corpus.

El evento es una verdadera fiesta comunitaria que dura todo el día. Inicia con una kermés y culmina con la procesión solemne del Santísimo, en donde los asistentes caminan suavemente sobre la alfombra desde la iglesia hasta la gruta de Nuestra Señora

del Monte Carmelo para luego dirigirse al Santuario de San José. En cada una de las paradas se expone el Santísimo Sacramento y se da la bendición. La procesión luego regresa a la iglesia con el Santísimo Sacramento para una bendición final.

Este año, el evento de Corpus Christi fue particularmente significativo, ya que coincidió con el vigésimo aniversario de ordenación al sacerdocio del Padre Tien Duong, párroco muy querido por la colonia hispana y que ya tiene una larga presencia como pastor en la comunidad católica de Franklin, Carolina del Norte.

Más online En www.facebook.com/CNHEspañol: Vea un video y fotografías de la procesión de Corpus Christi en la parroquia San Francisco de Asís en Franklin

PADRE MICHAEL T. KOTTAR: 1967-2021

Querido pastor de Shelby falleció a los 53 años PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITORA

SHELBY — “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” proclamaron los feligreses de la Iglesia Santa María Auxiliadora al despedirse el miércoles 2 de junio de su párroco, el Padre Michael Kottar.

El Padre Kottar, de 53 años, falleció el 22 de mayo después de presentar batalla a una rara infección cerebral llamada enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob. Había servido como sacerdote católico durante casi 28 años, la mitad de los cuales pasó en la parroquia de Shelby.

El Obispo Peter Jugis celebró una Misa de Cuerpo Presente el 2 de junio en la iglesia, que se llenó completamente con los feligreses, familiares y amigos Kottar del Padre Kottar y sus compañeros sacerdotes.

Cuando terminó la Misa fúnebre y el ataúd del Padre Kottar salía en procesión de la iglesia, los feligreses gritaron “¡Viva Cristo Rey! ¡Viva Cristo Rey! ¡Viva Cristo Rey!” mientras se secaban las lágrimas de los ojos.

Un amigo cercano del Padre Kottar pronunció la homilía. El Padre James M. Cox, pastor de Annunciation B.V.M. Church en Havertown, Pensilvania, relacionó el

sufrimiento físico del Padre Kottar en sus últimos días con los sufrimientos de los santos a los que tenía devoción, entre ellos, Santa Teresa de Lisieux y Santa Rita de Casia.

Como los santos, dijo el Padre Cox, “estaba, de hecho, ansioso por ver a Dios, sabiendo que nada en esta vida pasajera podría apartarlo de lo que más importaba: estar con Dios”.

“Como un sacerdote fiel”, dijo el Padre Cox, “se presentó a Cristo en su propia cruz como un regalo de amor, buscando solo participar en Su resurrección en el último día. Esa es la esperanza de todo cristiano: la vida eterna con Dios”.

Durante la celebración de la Misa fúnebre por el reposo del alma del Padre Kottar, el Padre Cox dijo, “lo hacemos sabiendo que él se presenta ante el trono de Dios como sacerdote, marcado desde el momento de su unción. Él lleva consigo todas las oraciones que se le han confiado, cada pecado jamás confesado, cada cruz que se ofreció a llevar, y cada Santa Comunión con Dios que hizo posible a través de Su gracia cada día”.

Después de la Misa, el entierro se realizó en privado en el cementerio de la Abadía de Belmont.

Michael T. Kottar nació el 6 de diciembre de 1967 en Youngstown, Ohio, hijo de Michael y la fallecida Kathleen (Kropelak) Kottar. Asistió a la escuela Immaculate Heart PASTOR, PASA A LA PÁGINA 20A

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Una misa fúnebre ofrecida el 2 de junio por el alma del Padre Michael Kottar, párroco de la parroquia Santa María Auxiliadora en Shelby, atrajo a cientos de feligreses, familiares, amigos y compañeros sacerdotes.

Un velatorio de cuatro horas y una vigilia de oración realizada la noche anterior también atrajo a una multitud de personas que llegaron a dar el último adiós a su amado pastor y amigo, quien murió a la edad de 53 años de una rara enfermedad cerebral. En la foto: el Padre James M. Cox de Havertown, Pensilvania, pronuncia la homilía.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Alrededor de un centenar de niños y niñas recibieron la Primera Comunión durante cuatro misas celebradas por el párroco, Padre Enrique González, en la Iglesia Divino Redentor en Boonville el pasado fin de semana del 5 y 6 de junio. Una de las Misas se celebró el sábado por la tarde y las otras tres a lo largo del día domingo.

SERGIO LÓPEZ | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

FOTO CORTESÍA ALEX MOREIRA

La Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Merced en Winston Salem realizó una concurrida procesión el domingo 6 de junio con ocasión de celebrarse la fiesta de Corpus Christi. Como se aprecia, un numeroso grupo de fieles hispanos acompañó el Santísimo Sacramento durante el recorrido procesional.

Como lo demuestra la imagen, toda la familia en pleno participa de la Misión del Santo Rosario que se extiende como reguero de pólvora en el vicariato de Hickory. En la gráfica, los niños reciben una charla del Diácono Darío García, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano en ese vicariato.

FOTO CORTESÍA DIÁCONO DARÍO GARCÍA

Una hermosa celebración de renovación de votos matrimoniales reunió a cuarenta familias provenientes de las parroquias Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, San Lucas y San John Neumann en Charlotte, en una Misa que tuvo lugar en la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe el pasado sábado cinco de junio y fue organizada por el capítulo local de los Caballeros de Colón.

El Padre Benjamín Roberts fue entrevistado por el programa CFN Live, de la cadena Catholic Faith Network, y mostró el mural mariano que adorna el ingreso a la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes en Monroe, una obra de arte sagrado que celebra la diversidad que se vive y disfruta en esa parroquia.

FOTO CORTESÍA EDUARDO BERNAL

IMAGEN TOMADA DE CFN LIVE

World Refugee Day, June 20th

20 de Junio, Día Mundial del Refugiado

World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees. It is a time to celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.

El Día Mundial del Refugiado es un día internacional designado por las Naciones Unidas para honrar a los refugiados. Es un momento para celebrar la fuerza y coraje de las personas que se han visto obligadas a huir de su país de origen para escapar de conflictos o persecuciones.

On this special day of reflection, please join us in prayer for the safety of millions of refugees in search of peace, hope and freedom, and welcome those refugees who have made our Charlotte community their new home.

En este día especial de reflexión, únase a nosotros en oración por la seguridad de millones de refugiados en busca de paz, esperanza y libertad, y dar la bienvenida a los refugiados que han hecho de nuestra comunidad de Charlotte su nuevo hogar.

For more information about refugee resettlement and ways you can help, please visit our website: ccdoc.org/en/services/refugeelanguage

Para obtener más información sobre el reasentamiento de refugiados y las formas en que puede ayudar, visite nuestro sitio web: ccdoc.org/en/services/refugee-language

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 10A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Especial y significativa presentación de niños en San Benito Celebración mezcla costumbre latina y africana SERGIO LÓPEZ CORRESPONSAL

WINSTON-SALEM — En Lucas 2:21-40, el Evangelista narra la presentación de Jesús en el templo, una tradición judía que sigue la ley de Moisés.

A los ocho días de nacido, Jesús fue circuncidado. A los cuarenta días, el 2 de febrero, al cumplirse el tiempo de purificación, cuando se celebra también la fiesta de la Candelaria, Jesús es llevado al templo para ser presentado.

Nosotros, los hispanos, adoptamos esta hermosa costumbre que nos recuerda a la Sagrada Familia, y cuando nuestros niños cumplen los cuarenta días de nacidos los llevamos al templo para presentarlos al Señor.

Usualmente, al final de la Misa, el sacerdote pregunta a los fieles si alguno desea presentar a su niño o niña. Los padres, con el niño o niña en brazos, se acercan al altar donde el sacerdote imparte la bendición, rocía agua bendita y pide el aplauso de la comunidad.

En la Iglesia San Benito el Moro en Winston Salem, la tradición, hermosa y llena de gozo, adquiere un significado y simbolismo especial. Su pastor, el Reverendo Padre Henry Amid Tutuwan, presenta a los bebés tomándolos en sus brazos y los levanta frente al altar, ofreciéndolos al Señor, para después mostrarlos a la comunidad, mientras la feligresía entona cánticos de alabanza a Dios. Este gesto, hermoso y único, genera una alegría que puede verse reflejada en las expresiones de los asistentes.

Una mezcla de culturas, por parte del Padre Henry que es originario de Camerún, y por parte de la comunidad hispana que mayoritariamente proviene de la Costa Chica de Guerrero y Oaxaca, así como parte de Tierra Caliente. Es hermoso ver cómo las culturas se unen en una manifestación extraordinaria a

SERGIO LÓPEZ | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

El Padre Henry Amid Tutuwan presenta a los niños y niñas tomándolos en sus brazos y levantándolos frente al altar. El Padre Tutuwan fue ordenado sacerdote el 4 de abril de 2002 en la Diócesis de Buea, la más antigua de Camerún, África. través de estas presentaciones.

Algo también increíble que sucede durante estos momentos es que no solo los pequeños bebés gozan del privilegio de ser presentados frente al sagrario, sino que también los niños de tres años, mucho más robustos y de mayor estatura.

Cualquiera pensaría que no hay manera que el reverendo levante a un niño o niña de tres años, pero el Padre Tutuwan, sorprendiendo a todos, lo hace. ¡Y hasta de una manera que parece algo sencillo y sin esfuerzo!

Sin ninguna duda, el Padre Henry, como cariñosamente lo llama su feligresía, se esfuerza por integrarse a la comunidad hispana y aporta mucho con su energía y dedicación.

El Padre Henry Amid Tutuwan fue instalado como párroco de la Iglesia Católica San Benito el Moro y la Parroquia de la Misión del Buen Pastor por nuestro Obispo de Charlotte, Reverendísimo Peter Jugis, el lunes 23 de julio de 2018.

San Juan Bautista Este es el único santo al cual se le celebra la fiesta el día de su nacimiento. San Juan Bautista nació seis meses antes de Jesucristo, es decir que en seis meses, el 24 de diciembre, estaremos celebrando el nacimiento de nuestro Redentor Jesús.

El primer capítulo del Evangelio de San Lucas nos cuenta de Zacarías, un sacerdote judío casado con Santa Isabel, con quien no tenía hijos porque ella era estéril. Siendo viejos, un día se le apareció el ángel Gabriel que le dijo que vería al Mesías, y que su mujer iba a tener un hijo a quien pondría por nombre Juan. Ezequiel dudó, por lo que el ángel lo dejó mudo hasta que todo se cumpliera.

Seis meses después, el mismo ángel se apareció a la Santísima Virgen comunicándole que iba a ser Madre del Hijo de Dios, y también le dio la noticia del embarazo de su prima Isabel.

De la infancia de San Juan nada se sabe. Tal vez, siendo aún un muchacho y huérfano de padres, huyó al desierto lleno del Espíritu de Dios donde vivió dedicado a la penitencia y oración. Vestía sólo una piel de camello y se alimentaba de frutas silvestres, raíces, langostas y miel silvestre.

Cuando Juan tenía más o menos treinta años, se fue a la ribera del Jordán para predicar un bautismo de penitencia, conducido por el Espíritu Santo que le dijo que vería a Jesús. “Aquel sobre quien vieres que me poso en forma de paloma, Ese es”, le dijo.

Llegado al Jordán se puso a predicar y bautizar a las gentes diciéndoles: “Yo los bautizo con agua para moverlos a la penitencia; pero el que ha de venir después de mí es más poderoso que yo, y no soy digno ni siquiera de soltar la correa de sus sandalias. Él es el que habrá de bautizarlos en el Espíritu Santo”.

Los judíos empezaron a sospechar si era el Cristo que tenía que venir y enviaron a unos sacerdotes a preguntarle quién era. Él confesó claramente que no era Cristo.

Por ese tiempo llegó Jesús de Galilea al Jordán en búsqueda de Juan para ser bautizado.

Juan se resistía, por lo que Jesús le dijo: “Déjame hacer esto ahora, así es como conviene que nosotros cumplamos toda justicia”.

Habiendo sido bautizado Jesús, al momento de salir del agua, se abrieron los cielos y se vio al Espíritu de Dios que bajaba en forma de paloma, y permaneciendo sobre Él se escuchó una voz que decía: “Este es mi Hijo muy amado, en quien tengo todas mis complacencias”.

Herodías era la mujer de Filipo, hermano de Herodes. Herodías se divorció de su esposo y se casó con Herodes, rey en Galilea.

Juan le recriminó diciendo que no era lícito tener por mujer a la que es de su hermano.

Herodes, instigado por su mujer, mandó gente hasta el Jordán para llevarlo preso,

queriendo matarle, más no se atrevió sabiendo que era hombre justo y santo.

Herodías celebró el cumpleaños de Herodes con un gran banquete, invitando a muchos personajes importantes. Al final del banquete entró la hija de Herodías y bailó en presencia de todos, agradando mucho a Herodes.

Entonces el rey ofreció a la muchacha darle lo que quisiera. Azuzada por su madre, la joven le pidió la cabeza de Juan Bautista en una bandeja.

Obligado a cumplir su palabra, el rey llamó a su guardia personal, ordenó que decapitaran a Juan y se entregue a la muchacha la cabeza de Juan en la forma que ella lo había solicitado.

— Condensado de Aciprensa

Oración a San Juan Bautista Bendito San Juan Bautista, que fuiste elegido para anunciar a los hombres la venida del reino de Cristo, guía nuestros pasos por las sendas de la justicia y la paz, y alcánzanos del Señor su misericordia y perdón.

Gloriosísimo San Juan Bautista, precursor de mi Señor Jesucristo, lucero hermoso del mejor sol, trompeta del Cielo, voz del verbo eterno, consígueme del Señor su benevolencia y bendición.

Tú que eres el mayor de los santos y alférez del Rey de la Gloria, que eres más hijo de la gracia que de la naturaleza, y por todas las razones príncipe poderosísimo en el Cielo, consígueme del Señor su clemencia y protección .

Glorioso San Juan Bautista, hoy en mi desespero te ruego que me ayudes en estos duros momentos, necesito tu valioso auxilio para solucionar mis penas y miserias, media ante el Señor para que me conceda: (decir lo que se necesita conseguir).

Te pido mártir invencible que no desoigas mis penas y por los privilegios con que te enriqueció Dios consigue que mi pedido sea concedido lo antes posible si fuere conveniente para mi salvación; y si no, una perfecta resignación, con abundante gracia, que haciéndome amigo de Dios, me asegure las felicidades eternas de la Gloria. Amén.

Rezar El Credo, tres Padrenuestros, tres Avemarías y tres Glorias.

Repetir la oración y los rezos durante tres días consecutivos.

Lecturas Diarias 20-26 JUNIO

Domingo: Job 38:1, 8-11, 2 Corintios 5:14-17, Marcos 4:35-41; Lunes (San Luis Gonzaga): Génesis 12:1-9, Mateo 7:1-5; Martes: Génesis 13:2, 5-18, Mateo 7:6, 12-14; Miércoles: Génesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Mateo 7:15-20; Jueves (Natividad de San Juan Bautista): Jeremías 1:4-10, 1 Pedro 1:8-12, Lucas 1:5-17; Viernes: Génesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22, Mateo 8:1-4; Sábado: Génesis 8:1-15, Mateo 8:5-17

27 JUNIO-3 JULIO

Domingo: Sabiduría 1:13-15, 2:23-24, 2 Corintios 8:7, 9:1315, Marcos 5:21-43; Lunes (San Irineo): Génesis 18:1633, Mateo 8:18-22; Martes (San Pedro y San Pablo): Hechos 12:1-11, 2 Timoteo 4:6-8, 17-18, Mateo 16:13-19; Miércoles: Génesis 21:5, 8-20, Mateo 8:28-34; Jueves: Génesis 22:1b-19, Mateo 9:1-8; Viernes: Génesis 23:1-4,19, 24:1-8, 62-67, Mateo 9:9-13; Sábado (Santo Tomás Apóstol): Efesios 2:19-22, Juan 20:24-29

4-10 JULIO

Domingo: Ezequiel 2:2-5, 2 Corintios 12:7-10, Marcos 6:1-6; Lunes: Génesis 28:10-22a, Mateo 9:18-26; Martes: Génesis 32:23-33, Mateo 9:32-38; Miércoles: Génesis 41:55-57, 42:57a, 17-24a, Mateo 10:1-7; Jueves: Génesis 44:18-21, 23b-29, 45:1-5, Mateo 10:715; Viernes: Génesis 46:1-7, 28-30, Mateo 10:16-23; Sábado: Génesis 49:29-32, 50:15-26a, Mateo 10:24-33

Mix

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

In theaters

‘Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway’ The beloved characters created

by Beatrix Potter in her series of children’s books stray even further from their amiable roots in this sequel to the 2018 film, a blend of live action and computer-generated animation once again directed and co-written by Will Gluck. A slick publisher promises fame and fortune to a budding author

(Rose Byrne) and her husband (Domhnall Gleeson), so long as changes are made to her stories about the eponymous bunny (voice of James Corden), alterations that will cast him as a villain. Upset and confused, he runs away and falls in with a gang of thieves in the big city, risking everything. The manic tone and snarky humor will offend purists, but those unfamiliar with the Potter canon will likely enjoy a fast-paced, slapstick-filled adventure with positive messages about family, morality and good behavior. Some rude humor, mild action sequences.

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

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On TV n Friday, June 18, 11:30 a.m.

(EWTN) “St. Patrick of Ireland.”

Special feature about St. Patrick, one of Ireland’s most famous and beloved saints. n Saturday, June 19, 2 p.m.

(EWTN) “St. Margaret Mary and the Sacred Heart.” The remarkable life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Catholic nun whose devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was officially recognized 75 years after her death. n Saturday, June 19, 8 p.m.

(EWTN) “St. Peter.” Acclaimed actor, Omar Sharif gives a powerful performance in the title role of this classic film as St. Peter, the apostle, martyr and the rock upon which Jesus built His Church. n Sunday, June 20, 6 a.m. (EWTN) “Angelus with Pope Francis.” Pope Francis leads the world in the recitation of the Angelus, live from Rome. n Tuesday, June 22, 9-11 p.m.

(PBS) “Mysteries of Mental Illness.”

First two back-to-back episodes of a four-part series exploring how people have grappled with the problem of mental illness throughout history. The series concludes Wednesday, June 23, 9-11 p.m. EDT (TV-14 – parents strongly cautioned. The second

two installments are rated TV-PG – parental guidance suggested.) n Wednesday, June 23, 8-9 p.m.

(EWTN) “EWTN Live.” On this edition of the weekly show, series host Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa is joined

by Father Fabryl Kornel, secretarygeneral of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress scheduled to be held in Budapest, Hungary Sept.

5-12. n Thursday, June 24, 9:45 a.m.

(EWTN) “Crux.” Bishop Donald Hying encourages viewers to live in the quiet of the moment to better hear and understand God’s plan for their lives.

n Saturday, June 26, 10:10 p.m.midnight (Cinemax) “The Way Back” (2020). Director Gavin O’Connor’s sports drama tells a story of hope and redemption after devastating

loss. When the basketball coach at the Catholic high school he attended suffers a heart attack, a former hoops star-turned-alcoholicconstruction-worker (Ben Affleck) reluctantly agrees to take over the program. As he exerts a positive influence on the players (most prominently Brandon Wilson and Melvin Gregg), he finds a new sense of purpose and begins to heal. The film, penned by Brad Ingelsby, does nothing to break free of the traditional formula of sports movies. Yet Affleck carries the proceedings with able acting and the younger members of the cast, especially Wilson, give believable performances as well. (CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R) n Tuesday, June 29, 11 a.m.

(EWTN) “Solemnity of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.” Pope Francis celebrates the Solemn Mass of Sts. Peter and Paul, live from Rome. n Thursday, July 1, 11 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Junipero Serra: A Man of God, A Mission of Love.” Critics have questioned the legacy of St. Junipero Serra, but this remarkable documentary presents compelling evidence of how his heroic missionary activity was rooted in Christ’s commandments to love one’s neighbor.

DISCOVER THE CATHOLIC DIFFERENCE

Rely on the Knights of Columbus to protect your family’s future.

Bob Gordon Field Agent

516-551-7838 robert.gordon@kofc.org

LIFE INSURANCE • DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE • RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

Founding members Marlene and John Olenick explain what prompted them to support Room At The Inn through an endowment fund:

“Having been involved in the pro-life movement since 1973, when we decided to establish an endowment through the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, Room at the Inn seemed to be a natural choice. We have long admired the ministry for “walking the talk” in the pro-life movement. By supporting Room at the Inn as they support moms and babies, we will be leaving a legacy of life.”

Join the Room At The Inn Heritage Society by making a planned gift now.

Please contact Marianne for more info at 336.391.6299 or by email mdonadio@roominn.org For more info about our programs, visit www.roominn.org

Our schools

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 12A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Sister Emma Yondura, SSJ, amuses St. Leo School students during a school day. The Sisters of St. Joseph have been beloved members of the Triad area Catholic Schools for decades.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ST. LEO SCHOOL, BISHOP MCGUINNESS HIGH SCHOOL AND ST. LEO PARISH

‘My heart is going to be here always’ Three beloved Sisters of St. Joseph who taught generations bid farewell SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

WINSTON-SALEM — The close of the school year marked the end of an era as the Sisters of St. Joseph bid farewell to the communities at St. Leo School, St. Leo Parish and Bishop McGuinness High School where they have served for decades.

Sister Emma Yondura, Sister John Christopher “J.C.” Tate and Sister Anne Thomas Taylor are leaving after a combined 80 years of service.

Sister Emma will go on to a new elementary school assignment in Philadelphia, Pa., and Sister J.C. and Sister Anne are retiring to the Sisters of St. Joseph’s motherhouse in Chestnut Hill, near Philadelphia.

Since their arrival to the diocese in 1943, the Sisters of St. Joseph have been integral to the founding and flourishing of Catholic schools in the Triad: Villa Maria Anna Academy in 1949, St. Leo School in 1953 and Bishop McGuinness High School in 1959. Numerous sisters have passed through the schools’ doors over the decades, but the three sisters who have served most recently are especially beloved.

FAITHFUL SERVANTS

Sister Emma came to the diocese in 1973, just one year after it was carved out of the Raleigh diocese. Forty of her 53 years of religious life have been devoted to the Charlotte diocese. She first served in Charlotte at St. Ann School and then moved to the Triad, serving at St. Leo School as a first-grade teacher, facilitator of Catholic identity and afterschool care leader over the years.

First-graders have been her love since beginning as a teacher in 1970, and hundreds of students have learned

Yondura

Tate

Taylor

from her how to strive to do their very best – as God is calling them to do.

“Even though I have to move forward, my heart is going to be here always,” Sister Emma says. She recalled the generations of families she has seen come through St. Leo School. “I will miss knowing the families I have ministered to all along. It’s too close to my heart to have to say goodbye to them… I have had so many happy memories.”

Sister J.C. became a part of the BMHS family in 2001.

She taught chemistry for many years, demonstrating in her classroom that faith and science go hand-in-hand.

In recent years, she served as a substitute teacher in the science department and as attendance coordinator.

Sister J.C. says she would love to “sneak out” with no fanfare. “I will miss both the students and the faculty,” she says. “I loved being down here (in North Carolina). I will miss the members of the PTO, too. They are the most thoughtful people you can ever know.”

“I loved teaching. I’ve loved working with kids over a long period of time,” she explains. “I will miss teaching.

I’m gonna miss the kids.”

Sister Anne joined the BMHS community in 1996, first as a music teacher, then as dean of students. She helped build up the school’s theater arts offerings from an extracurricular program into its own department. Most recently, she has been a “spiritual counselor” for students who come to her to discuss their challenges, aspirations and prayer life.

“It’s sad that our presence will not be physically there, but the spirit and our charism will always be there,” Sister Anne says. “The charism and the hospitality and the

(Left) Sister Emma receives recognition for her dedication as a firstgrade teacher at St. Leo School. (Opposite page, from top, clockwise) Sister Emma Yondura and St. Leo students enjoy lemonade ice cones.

Father Christopher Gober, pastor of St. Leo Church, offers his thanks to the Sisters of St. Joseph June 12. Siobahn Magin and her daughter bid Sister J.C. Tate goodbye June 15.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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New Options Program, endowment to help special-needs students SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

warmth will always be there. It’s who we are, it’s how we work and it’s what we teach.”

IN APPRECIATION

The sisters’ substantial contributions to the community have been widely recognized and celebrated in the parishes and schools they served.

“We are grateful for the kindness and care these sisters, and their predecessors, have provided for generations of students. Throughout their years of service, the sisters have become members of our families, taught thousands of students, mentored fellow teachers and exemplified Christian discipleship,” school leaders said in a letter signed by Father Christopher Gober, pastor of St. Leo Church; Gary Callus, principal of St. Leo School; and from Bishop McGuinness High School, Father Noah Carter, chaplain, and George Boschini, principal.

“The sisters have been role models for what it means to give oneself to others through a vocation to religious life.

Their charism as Sisters of St. Joseph has been more than teaching – they have imbued our schools with love for God and others,” they said.

As the school year wound down to a close, multiple celebrations were held to honor the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph and to say goodbye to Sisters J.C., Anne and Emma.

On May 27, St. Leo School dedicated its library in honor of Sister Emma. St. Leo Parish held a special farewell reception for the sisters June 12. And on June 15, BMHS dedicated two statues in honor of the Sisters of St. Joseph and their contributions to the Catholic community in North Carolina over the past 60 years.

PART OF THE FAMILY

The Nolans are one of hundreds of Triad families touched by the Sisters of St. Joseph over the decades.

All four of the Nolan children remember the sisters’ compassionate presence at St. Leo School and Bishop McGuinness High School while they were growing up.

“The best thing about the sisters is that they adapt how they care for their students based on who their students are. They treat them like family,” says Siobahn Magin, the youngest of the four Nolan children, who is now married and a parent herself.

Magin says the sisters recognized she had leadership potential and gave her opportunities to shine. She and Sister J.C. developed a close bond during her years at Bishop McGuinness High School – so much so that Magin calls Sister J.C. “Grandma.”

“To have someone in your corner who leads with the love of service and their love of Christ is just so special.”

Her mother, Trish Nolan, recalls how both Sister Anne and Sister J.C. accepted each of her children just the way they were, especially through their awkward teenage years.

“They looked at each of my children and recognized they were good kids and recognized their strengths and weaknesses,” she says. “They just helped the kids reach their potential. They treated them all as individuals.”

The sisters were in attendance at the Nolan children’s events over the years and were invited to all of their weddings.

“They are just regular gals who loved my children unconditionally through the highs and lows in our lives,” Nolan says.

Although Magin and Nolan have moved out of the area, they made the hours-long drive to the statue dedication June 15. They wanted to be present because, as Trish Nolan says, “The Nolans love the Sisters of St. Joseph.

They are part of our family.”

NEW ENDOWMENTS

To honor the sisters’ legacy of Catholic education, St. Leo School has established the “Sister Emma Yondura Endowment Fund” that will support an annual full scholarship to a rising first-grade student at St. Leo School, The endowment was funded by parishioners’ donations as well as donations from the parish and school.

An endowment called the “Sisters of St. Joseph Fund” has also been established in their honor. Proceeds generated by the endowment will provide tuition assistance for families who wish to provide a Catholic education for their children at BMHS. Katie Williams, director of advancement for BMHS, is coordinating the endowment gifts with the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation. She has worked with the sisters for the past 12 years.

“I know that the impact the sisters have had in our school and in Catholic education as a whole will be remembered for years to come,” Williams says. “I hear all the time memories and stories of sisters who have touched the hearts of so many staff members and alumni here at Bishop.

“It’s bittersweet to see them leave, not only as a loss for the students who are to come, but for me and many of us to bid farewell to two of our friends. I know I speak for many people when I say it has been my honor to work beside them.”

— St. Leo School, Bishop McGuinness High School and Patricia L. Guilfoyle contributed.

Honor the sisters’ legacy Interested in contributing to the “Sisters of St. Joseph Endowment” in honor of their legacy to Catholic education in the Triad? Contact Katie Williams at 336-564-1009 or kwilliams@bmhs.us for more information.

CHARLOTTE — A new program will enable children with special needs to remain enrolled in the Diocese of Charlotte’s Catholic schools from kindergarten all the way through high school.

The Options Program, which launches in August for the 2021-’22 academic year, creates a path for kindergarten-fifth grade students enrolled in the Matthew Morgan program at St. Patrick School and the MAP program at St. Ann School who continue at Holy Trinity Middle School in Charlotte to go on to Charlotte Catholic High School. Students in the PACE program at Our Lady of the Assumption School can go on to Charlotte Catholic as well.

In elementary school, the Matthew Morgan program at St. Patrick School serves students with Down Syndrome.

The MAP program at St. Ann School and the PACE program at Our Lady of the Assumption School are designed for students with special needs who require a modified academic curriculum. All three of these programs matriculate to Holy Trinity’s MAP (Modified Academic Program) for students in sixth to eighth grades.

The diocese’s Catholic schools have served students with special learning needs for many years, but this additional effort will open the door to a high school education and opportunities for higher education.

“What makes this new is a curriculum specifically developed to bring these two programs together and creates a ‘certificate’ path that will allow these students to explore options on college/university campuses beyond high school,” said Amy Tobergte, principal of St. Patrick School and among those spearheading the Options Program.

“We call it the Options Program because it gives options for all students, so they all have the opportunity to learn in a Catholic environment,” said Angela Montague, former principal of St. Patrick School when the Matthew Morgan Program began about 18 years ago and now assistant principal at Charlotte Catholic High School.

“It’s been really exciting” to be a part of developing the program, said Stephen Dey, parent of a specialneeds daughter who just graduated from Holy Trinity Middle School. Avery Dey will be among the first students to participate in the Options Program this fall at Charlotte Catholic.

Dey himself is a 1985 graduate of Charlotte Catholic, and a member of the diocesan school board serving as a parent advisor on the Catholic Schools Office’s Special Needs committee.

“There has been a lot of research done in the last couple of years on how we want the program to look and what life skills we want to teach,” Dey said. “Over the last three or four years as the program developed at Holy Trinity, with our sights on CCHS as Avery moves on, the program gained support. It is going to be a great thing.”

Dey noted that the Options Program is still in the initial stages, but he encouraged parents of special-needs students to “have the endgame in mind,” by supporting their child with developing their social skills and looking ahead to what they may want to do beyond high school.

Dey and his wife Jessica have set up an endowment for the Options Program with an initial gift of $5,000 to help ensure financial support is available in the future for students and their families. Other donors have joined them and the endowment now totals $20,000.

The hope is that the endowment will grow and support special-needs programs in all 19 schools across the diocese.

“The endowment is our legacy we can leave to help build the program and funding as we go on,” Dey said.

For more information Learn more about the Options Program at Charlotte Catholic High School and other educational programs for students with enhanced educational needs online at www. charlottediocese.org/macs/special-learning-programs or contact Sissie Kilby, admissions coordinator, at 704-370-3273 or email slkilby@charlottediocese.org.

Our nation

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 14A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

On DACA anniversary, bishop urges pathway to citizenship for ‘Dreamers’ JULIE ASHER CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ migration committee marked the ninth anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program June 15 by urging Congress to act on creating a pathway to citizenship for its beneficiaries.

“Every day, DACA recipients make important contributions to their communities and the life of our nation,” said Washington Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, over 200,000 DACA recipients have served as essential workers, and they continue to demonstrate their resolve during this period of recovery.”

“Yet,” he added, “these young people have far too often faced uncertainty and rejection at the hands of our broken immigration system.”

DACA was created by President Barack Obama by executive order June 15, 2012.

It allows a work permit and relief from deportation, among other benefits, for young adult immigrants in the country without documents who qualify – those brought into the country illegally as children. The program does not provide a permanent solution so that they can legally remain in the country.

Though popular among Republicans and Democrats, efforts to pass a bill in Congress that would help put the group on a path toward permanent residency and eventual citizenship, have eluded past administrations.

“The Biden administration has identified immigration reform as a priority, and we look forward to seeing it realize that commitment through congressional engagement,” Bishop Dorsonville said in his

Thank You St. Rita of Cascia for prayers answered.

Grace Keller

CNS | MIKE BLAKE, REUTERS

Demonstrators in San Diego rally in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program June 18, 2020. statement. “Meanwhile, the ideal time for Congress to act has long since passed, though the opportunity and imperative still remain.”

“Dreamers,” as the DACA beneficiaries and other young immigrants are called, “deserve relief,” he said, as do those immigrants who are covered, he added, by the Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure programs, migrant agricultural workers and other essential workers who also are in the country illegally.

There are over 600,000 active DACA recipients currently living in the United States and as many as 3.6 million “Dreamers” total. According to a USCCB news release on the DACA anniversary, about 1.8 million of these Dreamers are eligible to be covered by DACA. “As a Church, we recognize the inherent, God-given dignity of every human person, regardless of immigration status,” Bishop Dorsonville said. “Therefore, we will continue to call for comprehensive immigration reform that preserves family unity, honors due process, respects the rule of law, recognizes the contributions of foreign-born workers, defends the vulnerable, and addresses the root causes of migration, consistent with the common good.”

Bishop Dorsonville submitted written testimony for a morning hearing June 15 held by the Senate Judiciary Committee on the proposed bipartisan American Dream

and Promise Act of 2021.

The House passed its version of the measure March 18, along with the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which provides a path to legal status for farmworkers.

The American Dream measure would create a “conditional permanent resident” status valid for up to 10 years that would protect DACA recipients and other Dreamers from deportation, allow them to work legally in the U.S. and permit them to travel outside the country – if they meet several requirements, including: establishing they came to the U.S. before the age of 18 and have continuously lived in the U.S. on or before Jan. 1, 2021, and being able to pass government and background security checks. They also must pay a fee.

The bill also would allow TPS holders and individuals covered by the Deferred Enforced Departure program, known as DED, to get a “green card,” a permanent resident card.

“Dreamers and TPS/DED holders are our neighbors, parishioners, and – most importantly – fellow children of God,” Bishop Dorsonville said in his testimony.

“We as a Church have long advocated for their legal protection and full inclusion in the life of our country.”

He noted the USCCB worked with members in the House and Senate on drafting the first versions of the DREAM Act in 2000 and 2001, “and it has been calling for passage of such a measure ever since.”

Bishop Dorsonville said even as the USCCB welcomed Obama’s creation of DACA, “it was not a substitute for enactment of the DREAM Act or similar legislative protections.”

The full name of the DREAM Act was the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act. Any measure Congress passes, the bishop said, should protect all Dreamers and offer them a path to citizenship; provide a path to citizenship for TPS and DED holders; and “maintain existing protections for unaccompanied children, asylum-seekers and family-based immigrants.”

On March 19, in a joint statement, Bishop Dorsonville and Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, USCCB president, praised the House for passage of the two immigration bills a day earlier.

The measures, they said, “would help many hardworking immigrants reach their God-given potential, not only for their benefit but for that of the entire country.”

The two prelates urged the Senate to take “swift action” and pass the legislation.

In an “action alert” June 15, the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, based in Washington, urged people to support a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients, TPS holders and immigrants in the country illegally by sending a message to the Senate to pass the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021.

The conference’s website has a link for sending messages: https://bit.ly/3cH8d8k.

These immigrants “are members of our communities and an integral part of this nation,” said Jesuit Father Ted Penton, secretary of the conference’s Office of Justice and Ecology. “They deserve the protection and opportunity of a clear path to citizenship.”

‘Solidarity in Freedom’ is theme of USCCB Religious Freedom Week June 22-29 CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops invites Catholics “to pray, reflect and act to promote religious freedom” during Religious Freedom Week, which is set for June 22-29 and has as its theme “Solidarity in Freedom.”

“Solidarity means much more than engaging in sporadic acts of generosity,” the USCCB said in a June 2 news release about the annual observance.

“It means thinking and acting in terms of community,” it said, quoting Pope Francis’ encyclical “Fratelli Tutti.”

“Religious freedom allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all,” the release added.

The first day of the observance is the feast of two English martyrs who fought religious persecution, Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher. The week includes the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, June 24, and ends with the feast of two apostles martyred in Rome – Sts. Peter and Paul.

Each day of the week focuses on different religious liberty topics of concern for the U.S. Catholic Church. Resources prepared by the USCCB for Catholics to “Pray – Reflect – Act” on the day’s theme can be found at: www.usccb.org/ ReligiousFreedomWeek. The topics are: n June 22: Adoption and foster care – “Pray that children waiting to be placed in a loving home and the caregivers who serve those children will find strength and support from the Church.” n June 23: Catholic social services during the pandemic – “Pray that God would continue to grant Catholic institutions the wisdom and courage to serve a world suffering the effects of the COVID pandemic.” n June 24: The Equality Act – “Pray that the dignity of all people will be respected in our country,” including “people of faith.” n June 25: Church vandalism – “Pray that Christian witness in the face of attacks on our churches will convert hearts to faith in Jesus Christ.” n June 26: Catholics in Nicaragua – “Pray for our Catholic sisters and brothers who are suffering in Nicaragua.” n June 27: Conscience rights for medical professionals – “Pray that governments would respect the consciences of all people who care for the sick and vulnerable.” n June 28: Pope Francis’ solidarity with beleaguered Christians in Iraq – “Pray for Christians in Iraq and that people of all faiths in the land of Abraham may live in peace.” n June 29: Free speech – “Pray that Christians will have the courage to speak the truth with kindness and clarity, even in the face of adversity.”

Catholics can connect with the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty by texting FREEDOM to 84576 to sign up for First Freedom News, the committee’s monthly newsletter.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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on-abortion-until-birth bill. Tragically, the only ones to benefit from such a law would be abortionists and abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood.”

Ending limit on culturing human embryos called ‘affront’ to value of life

In Brief National Right to Life decries new bill aimed at codifying Roe v. Wade WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Women’s Health Protection Act, introduced in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House June 8 “would invalidate nearly all existing state limitations on abortion,” said Jennifer Popik, director of federal legislation for National Right to Life. “This legislation would also prohibit states from adopting new protective laws in the future, including various types of laws specifically upheld as constitutionally permissible by the U.S. Supreme Court,” she said in a June 9 statement.

The measure was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and in the House by Reps. Judy Chu, D-Calif., Lois Frankel, D-Fla., and Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass. Blumenthal first introduced the measure in 2013 and has reintroduced it off and on over the years. The current measure has 48 Democrats as co-sponsors in the Senate; Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Bob Casey Jr., D-Pa., are not co-sponsoring it. In the House, there are 176 co-sponsors, all of whom are Democrats.

Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said the measure “would essentially remove all legal protections for unborn children on the federal and state level. The Women’s Health Protection Act is, in effect, a no-limits-

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lifting a long-standing prohibition on the ability of scientists to culture human embryos in the lab past 14 days shows “an utter disregard” for the value of human life and is “an affront to the sanctity of human life,” said two Catholic members of Congress, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., and Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind. The International Society for Stem Cell Research said May 26 that what’s known as “the 14-day” rule, in place for 40 years, should be lifted and that regulatory bodies in each country that conduct this type of research should decide what research will be permitted and how.

ISSCR’s guidelines previously put the culturing of human embryos beyond 14 days postfertilization in its most restrictive category three: “prohibited research activities.” The new guidelines, drafted by a task force of scientists and ethicists, omit longer embryo culture from this category and encourage a public discussion about allowing it.

“The ISSCR has shown an utter disregard for the value and dignity of human life,” Smith said May 27. He said the previous 14day rule “was already unethical and morally repugnant, but the ISSCR has now removed all restraint, allowing unborn humans at any stage of development to be experimented on, manipulated and destroyed.”

— Catholic News Service

Please pray for the following deacons who died during the month of June Canio Codella Edward Morovich Hugo May Gerald Hickey John Parrish Eugene Gillis Ronald Steinkamp

6/25/1991 6/1/2000 6/23/2010 6/6/2011 6/6/2015 6/6/2017 6/10/2018

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“Get your ducks in a row!”

Summer Bible Institute July 11 – 17, 2021

The long tradition of the Summer Bible Institute continues this year, but in a new and exciting way! The presentations will be a combination of a Sunday evening introductory Zoom session, eight 40-minute pre-recorded talks by each speaker, and a live online conclusion & discussion with each speaker at the end of the week.

Registration is required to receive the links to the programs. There is no set charge, but donations are accepted and very much appreciated!

Old Testament Reading the Old Testament through the lens of suffering.

Presented by: Kathy McGovern

Suffering is a common denominator in nearly every book in the Old Testament. Beginning with the loss of the Garden in Genesis, the Old Testament stories, histories and writings all have a common thread of suffering. These presentations will consider the role that suffering plays in the salvation history story. Does suffering have a role in our lives too?

Kathy McGovern – is a long-time Scripture teacher in the Denver area.

She taught in the Denver Catholic Biblical school for 17 years and writes a weekly Scripture column, The Story and You, for parish bulletins around the country. She has Masters Degrees in Liturgical Studies from Notre Dame and Sacred Scripture from St. Thomas Seminary.

New Testament A Journey through the Gospel of Matthew Presented by: Timothy Lowe

Matthew utilizes the Old Testament in his presentation of Christ more than any other Gospel. We will journey through the Gospel of Matthew with an intense focus on the first seven chapters as he develops his major themes and follow these through to the end of his book and then discover their timelessness for our own lives twenty centuries later, an incomprehensible but nonetheless true experience of sacred scripture.

Timothy Lowe – is a retired priest from the Orthodox Church in America.

He was previously rector at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem (University of Notre Dame); Adjunct Professor of Old Testament at Holy Apostles Seminary, Cromwell, CT; and is currently president of the Orthodox Center for the Advancement of Biblical Studies.

Register Online: www.rockhilloratory.org Go to “Center for Spirituality” and click on Events Register by Email: oratorycenter@gmail.com with SBI in the subject line

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Our world

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 16A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Search for Christian unity must start with love, pope says around the table, drinking a cappuccino, dining or eating a gelato, discover they are brothers and sisters, not on account of their color, nor their nationality, nor their place of origin, nor the different forms in which they live out their faith, but as children of the one same Father.”

And even when poverty means “there is no table” and not food to share, he said, people are still brothers and sisters and must acknowledge that they are children of the same God. The John 17 Movement focuses on building friendship and sharing prayer, but, unlike the Church’s formal ecumenical relationships, it does not involve theological dialogue and the examination of doctrinal similarities and differences.

“Love has no need for profound theological knowledge, which is however necessary,” the pope told the group. “Love is an encounter of life, first with the Lord Jesus, with the person of Jesus, and from there on, from that encounter of love, friendship, brotherhood and the certainty of being children of the same Father are born.”

“Love can change the world,” the pope said. “Love is concrete; love gives its life for others, as Jesus gave it for us.”

CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — While theological dialogue is important in the search for Christian unity, it cannot take the place of Christians simply sharing a meal, recognizing they are brothers and sisters and loving one another, Pope Francis said.

“Together in love, we Christians can change the world, we can change ourselves, because God is love,” the pope said in a video message to evangelical and Pentecostal pastors and Catholic Church leaders gathered at St. Joseph’s Seminary and College in Yonkers, N.Y., and online for a retreat June 9-10.

The retreat, which included Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, N.J., and Auxiliary Bishop James Massa of Brooklyn, was sponsored by the John 17 Movement, an Arizona-based initiative founded by a Pentecostal pastor to promote Christian unity.

The initiative is inspired by John 17:21: “That they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.”

In his message, Pope Francis said, “The John 17 Movement is about those who,

CNS | STEFANO SPAZIANI, POOL

Eucharist is bread of sinners, not reward of saints, pope says VATICAN CITY — People’s hearts and the entire Church must be wide open to wonder and devotion to Christ and ready to embrace everyone – sinner and saint alike, Pope Francis said. “The Church of the perfect and pure is a room where there isn’t a place for anyone; the Church with open doors that celebrates around Christ is, on the other hand, a large hall where everyone – the righteous and sinners – can enter,” the pope said in his homily during Mass June 6 to mark the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi. “The Eucharist is meant to nourish those who are tired and hungry along the journey, let’s not forget this!” he said during the early evening Mass, celebrated at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica with about 200 people, who wore masks and maintained social distance. It was the second year the Mass was held with a reduced congregation and without the traditional outdoor Corpus Christi procession afterward as part of the ongoing efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The ceremony instead concluded with a long moment of silent Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction.

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

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

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Unlock your potential to make a difference.

An IRA rollover gift to your parish, the diocese, Catholic school, agency, or the Foundation provides meaningful support without impacting your checkbook, and can maximize your giving potential.

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

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.

Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief Pandemic recovery requires conversion, pope says VATICAN CITY — Promoting the holistic development of everyone requires conversion, “and especially decisions that convert death into life and weapons into food,” Pope Francis said. As many nations begin returning to a semblance of normal, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, governments and economists and citizens must act now to look carefully at what that “normal” was, judge what was good or bad about it and act to make life better for everyone, the pope said in a message June 15 to the Bratislava Forum, sponsored by the European thinktank GLOBSEC. To work for a better future, the pope said, an honest assessment of the past, “including the acknowledgment of systemic failures, past errors and lack of responsibility with regard to the Creator, our neighbor and all creation, strikes me as essential for the development of a model of recovery aimed not only at rebuilding what was, but also correcting the things that were not working, even before the advent of the coronavirus, and that ended up making the crisis worse.” In looking around, he said, “what I see is a world that allowed itself to be duped by a false and arrogant sense of security based on a thirst for profit.”

Pope leads prayers for Indigenous children who died in Canadian schools VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis led hundreds of pilgrims and visitors in St. Peter’s Square in a moment of silent prayer for the Indigenous children who died in Canadian residential schools and for their grieving families. After praying the Angelus June 6, the pope told the crowd, “With sorrow I am following the news from Canada about the shocking discovery of the remains of 215 children, pupils at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in the Province of British Columbia. I join the Canadian bishops and the whole Catholic Church in Canada in expressing my closeness to the Canadian people who have been traumatized by this shocking news,” the

pope said. “This sad discovery further heightens awareness of the pain and sufferings of the past.”

The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation reported May 30 that using ground-penetrating radar an estimated 215 bodies had been found in unmarked graves at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. The school opened in 1890 and, on behalf of the Canadian federal government, was run by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate until 1969. After that, the federal government took over the facility. It was closed in 1978.

Vatican bank posts profit despite economic shock of pandemic VATICAN CITY — The Institute for the Works of Religion, commonly known as the Vatican bank, showed a net profit of 36.4 million euros ($44.1 million) in 2020, according to its annual report. Compared to a net profit of 38 million euros ($46 million) the previous year, “this is a very significant result” considering the low yields and high volatility of financial markets triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, wrote Cardinal Santos Abril Castelló, president of the Commission of Cardinals supervising the bank. It is also significant given that the Holy See “lost much of its income from its most substantial contributor, namely the Vatican Museums, which were closed for a large part of the year due to the pandemic,” he wrote.

According to the 136-page report published online June 11, the Commission of Cardinals decided to donate 75 percent of the net profits, 27.3 million euros ($33.1 million), to Pope Francis “or to specific entities” and allocated the remaining 25 percent, 9.1 million euros ($11 million), to its reserve and increase its equity.

Administrative expenses totaled 19.3 million euros ($23.5 million), it added.

Vatican orders term limits for leaders of lay movements VATICAN CITY — In an ongoing effort to promote Catholic lay movements and associations and protect their members from possible abuse by the groups’ leaders, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life has imposed term limits on leadership and ordered the groups to ensure all members have a voice in choosing their leaders. Under the new norms, which take effect in September, those who hold offices in the central leadership of international Catholic lay movements and associations may serve a maximum of two five-year terms.

— Catholic News Service

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ViewPoints

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 18A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Deacon Matthew Newsome

Father Peter Ascik

The sacramental vocation of marriage

W

hat does it mean to call marriage a vocation? A vocation is a calling from God, and before discussing any particular vocation, it’s good to keep in mind our universal vocation, which is the call to holiness (“Lumen Gentium,” 39-42). To be holy means to be like God. And God is love (1 Jn 4:8). Our universal vocation, therefore, is a call to love and be loved. Each of us must find a way to live out the vocation to love in our own lives if we are to be fulfilled.

Particular vocations, including matrimony, provide a particular context in which the universal vocation is lived out.

Marriage is a vocation, but it is also a sacrament. A sacrament is an efficacious sign of God’s grace. This means that through the shared life of husband and wife, God is made present in the world in a very real way.

St. Paul ends his reflection on married life in his letter to the Ephesians by saying, “This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church” (Eph 5:32).

It is worth noting that in the Eastern Churches, the sacraments are referred to as “mysteries.”

Eastern Christianity provides us with another term to help us understand marriage: icon. Icons have been described as windows into heaven.

Marriage is meant to be a living icon of the love God has for us in Christ.

God wedded Himself to us at the Incarnation because by taking human nature to Himself, the two of us became one flesh.

We call the Church both the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ because by making the Church His Bride, Christ also makes the Church His Body. When he describes marriage, St. Paul can’t help but describe Christ and the Church because the more we understand the meaning of marriage, the more we understand God’s love for us.

Likewise, the more faithfully we live out the vocation of marriage, the more fully we manifest God’s love in our lives and in the world.

Like all sacraments, God uses the physical elements of creation as channels for His grace: water for baptism, bread and wine for the Eucharist. In the sacrament of matrimony, the physical matter is the husband and the wife. The matter for the sacraments is treated with great care because it has been designated for a divine purpose. Before a baptism, the water is first blessed. Before he celebrates the Eucharist, the priest blesses the bread and offers thanks. So married couples ought to bless

and give thanks for one another.

Christian marriage should be Eucharistic.

We celebrate weddings in church so that the couple may stand before the altar of God and say to one another, “This is my body, given for you.” This is the key difference between love and lust. Lust seeks to take, but love can only be given. Tellingly, St. Paul begins his passage on marriage by instructing husband and wife to “be subordinate to one another” (Eph 5:21). This mutual giving of self in love is precisely how God loves us in Christ – He came not to be served, but to serve and give His life for us (Mk 10:45). If husband and wife love the image of Christ in each other, then as they grow in love for one another, they grow in the love of God. Consider how often God takes the ordinary and elevates it to the extraordinary. He transforms ordinary water into wine, and ordinary wine into His own Precious Blood. What could be more ordinary than a boy and girl falling in love? Marriage is the sacrament through which the natural vocation of family life is transformed into a supernatural sign of God’s love for us.

In the scriptures, God most often speaks of His relationship with Israel as a marriage covenant, so it should come as no surprise that the scriptures describe heaven as a wedding banquet.

At the heavenly banquet, the marriage between God and man is brought to consummation and Christ will be all in all.

Marriage is meant to be an image of that heavenly reality, a witness in the world of God’s love for us. This means Christian marriage must be faithful and fruitful, as God’s love is faithful and fruitful. And just as God’s love for us led Him to the cross, marriage likewise involves sacrifice and selfoffering, death and resurrection, the leaving behind of an old way of life and the start of something new.

When Christian couples live their vocations well, they make God’s love incarnate in a particular way only that couple can. Christian marriage is a blessing not only for the spouses and their children, but for their extended family, friends, for the Church and indeed for the entire world.

The world desperately needs holy marriages because the world needs to know God’s love.

‘The more faithfully we live out the vocation of marriage, the more fully we manifest God’s love in our lives and in the world.’

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

I

Pride Month: How should Catholics respond?

n our society the month of June is increasingly labeled “Pride Month.”

This observance originated to commemorate the June 1969 Stonewall riots that launched the modern gay rights political movement. In recent years Pride Month has achieved a wider cultural significance focused on celebrating gay, lesbian, transgender, and related lifestyles and identities under the banner of the LGBT movement.

Pride Month celebrations raise questions for Catholics. Can we take part in these observances and celebrations? The movement behind Pride Month often describes its goals with words like “equality” and “inclusion” – words which ostensibly appeal to the basic sense of justice and decency that Catholics share with all people of goodwill.

Yet while the content of Pride Month uses the language of justice, it celebrates specific sexual activities outside of marriage as Christians understand it. Pride Month also promotes an understanding of sexual identity that distorts or denies the truth and dignity of the human person.

In response, Catholics must remember that our obligation to bear witness to the truth means that we cannot take part in any event that celebrates sexual actions or identities that contradict God’s plan for sexuality.

Sexual identity refers to being male or female. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains: “Everyone, man and woman, should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity” (2333), meaning that every person should embrace the fact of being made male or female in body and soul. This is an integral part of being made in God’s image (Gen 1:27).

This proper understanding of sexual identity is necessary for a proper understanding of sexuality as the inclinations and attractions that lead to the personal union of man and woman in sexual intercourse.

We read in Genesis that God created man and woman “in His image,” and that a man becomes united to his wife and the two become “one flesh” in their sexual encounter (Gen 2:24).

Only the union of man and woman can fulfill God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28). When Jesus discusses marriage in the Gospels, it is these verses from “the beginning” which are His explicit frame of reference (see Mt 19:4-6).

Based on the Scriptures, the catechism therefore teaches that each person should accept his or her sexual identity (2333), and that “Sexuality is realized in a truly human way only if it is an

integral part of the love by which a man and woman commit themselves totally to one another until death” (2361). Any sexual act which fails to fully embody the nature of marriage falls outside God’s design for humanity.

Sexual actions between persons of the same sex are one example; sexual actions between persons of the opposite sex who have not made the lifelong commitment of marriage or who use artificial contraception to close the sexual act to life are other examples.

Speaking of such acts, the catechism is clear: “Under no circumstances can they be approved” (2357). It follows directly from this that under no circumstances should such actions be celebrated.

How should Catholics respond to those whose experience of sexuality includes homosexual or transgender inclinations? The Church speaks the truth in love – and invites us to do the same – when it calls every person to recognize the objective truth of his or her sexual identity and to live by that objective truth in the expression of his or her sexuality, regardless of what inclinations or attractions they may experience.

This means seeking to accept rather than reject the fact of being created male or female, even if embracing this identity is at times a struggle. It means practicing the virtue of chastity by refraining from any sexual act outside the lifelong marriage of a man and woman open to life.

In “Amoris Laetitia,” Pope Francis reminds us that our bodies are a gift from the Lord, and through marriage, a man and a woman share a complementary, life-giving relationship that brings them into union with God and through procreation makes them “a visible sign of His creative act” (“Amoris Laetitia,” 10). This is the “good news” about sexuality that we should celebrate and promote.

The Church does not by any means wish people who struggle with homosexual or transgender attractions to suffer alone or to be separated from the pastoral care of the Church. The catechism calls us to treat them with “respect, compassion, and sensitivity” and to avoid “every sign of unjust discrimination” (2358).

But it is not “unjust discrimination” to invite our neighbor to live according to the truth of God’s love and His will in their lives.

Love of neighbor and concern for his true good demands that we do no less.

FATHER PETER ASCIK is parochial vicar of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Christina L. Reitz

The uncelebrated ones

T

here has been little media coverage of the great compassion and humility among the majority of priests today. In my part of western North Carolina, we have had many, many clergy appointed to our parishes over the years, and the upside to all that change has been the opportunity to meet so many wonderful priests.

Each one has helped me and taught me different things.

In January 2017, I packed a bag before heading to the emergency room.

Although I did not know what was wrong at the time, I knew I would not be going home that day. I reached out to my home priest from the Diocese of Erie, Pa., the very wonderful Father Matthew J. Strickenberger, who throughout these years has remained an endless source of wisdom and compassion while displaying a most impressive collection of fun socks.

I also reached out to Father Joshua Voitus, who at the time was serving at the parish near my home, St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Sylva. Father Voitus regularly offered to come to the hospital and, later, my home to hear my confession and give me Holy Communion. We talked many times in his final year at the parish, and rarely about serious things. Once we discussed what we were reading. I, a professor of music history, was reading a book about exorcism, while he was reading a book about the history of music notation. His time and his contagious laughter were a great blessing to me when very little in my life was particularly amusing.

I also received emails assuring me of prayers from Father Peter Shaw at St. Joseph Church in Bryson City. When I attended Mass at his church, he always remembered to break the Host into a smaller piece so I could consume it during the months I struggled to take in solid food. He always responded immediately with willingness to help at a moment’s notice, and he introduced me to the Litany of Humility and the Memorare – important prayers that have benefited me greatly.

I was blessed to be in remission from my illness for 15 months, and during that time, many new parish assignments enabled me to get acquainted with more of the diocese’s wonderful priests. Among them was Father Richard Sutter, then the parochial administrator at St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville.

In the busyness of Holy Week, he gave me the Anointing of the Sick before I underwent a liver biopsy, and again a few months later when new troubles arose. For anyone who does not know Father Sutter, to call him a bundle of energy would be a big understatement, but he always stopped to help me every time it was needed. I learned from him the importance of fostering a personal relationship with our guardian angels, and his focus on the fruits of the Holy Spirit has had a lasting effect on my prayer life.

In 2019 Father Paul McNulty was appointed to succeed Father Sutter at St. John’s. I was starting a new treatment plan when he arrived and after his very first vigil Mass there, he gave me the Anointing of the Sick.

I was able to see immediately that he had such a kind heart. Last September, I had another procedure and Father McNulty went out of his way to provide confession and the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick in a way that was safe during the pandemic.

I would be remiss not to mention Father Christopher Bond, who I only knew for a few months while he was serving at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Maggie Valley. A friend recommended I contact Father Bond to inquire about social distancing and masks for confession to ensure that I could remain safe. He responded immediately, assuring me that I could sit as far away from him as I liked. That made me laugh! He was generous with his time and providing the sacraments upon my starting yet another treatment. Even though he has since been transferred to another parish, he has kindly let me bother him on occasion with questions I have had.

Because I am immunocompromised, during the pandemic I was unable to attend Mass with singing occurring and no mask mandate. I was fortunate that Father Tien Duong at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Franklin made confessions possible by hearing them in his office while observing social distancing guidelines and wearing masks. Their deacon, Rev. Dr. David Ramsey, has also been helpful in advising me on obtaining the sacraments during these strange times.

Lastly, I have also benefited from the appointment of Father Paul Asoh at St. Mary’s. One can scarcely miss the kindness in his gentle manner and words. He accommodated me numerous times for me to receive the sacrament of reconciliation in a safe and reassuring way. I had not been able to go to Mass in the diocese for over a year, but he required masks and altered his Wednesday Masses to omit singing – providing me and others the opportunity to receive the Eucharist. His accommodation of the vulnerable like me in this way has been an answer to my prayers.

It is so important to give thanks to God and to recognize the outstanding ministries of our priests, whose commitment to the people they shepherd is unwavering. Their names are unlikely to be found in the headlines, yet we are truly blessed by their quiet, seemingly unnoticed actions. As St. John Chrysostom said, “Do you wish to know if the people of any place are righteous? Look what sort of a pastor they have. If you find him pious, just, sound, believe the people will be the same, for they are seasoned with the salt of his wisdom.”

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

(Photo courtesy of Western Carolina University.)

Letters to the Editor

Embrace the Holy Spirit Sometimes we need reminders that God is great – especially when, because of earthly circumstances, we have forgotten it.

After one year of the pandemic “canceling” so many things, including in-person Mass, it is easy to forget: the spirit God gives us to live with grace and faith each day is within us.

We just need to acknowledge and use it.

On Pentecost Sunday 2021, I happened to attend St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte and was inspired by the instructions of the passionate, energized Father Richard Sutter to say aloud, “Holy Spirit, you are welcome here.”

During a time when many feel alone and might be physically isolated, this reminder to embrace the Holy Spirit and remember that we are never spiritually alone could not have been more timely.

The Holy Spirit was truly in Charlotte on Pentecost Sunday, as it is everywhere. We just have to remember to say the words: “Holy Spirit, you are welcome here.”

AARON KOHRS lives in Hickory.

Praise the Lord for our Catholic schools Praise the Lord for our Catholic schools, and thank you to the Catholic News Herald for coverage of our Catholic high school graduations.

It’s heart-breaking to hear what our sister public school students have endured during the pandemic. Our Catholic school leaders – with courage and clarity of thought – opened at the beginning of the school year for faceto-face instruction with measured safety

protocols. The overall welfare of students and other stakeholders was obviously paramount in their decisions and actions.

The same cannot be said for our publicschool brethren. Imagine the disruption parents encountered. They were often unable to balance the conflicting demands of working outside the home in order to financially support their children while simultaneously having to supervise their children’s learning via computers. This predicament was dropped into their lap.

Some students thrive in a self-learning environment, but many need the personal attention of a teacher.

While Catholic school students enjoyed social interactions with fellow classmates, the public schools prevented this contact, lashing children to inferior digital mediums of communication that resulted in loneliness.

We are social beings, and isolation drains the will, intellect and memory.

The latest encroachment on our public school children (under the guise of social justice) focuses on sexual orientation. Again, praise the Lord that Catholic school students are taught the truth that God made us male and female, and that feelings are forever fickle. In fact, the Church recently celebrated the martyrdom of St. Charles Lwanga and his 22 male companions, recognizing their purity against homosexual acts.

Our Catholic schools are islands in a sea of culture turmoil. We are being assaulted on all sides, creating the chaos which is the necessary element to build a tyrannical world. By maintaining our allegiance to God, our schools can continue to be as a city set upon a hill (Mt 5:14).

BILL FOUNTAIN is a member of St. Mark Parish in Huntersville.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 20A CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

BORDER FROM PAGE 3A

and fellow women religious, Sisters Peggy and Carmelita worked tirelessly to welcome the arriving buses and distribute water, clean clothes, towels and hygiene products for a shower.

On a typical day, they cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner for the men, women and children, often having to shop for food to serve them. Between meals they did laundry, prepared travel packages with diapers, wipes, baby formula, water, juice and food for those riding the bus or traveling by car, and spent hours organizing the clothing room and fitting people with clean clothes.

Because Sister Joan speaks Spanish, she was assigned to the pharmacy area, where she measured and distributed baby formula, diapers, baby wipes, extra toothbrushes, combs, and over-thecounter medications.

“Almost everyone came in with colds, coughs, runny noses or fever. Each time I portioned out a cough syrup or Tylenol or whatever, I asked about allergies (and) complications, and explained about the dosage size and frequency. And they were so patient, waiting their turn and so grateful.”

But something else caught Sister Joan’s attention. “The first thing that struck me was the lack of luggage or bags or backpacks with them. They were desperately clinging to their children.

They had nothing else. I discovered why....Throughout their very dangerous journey to the United States, they had lost everything. Some had been robbed.

Others were forced to sell or trade their clothes, (religious) medals and jewelry of any kind to get to the next stop on the journey.”

In both Texas centers, many of the incoming asylees were able to sleep in a bed, but many more had to sleep on cots in the hallways. Due to lack of space, cots sometimes had to be placed outside under tents. Everyone was given the opportunity to take a shower and get refreshed.

Sister Carmelita said the entire experience reminded her of when Joseph was forced to take Mary and the baby Jesus and flee to Egypt to escape the tyrant Herod.

“They had to be confused and afraid of what was before them. Today the asylum seekers from Central America are doing the same thing to escape the tyrants from their countries. They come full of fear, with mixed emotions and a great deal of trust and hope for a better life. They leave their homeland because they seek peace and a life free of fear.”

Serving the asylum seekers wasn’t about solving the immigration problem, it was simply “an opportunity to act on behalf of the community and in the name of Mercy,” she noted.

For Sister Joan, the trip to McAllen was a profound experience, “and I am not sure I have fully integrated all the graces and challenges God presented to me at the border, with my ministry here in our Diocese of Charlotte.”

“For me, serving in the shelter opened more than my eyes. This time in McAllen opened my heart! One of my frequent prayers has become: ‘Oh dear God, thank you for all the blessings You (and others) have given me. And forgive me if I am ever ungrateful.’”

PASTOR VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 8A

of Mary y Ursuline High School. Desde una edad temprana se sintió atraído por la vocación sacerdotal como monaguillo, y después de la escuela secundaria continuó sus estudios en la Pontificia Universidad Josephinum en Columbus, Ohio. Obtuvo una licenciatura en Filosofía del Seminario Redentorista St. Alphonsus en Suffield, Connecticut, y en 1994 obtuvo una Maestría en Divinidad del Seminario Mount St. Mary en Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Fue ordenado sacerdote el 28 de mayo de 1994 por el Obispo Edward T. Hughes para la Diócesis de Metuchen, Nueva Jersey, donde sirvió durante cinco años, mudándose en 1999 a la diócesis de Charlotte. Primero sirvió en la Iglesia St. Matthew en Charlotte, considerada una de las parroquias católicas más grandes de los Estados Unidos. Luego se desempeñó como administrador en la Iglesia St. John Baptist de la Salle en North Wilkesboro, antes de mudarse en 2002 a la parroquia más pequeña de la diócesis, Holy Redeemer en Andrews, donde se desempeñó primero como administrador y luego como pastor.

En 2007, fue nombrado pastor de la Iglesia Santa María Auxiliadora en Shelby y de la Misión Cristo Rey en Kings Mountain. Le encantaba la mezcla de personas y culturas allí. También tenía pasión por los paseos al aire libre, el senderismo, los cruceros por el Caribe y las lecturas históricas.

A lo largo de su ministerio sacerdotal fue conocido como un defensor de la vida, un luchador por los pobres y un maestro al que le encantaba liderar estudios de las

Escrituras y peregrinaciones a santuarios sagrados. Fue un escritor talentoso y orador elocuente, lo que se demostró en las inspiradoras homilías que pronunció.

Frecuentemente predicaba que nuestro propósito en esta vida es dar gloria a Dios. Aunque su vida fue breve, la vivió plenamente amando y sirviendo a Dios y, en sus palabras, “conociendo mucha gente buena en el camino”. Dedicó su vida a la Iglesia y una vez fue citado al decir que la gente amaba a los sacerdotes porque los acercaban a Cristo. Tenía un profundo amor por Cristo en la Eucaristía y animaba a las personas, especialmente a los jóvenes que disciernen una vocación al sacerdocio, a rezar el rosario y desarrollar una relación con la Santísima Madre.

Además de su parroquia de 300 familias en Santa María Auxiliadora y Cristo Rey, le sobreviven su padre Michael H. Kottar de Pickerington, Ohio; las hermanas gemelas Amy (Michael) Akers, también de Pickerington, y Renee (Gregory) Selby de Nazareth, Pensilvania; y cuatro sobrinas y sobrinos: Paige, Benjamin, Kyra y Vincent.

Su madre le precedió en la muerte.

En lugar de flores, el Padre Kottar solicitó que se hicieran contribuciones conmemorativas al Fondo de Educación para Seminaristas de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Done por correo a 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, o de forma segura en línea en www.charlottediocese.org/ development/donate_semed.

La Casa Funeraria Cecil M. Burton de Shelby estuvo a cargo de los arreglos.

Más online En www.catholicnewsherald.com: Lea más sobre el Padre Kottar y vea el video de su Misa fúnebre.

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catholicnewsherald.com charlottediocese.org

“As I have loved you.” —(John 13:34)

“Como yo los he amado.” —(Juan 13:34)

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Deacon Joseph Wasswa receives the Book of the Gospels from Bishop Peter Jugis during the transitional diaconate Mass July 24, 2020. He will be ordained to the priesthood Saturday, June 19, at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

Wasswa, who is from Uganda, reflects the growing diversity in the diocese, which now numbers more than 515,000 people.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘Here to serve God’

Thriving vocations are ‘powerful testimony’ to our diverse diocesan family SUEANN HOWELL AND PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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About the cover This year’s Vocations cover features a depiction of the Last Supper by Renaissance-era painter Benedetto Caliari. The image is actually half of Caliari’s painting, which depicts two moments from when Jesus gathered the apostles for the Passover meal: instituting the Eucharist, and washing the feet of His disciples. The full image illustrates the theme for this year’s Eucharistic Congress, chosen by Bishop Peter Jugis: “As I Have Loved You,” taken from the Gospel of John 13:34. In St. John’s Gospel, what’s known as the “Book of Glory” begins with Chapter 13. In this chapter we are invited to understand the “Washing of the Feet,” the Last Supper/Holy Mass and the “New” Commandment to love with divine love.

After having washed their feet, Jesus tells His disciples: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

— Catholic News Herald

he Diocese of Charlotte now counts a Catholic population surpassing 515,000, served by an increasing number of priests and deacons – both natives of North Carolina and clergy who have come here from all over the world. They minister in the model of St. Joseph, quietly going about the work of serving God and His Church.

The diocese ordained its first priest in 1974, only two years after it was established, and since then the number of clergy has continued to grow as the diocese has grown.

Prayers and unwavering support from the faithful – seeds planted in fertile ground – have brought the Presence of Christ to every corner of western North Carolina.

Today, that ground is more diverse than ever – with diocesan and other priests offering Masses in the Roman rite (both Ordinary and Extraordinary forms), Maronite rite, PRIESTLY FORMATION In addition to the growing diversity from incoming clergy, the diocese is also fostering local vocations with much success.

This fall, the diocese expects to have at least 43 men studying for the

Ukrainian Greek rite, Syro-Malabar rite and Ge’ez rite. Ordinary Form Masses are said routinely in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean and Hmong; additional Masses are also offered periodically in Igbo and Polish.

In 92 parishes and missions across western North Carolina, 124 priests and 133 deacons are at work serving the people of God, with dozens more in formation for future ordination. In this guide, you’ll read stories about some of them – priest candidates from Uganda and Mexico, and jubilarians from seven U.S. states as well as Colombia, India and Vietnam.

The diocese embraces this diversity of cultures, languages and people. Bishop Peter Jugis has cited it as a sign of the Holy Spirit at work, noting in a 2017 Mass for priest jubilarians: “This is Catholicism … It is the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, and it’s all happening right here.” priesthood, including 20 seminarians at two major seminaries in the U.S. and in Rome. Nearly two dozen students have been accepted at the diocese’s St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly, and more applications are pending.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

(At right) Priests of the Diocese of Charlotte gathered for the Chrism Mass March 30 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

(Below) Father Adrian Porras distributes Holy Communion Sept. 7 at the 2019 Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘God looks on the heart, and in St. Joseph He recognized the heart of a father, able to give and generate life in the midst of daily routines.

Vocations have this same goal: to beget and renew lives every day.’

Pope Francis

2021 World Day of Prayer for Vocations

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Vocation resources If you or someone you know is contemplating a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or religious life, check out the following general resources online.

Talk with your pastor, reach out to the diocese’s vocations promoter, read up on consecrated life and the various religious communities that exist, and contact communities that interest you. Many offer “come and see” days or retreats that are good opportunities to learn more and meet others who have already accepted God’s call to religious life.

For young men and women, there are also summer discernment retreats offered by the Diocese of Charlotte and hosted at Belmont Abbey College: Quo Vadis Days for young men, and Duc in Altum for young women. This year’s retreats are already fully booked, but information about the 2022 retreats will be posted next spring online at www. charlottediocese.org/vocations.

Overall, remember: Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions!

Diocesan Vocations Office Father Christopher Gober, Vocations Director: vocationsmail@charlottediocese.org Father Brian Becker, Vocations Promoter: bjbecker@charlottediocese.org

General information

Since it opened in 2016, St. Joseph College Seminary has been a magnet for young men wanting to study and discern a priestly vocation close to their homes and parishes. It is the only program of its kind located between northern Virginia and southern Florida.

The college seminary has attracted men from across the diocese, with nine of the diocese’s 10 vicariates represented.

Enrollment growth has been faster than the diocese anticipated, from eight students in its first year to 27 during the 2020-’21 academic year.

Last September, the diocese made history with the opening of a permanent home for the college seminary, on land situated between Belmont and Mount Holly. With Gothic architecture and brickwork inspired by nearby Belmont Abbey, where in 1876 Benedictine monks planted the roots of Catholicism in western North Carolina, the two-story, 30,000-square-foot building includes 40 dorm rooms, a chapel, classroom and library, faculty offices, a refectory and kitchen, and a picturesque cloister walk.

Another milestone for St. Joseph College Seminary has been graduating its largest class to date. Nine men finished their studies last month and now move on to major seminaries in Ohio and Rome this fall to continue their formation as future priests for the diocese.

The increasing interest in priestly vocations is welcomed by Bishop Jugis.

“The need for well-formed, faithful priests to serve our growing Catholic population is great,” he has commented, noting that the number of priests serving the diocese has grown 76 percent since 1972 while the Catholic population has grown a staggering 900 percent.

The diocese is “a family of faith,” he has said, and “the preparation of priests is our collective responsibility and one that benefits each and every soul in our diocesan family.”

On June 19, Bishop Jugis will ordain two more men as priests to serve the People of God in western North Carolina.

Reflecting the diocese’s growing diversity, neither priest candidate was born in the United States – one hails from Uganda, the other from Mexico – but both have found a spiritual home here among our diocesan family.

ST. JOSEPH’S EXAMPLE This past year has been very difficult, but the work of fostering vocations within the diocesan family has continued steadily and quietly.

And that may be fitting given that 2020 was the diocesan Year of St. Joseph, and in 2021 the Church worldwide is celebrating a similar year to encourage a greater love for and inspiration from Jesus’ guardian and patron of the universal Church.

During a May 1, 2020, Mass for the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, on the construction site of St. Joseph College Seminary, Bishop Jugis noted that St. Joseph is an ideal example of how to serve the Church family.

“We don’t hear about St. Joseph seeking praises or glory from others, even though he was in a very exalted position as

head of the Holy Family. He was here to serve God and to do the work that God asked of him,” he said.

The necessarily humble and subdued celebrations for the diocesan Year of St. Joseph in 2020 and the universal year of celebration this year, he said, “teach us about the humility of the great saint we honor.”

Pope Francis also noted in his message for the 2021 World Day of Prayer for Vocations that religious and priestly life must imitate St. Joseph, with the simple joy of caring every day for what really matters.

His message – released on March 19, 2021, the feast of St. Joseph – was dedicated to the saint and “the dream of vocation.”

“St. Joseph is an extraordinary figure, yet at the same time one ‘so close to our own human experience,’” the pope wrote.

“He did not do astonishing things, he had no unique charisms, nor did he appear special in the eyes of those who met him. He was not famous or even noteworthy: the Gospels do not report even a single word of his. Still, through his ordinary life, he accomplished something extraordinary in the eyes of God. “God looks on the heart (cf. 1 Sam 16:7), and in St. Joseph He recognized the heart of a father, able to give and generate life in the midst of daily routines. Vocations have this same goal: to beget and renew lives every day.”

The saint’s heart was always listening to God, who spoke to him in his dreams, the pope wrote.

“This applies also to our calling: God does not like to reveal Himself in a spectacular way, pressuring our freedom. He conveys His plans to us with gentleness. He does not overwhelm us with dazzling visions but quietly speaks in the depths of our heart, drawing near to us and speaking to us through our thoughts and feelings. In this way, as He did with St. Joseph, He sets before us profound and unexpected horizons.”

The saint faced numerous upheavals, but he always found the courage to follow God’s will, the pope said. The same must happen with a vocation, he said, because “God’s call always urges us to take a first step, to give ourselves, to press forward.

There can be no faith without risk.”

St. Joseph is a model of service “as a concrete expression of the gift of self,” the pope wrote. He adapted to different and unexpected circumstances with “a quiet perseverance,” always “ready to give a hand to help resolve situations.”

“The priesthood and the consecrated life greatly need these qualities nowadays, in times marked by fragility but also by the sufferings due to the pandemic, which has spawned uncertainties and fears about the future and the very meaning of life.”

“This fidelity is the secret of joy,” he noted. “It is the joy of simplicity, the joy experienced daily by those who care for what truly matters: faithful closeness to God and to our neighbor.”

“I pray that you will experience this same joy, dear brothers and sisters who have generously made God the dream of your lives, serving Him in your brothers and sisters through a fidelity that is a powerful testimony in an age of ephemeral choices and emotions that bring no lasting joy.”

— Catholic News Service contributed.

n www.foryourvocation.org: Set up by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, dedicated to the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life for both men and women. They are also on Facebook and YouTube. There are resources for parents and teachers, questions to ask yourself if you feel God is calling you, videos of vocation stories from priests and religious all over the U.S., and more. n www.religiouslife.com: The Institute for Religious Life’s website, with plenty of resources for both men and women interested in a vocation or those who wish to support religious life. n Not sure what religious communities are out there that might be a good fit for you? Check out: www.religiousministries.com. Search this database to find a men’s or women’s religious community, whether you wish to become a priest, nun, brother or lay missioner, or just want to find out more about living a religious life. n www.cloisteredlife.com: Aims to bring to attention the gift of cloistered and monastic life in the Church, sponsored by the Institute for Religious Life.

Religious communities for men n www.cmsm.org: The Conference of Major Superiors of Men serves the leadership of the Catholic orders and congregations of the more than 17,000 vowed religious priests and brothers in the U.S. n www.religiousbrotherhood.com: Sponsored by the Institute for Religious Life specifically to increase awareness of the specific charism of religious brotherhood in the U.S.

Religious communities for women n www.cmswr.org: The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) is a canonically approved organization, founded in 1992, to promote religious life in the U.S. n www.lcwr.org: The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) is an association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the U.S.

Interested in becoming a permanent deacon?

If you are interested in serving as a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Charlotte, contact Deacon Ed Konarski at edward.konarski@charlottediocese. org by July 15. Only those men who appear to have a genuine call to formation as a deacon will be invited by the formation team to complete an application for admission to the next formation class. Details are online at www.charlottediocese.org/permanentdiaconate/permanent-diaconate.

— Catholic News Herald

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Two men to be ordained priests June 19 CHARLOTTE — On Saturday, June 19, Bishop Peter Jugis will ordain Deacon Juan Miguel Sanchez and Deacon Joseph Wasswa to the holy priesthood.

All are welcome to attend the 10 a.m. ordination Mass, which will take place at St. Mark Church, located at 14740 Stumptown Road in More ordination Huntersville. coverage online Originally from Mexico, Deacon Juan Miguel At www.

Sanchez is a parishioner of catholicnewsherald.

St. Francis of Assisi Church com: Watch videos and in Lenoir. He completed see photos from the ordination Masses, Rite of his college studies at the Pontifical College Admission to Candidacy Josephinum in Columbus, for Holy Orders and Ohio. He recently completed Bishop Peter J. Jugis’ his theological studies at the homilies, and learn more about the new priests and Pontifical North American College in Rome. transitional deacons Deacon Joseph Wasswa, originally from Uganda, is a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury. He completed his college studies at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Katigondo-Masaka, Uganda. He recently completed his theological studies at the Pontifical College Josephinum.

The evening before their ordination, St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte will host a Holy Hour for the priest candidates and their families and friends. Bishop Jugis and priests and seminarians of the Diocese of Charlotte will pray vespers during the Holy Hour.

Bishop Jugis will also bless their vestments and chalices.

All are welcome to attend the prayer service, which will start at 5 p.m. St. Patrick Cathedral is located at 1621 Dilworth Road East in Charlotte.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Joseph Wasswa

Juan Miguel Sanchez

Home parish: Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury Birthplace: Kalisizo, Uganda Birthday: Nov. 22, 1988 Raised in: Kalisizo, Uganda Family: Parents Henry Gideon Kisekulo and Antonietta Namaganda; siblings Florence, John Vinay, Robert, Olivia, Salome, Josephine and Julian College: St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Katigondo-Masaka, Uganda Degree: Bachelor of Philosophy Pre-Theology/Theology: Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio Summer assignments in the diocese: Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury; Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Monroe; St. Ann Church, Charlotte; Wasswa St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Sylva; and St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte CNH: What are some of your interests/hobbies?

Wasswa: Soccer, movies, spiritual reading, gardening and board games.

CNH: When did you first realize you had a vocation to the priesthood?

Wasswa: In fourth grade, I was very close to my parish and extremely loved being at church with priests and seminarians. While in sixth grade, during my confirmation Mass, it was very clear to me that the Lord wanted me to discern the priesthood.

CNH: Who has helped you (mentored you) or given you a good example to follow during these years of discernment and seminary?

Wasswa: My parents, my siblings, my priest friends and in the formation houses I have been to.

CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about becoming a priest of the Diocese of Charlotte?

Wasswa: It is indeed an honor and a blessing to be part of this vibrant and fast-growing Diocese of Charlotte. Thank you to the many holy men and holy women who have dedicated themselves to the service of this great diocese. I have been greatly encouraged by the increasing thirst for the sacred and the pursuit of holiness among the people of the Diocese of Charlotte. I am very grateful for the wonderful support and prayers I have received from the people of this diocese throughout my seminary formation. I look forward to serving the people of this diocese faithfully and to help them on our way to heaven.

Home parish: St. Francis of Assisi Church, Lenoir Birthplace: Ixtlahuacán del Río, Mexico Birthday: Dec. 1, 1984 Raised in: Ixtlahuacán del Río and Guadalajara city until age 20, then moved to Charleston, S.C. Family: Parents Ignacio Sanchez Yañez and Maria Garcia Perez; siblings Rosario, Dolores, Teresa, Pedro, Jesús, Luis, Aurora, Guadalupe, Martin, Ignacio, Leonardo, Andrés, Edith and Lizbeth College: Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Philosophy Theology: Pontifical North American Sanchez College, Rome Summer assignments in the diocese: St. Eugene Church, Asheville; St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte; Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Monroe; St. John the Baptist Church, Tryon; and St. Therese Church, Mooresville CNH: What are some of your interests/hobbies?

Sanchez: I like to hike, to do some crafts and art, to draw and to do calligraphy. I also like to cook and do some gardening.

CNH: When did you first realize you had a vocation to the priesthood?

Sanchez: When I was around 8 years old and I was serving as an altar boy.

CNH: Who has helped you (mentored you) or given you a good example to follow during these years of discernment and seminary?

Sanchez: Father Julio Dominguez (Vicar of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Charlotte).

CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about becoming a priest of the Diocese of Charlotte?

Sanchez: I will always be grateful to all the people who made my priesthood possible. Thank you for being there for me through your spiritual, moral and material support. I am looking forward to serving in the Diocese of Charlotte and to grow together in the love of God and neighbor. I humbly request that all of you keep in your prayers all priests, in particular those who may be struggling now.

Very Reverend Steven P. Beseau, Rector/President, and the seminarians, faculty and staff of the Pontifical College Josephinum send congratulations and prayerful best wishes to

Alumni

FAther JuAn miguel SAnchez FAther JoSeph WASSWA Ordained to the Holy Priesthood June 19, 2021 Ad Multos Annos!

7625 North High Street Columbus, Ohio www.pcj.edu | Email: info@pcj.edu Facebook Instagram

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Rejoicing with you on this special occasion.

Congratulations to all of our Priests, Deacons and Religious celebrating their Jubilee Anniversaries.

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ccdoc.org

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Dos hombres serán ordenados sacerdotes el 19 de junio CHARLOTTE — El sábado 19 de junio, el Obispo Peter Jugis ordenará a los Diáconos Juan Miguel Sánchez y Joseph Wasswa al santo sacerdocio. Todos están invitados a asistir a la Misa de ordenación de las 10 de la mañana, que se Cobertura online de llevará a cabo las ordenaciones en la Iglesia San Marcos, En www. ubicada catholicnewsherald.com: en 14740 Vea videos y más fotos de Stumptown las Misas de Ordenación, Road en Rito de Admisión a la Huntersville.

Candidatura a las Órdenes Originario Sagradas, las homilías de México, el del Obispo Peter J. Jugis, Diácono Juan y conozca más sobre Miguel Sánchez los nuevos sacerdotes y es feligrés de diáconos transicionales. la Iglesia San Francisco de Asís en Lenoir. Completó sus estudios universitarios en la Pontificia Universidad Josephinum en Columbus,

Ohio. Recientemente concluyó sus estudios teológicos en la Pontificia Universidad Norteamericana en Roma.

El Diácono Joseph Wasswa, originario de Uganda, es feligrés de la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón en Salisbury. Completó sus estudios universitarios en el Seminario Mayor Santo Tomás de Aquino en Katigondo-Masaka, Uganda. Recientemente finalizó sus estudios teológicos en la Pontificia Universidad Josephinum.

La noche antes de la ordenación, la Catedral San Patricio en Charlotte ofrecerá una Hora Santa para los candidatos a sacerdotes y sus familias y amigos. El Obispo Jugis, sacerdotes y seminaristas de la Diócesis de Charlotte rezarán vísperas durante la Hora Santa. El Obispo Jugis también bendecirá sus vestiduras y cálices.

Todos son bienvenidos a asistir al servicio de oración que comenzará a las cinco de la tarde en la Catedral San Patricio.

— SueAnn Howell, reportera senior

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Prayerful best wishes on the occasion of your ordination to the Holy Priesthood.

Joseph Wasswa Parroquia de origen: Iglesia Sagrado Corazón, Salisbury.

Lugar de nacimiento: Kalisizo, Uganda.

Fecha de nacimiento: 22 de noviembre de 1988.

Criado en: Kalisizo, Uganda.

Familiares: Padres: Henry Gideon Kisekulo y Antonietta Namaganda; hermanos: Florence, John Vinay, Robert, Olivia, Salome, Josephine y Julian.

College: Seminario Mayor Santo Tomás de Aquino, Katigondo-Masaka, Uganda.

Grado: Bachiller en Filosofía.

Wasswa Pre-Teología/Teología: Pontificia Universidad Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio.

Asignaciones de verano en la diócesis: Iglesia Sagrado Corazón, Salisbury; Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Monroe; Iglesia Santa Ana, Charlotte; Iglesia Santa María, Madre de Dios, Sylva; y Santo Tomás de Aquino, Charlotte.

CNH: Cuáles son algunos de tus intereses o aficiones?

Wasswa: Fútbol soccer, las películas, lecturas espirituales, jardinería y juegos de mesa.

CNH: ¿Cuándo te diste cuenta que tenías vocación sacerdotal?

Wasswa: En cuarto grado estaba muy cerca de mi parroquia y me encantaba estar en la iglesia con los sacerdotes y seminaristas. Mientras estaba en sexto grado, durante mi Misa de confirmación, tuve muy claro que el Señor quería que yo discerniera el sacerdocio.

CNH: ¿Quién te ha ayudado (guiado) o te ha dado un buen ejemplo a seguir durante estos años de discernimiento y seminario?

Wasswa: Mis padres, mis hermanos, mis amigos sacerdotes y las casas de formación por la que he pasado.

CNH: ¿Tienes algún comentario que te gustaría compartir con nuestros lectores sobre tu ordenamiento como diácono transicional en la Diócesis de Charlotte?

Wasswa: Es realmente un honor y una bendición ser parte de esta Diócesis de Charlotte vibrante y de rápido crecimiento. Gracias a los muchos santos y santas que se han dedicado al servicio de esta gran diócesis. Me ha animado enormemente la creciente sed de lo sagrado y la búsqueda de la santidad entre la gente de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Estoy muy agradecido por el maravilloso apoyo y las oraciones que he recibido de la gente de esta diócesis durante mi formación en el seminario. Espero poder servir fielmente a la gente de esta diócesis y ayudarlos en su camino al cielo.

Father Juan Miguel Sanchez

“If some of you hear the call to follow Christ more closely, to dedicate your entire heart to Him, like the Apostles John and Paul...

be generous, do not be afraid, ...because you have nothing to fear when the prize that

Juan Miguel Sánchez Parroquia de origen: Iglesia San Francisco de Asís, Lenoir.

Lugar de nacimiento: Ixtlahuacán del Río, México.

Fecha de nacimiento: 1 de diciembre de 1984.

Criado en: Ixtlahuacán del Río y la ciudad de Guadalajara hasta los 20 años, luego se mudó a Charleston, S.C. Familiares: Padres: Ignacio Sánchez Yáñez y María García Pérez; hermanos: Rosario, Dolores, Teresa, Pedro, Jesús, Luis, Aurora, Guadalupe, Sanchez Martin, Ignacio, Leonardo, Andrés, Edith y Lizbeth.

College: Pontificia Universidad Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio.

Grado: Bachiller en Humanidades y Filosofía.

Teología: Pontificia Universidad Norteamericana, Roma.

Asignaciones de verano en la diócesis: Iglesia San Eugenio, Asheville; Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino, Charlotte; Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Monroe; Iglesia San Juan Bautista, Tryon; e Iglesia Santa Teresa, Mooresville

Father Joseph Wasswa

CNH: Cuáles son algunos de tus intereses o aficiones?

Sánchez: Me gusta el montañismo, hacer trabajos manuales, dibujar y hacer caligrafía.

También me gusta un poco de cocina y jardinería.

CNH: ¿Cuándo te diste cuenta que tenías vocación sacerdotal?

Sánchez: Cuando tenía como ocho años y servía como monaguillo.

CNH: ¿Quién te ha ayudado (guiado) o te ha dado un buen ejemplo a seguir durante estos años de discernimiento y seminario?

Sánchez: El Padre Julio Domínguez.

CNH: ¿Tienes algún comentario que te gustaría compartir con nuestros lectores sobre tu ordenamiento como diácono transicional en la Diócesis de Charlotte?

Sánchez: Siempre estaré agradecido con todas las personas que hicieron posible mi sacerdocio. Gracias por estar ahí a través de su apoyo espiritual, moral y material. Espero poder servir en la Diócesis de Charlotte y crecer juntos en el amor a Dios y al prójimo. Les pido humildemente que mantengan en sus oraciones a todos los sacerdotes, en particular a aquellos que puedan estar hoy en dificultades.

you await is God Himself, for Whom, sometimes without ever knowing it, all young people are searching.”

- Saint John Paul II

Office of Vocations Diocese of Charlotte Father Christopher Gober Director of Vocations

(704) 370-3353 1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203-4003 vocationsmail@charlottediocese.org

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Joyfully coming before the Lord Bishop Jugis ordains two men to transitional diaconate June 5 SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Deacon Darren Balkey and Deacon Aaron Huber became the Diocese of Charlotte’s newest transitional deacons and took the next step on their journey to the priesthood June 5 during a two-hour diaconate ordination Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

Father Christopher Gober, diocesan vocations director, attested to the preparedness of the two men, who were called to stand before Bishop Jugis at the steps of the altar during the start of the ordination rite.

“Joyfully we come before the Lord today to receive the gift of two new deacons for the Church,” Bishop Jugis said during his homily. “The Lord never tires of blessing the Church of Charlotte with great candidates for holy orders. That blessing from the Lord continues today in the two men who have been chosen for ordination to the diaconate.”

Bishop Jugis pointed out that the scripture readings chosen remind them of the three-fold ministry of deacons, which is a ministry of service: the ministry of the altar, the ministry of charity, and the ministry of the Word. He described the functions and responsibilities to which the men are called.

“Our Gospel reading of St. Matthew (9:35-38) presents the compassion of Jesus – visiting all of the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom. And so our new deacons, in their ministry of the Word, will continue the Church’s teaching mandate by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ at Mass and teaching the doctrine of Christ,” Bishop Jugis said.

“Diaconal ministry is a ministry of service… And you, Aaron and Darren, will have an official role in that ministry as

deacons of the Church,” he added.

Bishop Jugis also enjoined them to “give your heart to Jesus. Remain united to Jesus through your prayer every day.

And today, being the first Saturday of the month, a day on which we customarily honor the Blessed Mother, ask the Immaculate Heart to bring you close to Jesus and keep Him close to you.”

He explained that in going through the rite, they will now be changed by the action of the Holy Spirit. “The indelible spiritual character imprinted upon your soul will configure you to Jesus Christ, the Servant. He made Himself the Servant of all. He came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

After the homily, Balkey and Huber stood before the bishop and publicly affirmed their intentions to serve him and the Church. Then they prostrated themselves before the altar, as Bishop Jugis knelt in prayer with them and the faithful while the Litany of Supplication (also known as the Litany of the Saints) was chanted.

Balkey and Huber then arose and, one by one, approached the bishop. He laid hands on each man’s head and prayed the prayer of ordination over them, thus consecrating them as deacons.

The newly-ordained deacons were then vested with a stole, a sign of the deacon’s office of service, and the dalmatic, the outer garment used in the liturgy. Deacon Darren Balkey was vested by transitional Deacon Joseph Wasswa of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury and Deacon Aaron Huber was vested by Deacon Timothy Mueller of St. Michael Church in Gastonia.

The newly-vested deacons then again approached the sanctuary one by one, receiving the Book of the Gospels from Bishop Jugis and an acknowledgment from Bishop Jugis, who welcomed them to their new role in the Church.

The two deacons will now be able to

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Above, from left) Deacon Darren Balkey, visiting Bishop Joseph Coffey, Bishop Peter Jugis and Deacon Aaron Huber are all smiles after the transitional diaconate Mass June 5 at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. Auxiliary Bishop Coffey, of the Archdiocese of Military Services USA, concelebrated Mass as Deacon Balkey received his commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy last December. proclaim the Gospel at Mass, preach at the invitation of the priest, prepare the altar for the sacrifice of the Eucharist, distribute the Lord’s Body and Blood to the faithful, administer baptisms, officiate at marriages, bring Viaticum to the dying, conduct funeral rites, instruct believers and nonbelievers in Church doctrine, preside over public prayer and perform works of charity.

Bishop Jugis told Deacons Balkey and Huber, “By your faithful service, the imitation of Christ, may you be blessed by that same Jesus saying to you on the last

Deacon Aaron Huber Home parish: St. John the Evangelist Church, Waynesville Birthplace: Mount Pleasant, S.C. Birthday: July 8, 1996 Raised in: Cruso, N.C. Family: Parents Eric and Tamara Huber; siblings Eric Jr., Joshua, Jessica, Sarah, Maria, Isaac, Noah and Benjamin College: St. Joseph College Huber Seminary Degree: Bachelor of Philosophy, Belmont Abbey College Theology: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Cincinnati Summer assignments in the diocese: Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury; Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensboro; St. Elizabeth Church, Boone; St. Mark Church, Huntersville; and St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte CNH: What are some of your interests/hobbies?

Huber: Skateboarding, basketball, ultimate frisbee, literature, chess and piano CNH: When did you first realize you had a vocation to the priesthood?

Huber: I first heard the call to the priesthood when I was young, possibly 10 or 11 years old. I remember talking to a friend of mine about what we wanted to be when we grew up, and both of us voiced our desire to be the pope! While my aspiration for the papacy has certainly changed, the desire to serve Our Lord as His priest never left. However, my

day, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.’”

Deacon Balkey will serve his summer assignment at Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont. Deacon Huber will serve his summer assignment at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.

More coverage online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Watch a video of the transitional diaconate Mass and view more photos online

Deacon Darren Balkey attention to the call was sporadic. When I was a junior in high school, I had a profound conversion experience in which I felt the deepest peace at the thought of being a priest. Finally, it was not until the summer after my freshman year at Belmont Abbey College while serving as a Totus Tuus missionary that the Lord really revealed Himself to me in such a way that I knew I had to pursue Him. CNH: Who has helped you (mentored you) or given you a good example to follow during these years of discernment and seminary?

Huber: I have been truly blessed to have had several people help me along the path of discernment. From Bishop Jugis and priests of the Diocese of Charlotte, to the monks of Belmont Abbey and priests from other dioceses, I have witnessed true holiness, charity and priestly service. In particular, I owe a debt of gratitude to the priests at St. Joseph College Seminary. From the beginning, they have guided me through my discernment, fostered the love of Christ within me, and helped me get to where I am today.

CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about becoming a transitional deacon here in the Diocese of Charlotte?

Huber: I am very excited to be entering the diaconate for the Diocese of Charlotte. Since I will be making promises of obedience, prayer and celibacy, my ordination day will be like one’s wedding day. On June 5, I will be committed to a life of service to God and His Church, and this knowledge fills me with immense joy.

Home parish: Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury Birthplace: State College, Pa. Birthday: March 1, 1992 Raised in: State College, Pa. Family: Parents Steven and Sheryl Balkey; siblings Matthew and Balkey Seth College: Belmont Abbey College Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Pre-Theology: Pontifical College Josephinum Theology: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Cincinnati Summer assignments in the diocese: St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte; St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte; St. John the Evangelist Church, Waynesville; Queen of the Apostles Church, Belmont CNH: What are some of your interests/ hobbies?

Balkey: Any sort of outdoor adventure – hiking, swimming, biking, climbing, paddling, etc. Also, I enjoy playing the trumpet and working with my hands in the woods or in a shop.

CNH: When did you first realize you had a

vocation to the priesthood?

Balkey: My first sense of a priestly calling was when I started serving Mass, when I was about 9 years old. It seemed natural to want to be near the Word of God and the altar during Holy Mass. Throughout the years, that desire to be near God and bring Him to others stuck around.

CNH: Who has helped you (mentored you) or given you a good example to follow during these years of discernment and seminary?

Balkey: Many of the priests of the Diocese of Charlotte have offered great insight and encouragement, especially my pastor, Father John Eckert.

The seminary’s faculty priests have been exemplary as well, both in Columbus and Cincinnati. Finally, Deacons Albert Beltz and Thomas Hunyor Jr., of Toledo, Ohio, have been authentic companions and mentors.

CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about becoming a transitional deacon here in the Diocese of Charlotte?

Balkey: The deacon is ordained to proclaim the Gospel as he is continually configured to Christ the Servant. This particular season in my vocation allows me to express my gratitude to Almighty God and the faithful for the many gifts bestowed upon me in a very tangible way. I am eager to serve.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Llegaron con gozo ante el Señor Obispo Jugis ordenó a dos hombres al diaconado transicional SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

CHARLOTTE — El 5 de junio, dando un paso más en su camino hacia el sacerdocio, Darren Balkey y Aaron Huber se convirtieron en diáconos transicionales durante una Misa de ordenación en la Iglesia San Marcos en Huntersville.

El Padre Christopher Gober, director diocesano de vocaciones, dio testimonio de la preparación de los dos hombres, que fueron llamados ante el Obispo Jugis durante el inicio del rito de ordenación.

“Con alegría nos presentamos hoy ante el Señor para recibir el don de dos nuevos diáconos para la Iglesia”, dijo el Obispo Jugis durante su homilía. “El Señor nunca se cansa de bendecir a la Iglesia de Charlotte con grandes candidatos a las Órdenes Sagradas. Esa bendición continúa hoy en los dos hombres que han sido elegidos para la ordenación al diaconado”.

El Obispo Jugis señaló que las lecturas de las Escrituras seleccionadas recuerdan el triple ministerio de servicio de los diáconos: del altar, de la caridad y de la Palabra. Luego describió las funciones y responsabilidades a las que están llamados.

“La lectura del Evangelio de San Mateo (9: 35-38), muestra la compasión de Jesús visitando todos los pueblos y aldeas, enseñando en sus sinagogas, proclamando el Evangelio del Reino. Y así nuestros nuevos diáconos, en su ministerio de la Palabra, continuarán el mandato de enseñanza de la Iglesia al proclamar el Evangelio de Cristo en la Misa y enseñar la doctrina de Cristo”, dijo.

“El ministerio diaconal es un ministerio de servicio ... Y ustedes, Aaron y Darren, tendrán un papel oficial en ese ministerio como diáconos de la Iglesia”, agregó.

También les pidió que entreguen su corazón a Jesús. “Permanezcan unidos a Jesús a través de la oración diaria. Y hoy, siendo el primer sábado del mes,

día en el que habitualmente honramos a la Santísima Virgen, pídanle al Corazón Inmaculado que les acerque a Jesús y lo mantenga cerca de ustedes”.

Explicó que al pasar por el rito, ahora serán transformados por la acción del Espíritu Santo. “El carácter espiritual indeleble impreso en sus almas los configurará a Jesucristo, el Siervo. Se hizo Siervo de todos. No vino para ser servido, sino para servir y para dar su vida en rescate por muchos”.

Después de la homilía, Balkey y Huber afirmaron públicamente frente al obispo sus intenciones de servirle a él y a la Iglesia. Luego se postraron ante el altar, mientras el Obispo Jugis se arrodillaba en oración con ellos y los fieles y se coreaba la Letanía de los Santos.

Tras ello, Balkey y Huber se levantaron y, uno a uno, se acercaron al obispo que puso sus manos sobre sus cabezas, rezando la oración de ordenación sobre ellos, consagrándolos como diáconos.

Los recién ordenados fueron investidos con una estola, signo del oficio de servicio del diácono, y la dalmática, la prenda exterior utilizada en la liturgia. El Diácono Darren Balkey fue investido por el Diácono transicional Joseph Wasswa de la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón en Salisbury, y el Diácono Aaron Huber fue investido por el Diácono Timothy Mueller de la Iglesia San Miguel en Gastonia.

Los diáconos recién investidos se acercaron nuevamente al santuario uno por uno, recibiendo el Libro de los Evangelios y un reconocimiento del Obispo Jugis dándoles la bienvenida en su nuevo papel en la Iglesia.

Los dos diáconos ahora podrán proclamar el Evangelio en Misa, predicar por invitación del sacerdote, preparar el altar para la Eucaristía, distribuir el Cuerpo y la Sangre del Señor a los fieles, administrar bautismos, oficiar matrimonios, llevar comunión a los

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Durante el rito de ordenación, los Diáconos Darren Balkey y Aaron Huber se postraron ante las gradas del Santuario durante la Letanía de las Súplicas, mientras el Obispo Jugis y la congregación oraban por los dos ordenados durante la Misa de diaconado transicional del 5 de junio en la Iglesia San Marcos. moribundos, conducir ritos funerarios, instruir a creyentes y no creyentes en la doctrina de la Iglesia, presidir la oración pública y realizar obras de caridad.

El Obispo Jugis dijo a los diáconos Balkey y Huber: “Por su servicio fiel, a imitación de Cristo, que pueda ser bendecido por el mismo Jesús que les diga en sus últimos días: ‘Bien, buen siervo y fiel, entra en el gozo de tu Señor”.

El Diácono Balkey predicó su primera Misa a las 6 de la tarde del viernes 11 de junio, fiesta del Sagrado Corazón, en la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón en Salisbury.

Diácono Aaron Huber Parroquia de origen: Iglesia San Juan Evangelista, Waynesville Lugar de nacimiento: Mount Pleasant, S.C. Fecha de nacimiento: 8 de Julio de 1996.

Criado en: Cruso, N.C. Familiares: Padres Eric y Tamara Huber; hermanos Eric Jr., Joshua, Jessica, Sarah, Maria, Huber Isaac, Noah y Benjamin College: St. Joseph College Seminary.

Grado: Bachiller en Filosofía, Belmont Abbey College Teología: Seminario Mount St. Mary, Cincinnati.

Asignaciones de verano en la diócesis: Iglesia Sagrado Corazón, Salisbury; Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia, Greensboro; Iglesia Santa Elizabeth, Boone; Iglesia San Marcos, Huntersville; e Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino, Charlotte.

CNH: Cuáles son algunos de tus intereses o aficiones?

Huber: Skateboarding, basketball, ultimate frisbee, leer literatura, ajedrez y piano.

CNH: ¿Cuándo te diste cuenta que tenías vocación sacerdotal?

Huber: Escuché por primera vez el llamado al sacerdocio cuando era niño, posiblemente de 10 u 11 años. Recuerdo haber hablado con un amigo mío sobre lo que queríamos ser cuando creciéramos, ¡y ambos expresamos nuestro deseo de ser el Papa! Si bien mi aspiración por el papado ciertamente ha cambiado, el deseo de servir a Nuestro Señor como Su sacerdote nunca se ha ido. Sin embargo,

Cumplirá su asignación de verano en la Iglesia Reina de los Apóstoles en Belmont.

El Diácono Huber predicó su primera Misa a las 9 de la mañana del domingo 6 de junio en la Iglesia San Miguel en Gastonia.

Cumplirá su asignación de verano en la Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino.

Más información online En catholicnewsherald.com: Vea un video de la Misa de ordenación al diaconado transicional y fotografías.

Diácono Darren Balkey mi atención al llamado fue esporádica. Cuando estaba en tercer año de secundaria, tuve una profunda experiencia de conversión en la que sentí la paz más grande al pensar en ser sacerdote. Finalmente, no fue hasta el verano, después de mi primer año en Belmont Abbey College mientras servía como misionero Totus Tuus, que el Señor realmente se me reveló de tal manera que supe que tenía que seguirlo.

CNH: ¿Quién te ha ayudado (guiado) o te ha dado un buen ejemplo a seguir durante estos años de discernimiento y seminario?

Huber: He sido verdaderamente bendecido por haber tenido varias personas que me ayudaron en el camino del discernimiento. Desde el Obispo Jugis y los sacerdotes de la Diócesis de Charlotte, hasta los monjes de la Abadía de Belmont y los sacerdotes de otras diócesis, he sido testigo de la verdadera santidad, caridad y servicio sacerdotal. En particular, tengo una deuda de gratitud con los sacerdotes del Seminario Universitario San José. Desde el inicio, me han guiado a través de mi discernimiento, han fomentado el amor de Cristo dentro de mí y me han ayudado a llegar a donde estoy hoy.

CNH: ¿Tienes algún comentario que te gustaría compartir con nuestros lectores sobre tu ordenamiento como diácono transicional en la diócesis?

Huber: Estoy muy emocionado de ingresar al diaconado de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Dado que haré promesas de obediencia, oración y celibato, el día de mi ordenación será como un día de bodas. El 5 de junio estaré comprometido con una vida de servicio a Dios y a su Iglesia, y ello me llena de inmensa alegría.

Parroquia de origen: Iglesia Sagrado Corazón, Salisbury.

Lugar de nacimiento: State College, Pa. Fecha de nacimiento: 1 de marzo de 1992 Criado en: State College, Pa. Familiares: Padres Balkey Steven y Sheryl Balkey; hermanos Matthew and Seth.

College: Belmont Abbey College.

Grado: Bachiller en Justicia Criminal.

Pre-Teología: Pontificia Universidad Josephinum.

Teología: Seminario Mount St. Mary, Cincinnati.

Asignaciones de verano en la diócesis: Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino, Charlotte; Catedral San Patricio, Charlotte; Iglesia San Juan Evangelista, Waynesville; Iglesia Reina de los Apóstoles, Belmont.

CNH: Cuáles son algunos de tus intereses o aficiones?

Balkey: Todo tipo de aventura al aire libre, caminata, natación, ciclismo, escalada, canotaje, etc. También disfruto de tocar la trompeta y el trabajo manual con madera o mecánica.

CNH: ¿Cuándo te diste cuenta que tenías vocación sacerdotal?

Balkey: Mi primer llamado sacerdotal fue

cuando comencé a servir en Misa, cuando tenía unos 9 años. Me parecía natural querer estar cerca de la Palabra de Dios y el altar durante la Santa Misa. A lo largo de los años, ese deseo de estar cerca de Dios y llevarlo a los demás se mantuvo.

CNH: ¿Quién te ha ayudado (guiado) o te ha dado un buen ejemplo a seguir durante estos años de discernimiento y seminario?

Balkey: Muchos de los sacerdotes de la Diócesis de Charlotte han ofrecido una gran comprensión y aliento, especialmente mi pastor, el Padre John Eckert.

Los sacerdotes de la facultad del seminario también han mi ejemplo, tanto en Columbus como en Cincinnati.

Finalmente, los diáconos Albert Beltz y Thomas Hunyor Jr., de Toledo, Ohio, han sido auténticos compañeros y mentores.

CNH: ¿Tienes algún comentario que te gustaría compartir con nuestros lectores sobre tu ordenamiento como diácono transicional en la diócesis?

Balkey: El diácono se ordena para proclamar el Evangelio mientras se configura continuamente con Cristo el Siervo. Esta temporada particular de mi vocación me permite expresar mi gratitud a Dios Todopoderoso y a los fieles por los muchos dones que se me han otorgado de una manera muy tangible. Estoy ansioso por servir.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Seminarian summer assignments CHARLOTTE — Sixteen Diocese of Charlotte seminarians have been assigned to work at parishes this summer, the diocese’s Vocations Office has announced. They will serve from June 2 to Aug. 8.

Seminarians and their assignments are: n Angermeyer, Christopher: St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville n Balkey, Deacon Darren: Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont n Bauman, Robert: St. Ann Church in Charlotte n Brock, Christopher: Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro n del Cid Lucero, Anthony: St. Mark Church in Huntersville n Dimock Jr., Matthew: St. Michael the Archangel Church in Gastonia n Huber, Deacon Aaron: St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte n Martin, Luke: Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury n Martinez, Kevin: Holy Cross Church in Kernersville n Nnebe-Agumadu, Chinonso: St. Therese Church in Mooresville n Palma Torres, José: St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte n Rusciolelli, Peter: St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon n Sifuentes, Noé: St. Ann Church in Charlotte n Suttle, Elliott: St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson n Tran, Kevin: St. Therese Church in Mooresville n Tweed, James: St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa

Support our seminarians’ education and priests’ retirement Our seminarians’ education is possible thanks to the generosity of parishioners who give to the annual Diocesan Support Appeal, through a Seminarian Education second collection in November and a Seminarian Education second collection on Easter Sunday, distributions from seminarian endowments in the diocesan foundation, and those who contribute gifts to the Seminarian Education Campaign.

Twenty-two endowments in the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte totaling $5.2 million are designated for seminarian education: n The Msgr. Thomas Burke Seminarian Endowment Fund n Beatrice A. Chase Fund n The Conklin Endowment Fund n The A. Loraine Cox and C. Richard Cox Seminarians Education Endowment Fund n Doris & Walter Dietrich Endowment Fund n The Mr. A Steven and Dr. Donna S. Ellington Endowment Fund (benefitting St. Joseph College seminarians) n The Fabrey Endowment Fund n FFHL - Seminarian n Dick Kelly Fund n Seminarian Michael G. Kitson Memorial Endowment Fund n The Lee Endowment Fund n William Rabil and Rosalie Fund n The Reverend Timothy S. Reid Endowment Fund n Eugene & Carmen Rossitch Seminarian Fund n The Matthew Scheible Endowment Fund n Dr. Marvin L. Schrum and Paula B. Schrum Education Endowment Fund n The Seminarians Education Endowment Fund n The Abdou J. and Edna S. Showfety Seminarian Endowment Fund n Stephen D. Showfety Endowment Fund n The St. Lawrence Council (#1695) RSVP Endowment Fund n St. Lucien Seminarian Scholarship Fund n The Valentine Family Seminarian Education Endowment Fund For information about making a gift to support seminarian education, contact Jim Kelley, director of development, at 704-370-3301 or jkkelley@charlottediocese.org.

Each September, people have the opportunity to celebrate the faithful service of our retired diocesan priests, as well as show gratitude to the priests currently serving in the diocese, by contributing to the Priests’ Retirement and Benefits second collection. This year each parish is assessed 2.5 percent of its annual offertory collection to raise the funds needed to support priests’ retirement and benefits. The second collection helps the parishes pay this assessment. Three endowments in the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte are also designated for priests’ retirement.

For information on establishing endowments for seminarian education or priests’ retirement, contact Kelley at 704-370-3301 or jkkelley@charlottediocese.org.

— Catholic News Herald

Father Larry Heiney is retiring this month after 46 years of priestly ministry.

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pastor of Holy Angels Church to retire SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

MOUNT AIRY — Parishioners of Holy Angels Church will say goodbye to Father Larry Heiney, their pastor of nine years, when he retires at the end of June. Father Heiney celebrated 46 years of priestly ministry last April.

He is a native of Harrisburg, Pa., who grew up Catholic and entered a minor seminary in high school run by the Sulpician Fathers and located at St. Charles College in Baltimore, Md. He completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Seminary in Saint Meinrad, Ind., which was run by the Benedictines.

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Harrisburg on April 26, 1975, by Bishop Joseph T. Daley.

In his retirement interview with the Catholic News Herald, Father Larry, as he prefers to be called, shares that he went into the minor seminary after seeing two other friends enter the previous year.

“I saw the others (who had gone a year before) and I thought I wanted to be a priest,” he recalls.

Father Larry completed his priestly studies at the Benedictine seminary but says he never felt drawn to monastic life.

Now an avid researcher in the area of genealogy, he loved how the Benedictine theology was presented all through a historical prism. “I love history and love telling history,” he says.

Father Larry served as a diocesan priest for the Diocese of Harrisburg for 20 years before coming to the Diocese of Charlotte in 1995.

Initially, he served at St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon for three years before becoming incardinated into the Charlotte diocese in 1998.

Since then he has served at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Gastonia, Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Albemarle, St. Benedict Church in Winston-Salem and Good Shepherd Mission in King before becoming pastor of Holy Angels Church. He recently oversaw the parish’s 100th anniversary celebrations.

Father Larry says that to him, the most important aspect of his priesthood has been pastoring his flock.

“My philosophy is always to be

involved with people, to try to have events with them,” he explains. “I have always been promoting the liturgy and the Ordinary Form of worship of the Church, and how it works in each person’s life.”

What has he enjoyed the most over his 46 years of priestly ministry?

“It’s always been the people,” he notes. “As a parish priest I think, ‘How can I move people to be closer to God, to open the people to the liturgy?’”

He says that his homilies, which are also translated into Spanish, are “the breaking open of the Word of God that is proclaimed in that circumstance… so that everything is more of a meditation on the Scriptures.”

Father Larry plans to spend more time on his beloved genealogy research in his retirement, attend genealogy workshops and travel to visit family.

He will reside at Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point where he can concelebrate daily Mass with the other priests in residence.

“Now I’m ending up at a Catholic retirement home, I am really going to be a lifer!” he jokes.

Father Shea says goodbye to St. Peter Parish CHARLOTTE — Jesuit Father James Shea left St. Peter Church in Charlotte last week after six years as pastor. He will take up a new assignment with his religious order at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. “This parish has grown a great deal in the last years,” Father Shea said in a special video message to parishioners posted to the parish’s Facebook page. “We’ve grown in numbers, but more importantly, I think, we’ve grown in depth.

“So many more people have learned to go deeper in prayer. We’ve taken advantage of our Jesuit heritage in important ways – both in terms of experience of God in prayer and of a faith that does justice. I’m very grateful.”

Barbara Gaddy, lead sacristan at the parish, thanked Father Shea on behalf of the people involved in the parish’s ministries for his leadership and the speakers he brought in to explore and better understand the liturgy and the faith.

“Thank you from the depths my heart for the ways that you called us to go deeper. And you did that from the very first time you spoke here, and it was always a challenge for us to go deeper,” Gaddy said. “Your homilies will be sorely missed.”

Watch Father Shea’s farewell message online at www. fb.watch/5U-nyhVP6M.

PHOTO VIA ST. PETER CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE

St. Peter parishioners in Charlotte said goodbye to Jesuit Father James Shea last week after he served six years as pastor. He will take up a new assignment with his religious order at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

‘My mother is my inspiration for my vocation’ Father Mariasoosai celebrates 40 years of priestly ministry EDEN – Father Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai, pastor of St. Joseph of the Hills Church, marked 40 years of priestly ministry on May 10. He recently shared some insights with the Catholic News Herald on his life growing up in India and how his vocation came to be and evolved over the past four decades.

the college of consultors to the bishop, serving as vicar forane for 19 parishes, and serving as a member of the Diocesan Education Board for all schools in the Archdiocese of Madurai. I was so happily exercising my priestly office in these various areas for 19 years. Then I went to Jamaica for three years to explore pastoral experiences outside of my country. Everything in my life was done

by God. Then I came to North Carolina and was sent to serve in Eden, in the Diocese of Charlotte, on June 6, 2003.

Then I was appointed administrator to Our Lady of the Angels Mission in Marion, on Sept. 18, 2003; then to Christ the King Church in High Point, and now

CNH: Were you born a cradle Catholic?

Father Mariasoosai: I was born in a Catholic family, surrounded by Catholic people in a town in India.

CNH: Can you tell us about your vocation?

Father Mariasoosai: My mother was my inspiration (in my vocation). My mother was a woman of great faith and service, a model of sanctity and sacrifice, and understanding, caring and loving. She was good consoler for whoever needed it.

Her key words for me were: “Look with your eyes, and do with your hands with faith.” She was daily attending community evening prayer services in my hometown’s church. Sometimes she used to teach the little children how to pray the rosary, how to adore Jesus Christ in the Eucharist when the priest lifts up the consecrated Host and Blood, how to serve the Church, and how to help the priest, and the poor, so on and so forth.

Her lifestyle inspired me so strongly in order to become a man of faith. She was not only teaching me all the spiritual exercises, but also observing me if I was doing them correctly. She asked me to pray with her every day immediately after the church community’s evening prayer.

I was growing under the care, love and protection of my mother, and she spiritually nourished me in every aspect.

I was also growing physically, spiritually and mentally in a Catholic family atmosphere. At the age of 13, one seminarian named Peter, who lived in my hometown, came to my house and was talking with my mother, and pointing his finger towards me asking her to send me to priesthood formation.

During their conversation, I felt the power of the Holy Spirit pushing me and taking me to our prayer room inside of the house. I recited prayers including the Memorare, and I felt full of joy in front of our prayer room’s religious images.

CNH: Where did you go to seminary and where were you ordained?

Father Mariasoosai: During my seminary formation I earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Madurai, India, and I got a bachelor’s degree in theology at St. Paul’s Seminary in Trichy, India. I was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Madurai, India, by Archbishop Justin Diraviam on May 10, 1981.

CNH: Where have you served over the past 40 years?

Father Mariasoosai: I was happily exercising my priestly ministry for the Archdiocese of Madurai, serving as pastor in various parishes, serving in

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‘Mi madre es la inspiración de mi vocación’ El Padre Mariasoosai celebra 40 años de ministerio sacerdotal EDEN – El Padre Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai, pastor de la Iglesia San José de las Colinas, cumplió 40 años de ministerio sacerdotal el 10 de mayo. Recientemente compartió algunos pensamientos con Catholic News Herald sobre su vida al crecer en la India y cómo surgió y Father Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai celebrated 40 years of priestly ministry May 10. He is pictured with some distant relatives – a couple visiting from India, their daughter and grandson who live in Greensboro and who attended his anniversary Mass.

El Padre Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai celebró 40 años de ministerio sacerdotal el 10 de mayo. En la gráfica aparece con algunos parientes lejanos, una pareja de visita de la India, su hija y su nieta, que viven en Greensboro, y que asistieron a la misa de aniversario.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY FATHER GNANAPRAGASAM MARIASOOSAI

I am pastor of St. Joseph of the Hills Church in Eden.

evolucionó su vocación en las últimas cuatro décadas.

CNH: What do you enjoy most about your priestly ministry?

Father Mariasoosai: I was and I am so happy that God called me to be one of His instruments to carry out His mission on earth. I was and I am so happy to serve the People of God for 40 years. I am also so happy to see the sanctifying and healing power of God working through my hands to the People of God every day of my life.

In particular, when I was serving in Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Kingston, Jamaica, I could feel and experience outwardly the power of the Holy Spirit passing through me to the people who were coming to me for blessings after the healing Mass.

When I was hearing confessions in our diocesan Eucharistic Congress, I was so happy to hear from people saying that they were very happy, felt healed, and very peaceful after their confession to me. I am very happy to be an instrument of God for the people by exercising my priestly ministries entrusted to my care.

Every day I say Mass with deep devotion and feeling inside of me that this is my last Mass. I am very grateful to God always for His wondrous blessings, and covering me with His mysterious power.

May God bless me and bless all priests in the Diocese of Charlotte.

CNH: ¿Es católico de nacimiento?

Padre Mariasoosai: Nací en una familia católica, rodeado de gente católica en un pueblo de la India.

CNH: ¿Qué nos puede decir de su vocación?

Padre Mariasoosai: Mi madre fue mi inspiración (en mi vocación). Mi madre era una mujer de gran fe y servicio, un modelo de santidad, sacrificio, comprensión, cariño y amor. Daba un buen consuelo a quien lo necesitaba.

Sus palabras clave para mí fueron: “Mira con tus ojos y haz con tus manos con fe”.

Ella asistía todos los días a los servicios comunitarios de oración vespertina en la iglesia de mi ciudad natal. A veces enseñaba a los niños pequeños a rezar el rosario, a adorar a Jesucristo en la Eucaristía cuando el sacerdote levanta la Hostia y la Sangre consagradas, cómo servir a la Iglesia y cómo ayudar al sacerdote y a los pobres, entre otras muchas cosas.

Su estilo de vida me inspiró mucho para convertirme en un hombre de fe. Ella no solo me enseñaba los ejercicios espirituales, sino también observaba si lo hacía correctamente.

Me pedía que orara con ella todos los días, inmediatamente después de la oración vespertina de la comunidad de la iglesia.

Crecí bajo el cuidado, amor y protección de mi madre. Ella me nutría

espiritualmente en todos los aspectos.

También estaba creciendo física, espiritual y mentalmente en un ambiente familiar católico. A los 13 años, un seminarista llamado Peter, que vivía en mi ciudad natal, vino a casa, habló con mi madre, y me señaló con el dedo pidiéndole que me enviara a la formación sacerdotal.

Durante su conversación, sentí el poder del Espíritu Santo empujándome y llevándome a nuestra sala de oración dentro de la casa. Recité las oraciones Alma de Cristo y Recuérdanos, Santísima Madre de Dios, y me llené de alegría frente a cuadros religiosos.

CNH: ¿A qué seminario asistió y dónde fue ordenado?

Padre Mariasoosai: Durante mi formación en el seminario obtuve un bachillerato en filosofía en la Universidad de Madurai, India, y una licenciatura en teología en San Pablo, Trichy, India. El Arzobispo Justin Diraviam me ordenó sacerdote para la Arquidiócesis de Madurai, India, el 10 de mayo de 1981.

CNH: ¿Dónde ha servido durante los últimos 40 años?

Padre Mariasoosai: He ejercido felizmente mi ministerio sacerdotal para la Arquidiócesis de Madurai, sirviendo como pastor en varias parroquias, en el colegio de consultores del obispo, como vicario para 19 parroquias, como miembro de la Junta de Educación Diocesana para las escuelas de la Arquidiócesis de Madurai.

Estuve tan felizmente ejerciendo mi oficio sacerdotal en estas diversas áreas durante 19 años. Luego fui a Jamaica por tres años para explorar experiencias pastorales fuera de mi país. Todo en mi vida fue hecho por Dios. Luego vine a Carolina del Norte y fui enviado a servir en Eden, en la Diócesis de Charlotte, el 6 de junio de 2003. Luego fui nombrado administrador de la Misión Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles en Marion, el 18 de septiembre de 2003; luego asignado a la Iglesia Cristo Rey, en High Point; y ahora soy pastor de la Iglesia San José de las Colinas en Eden.

CNH: ¿Qué es lo que más disfruta de su ministerio sacerdotal?

Padre Mariasoosai: Estaba y estoy muy feliz de que Dios me haya llamado a ser uno de sus instrumentos para llevar a cabo su misión en la Tierra. Estaba y estoy muy feliz de servir al Pueblo de Dios durante 40 años. Estoy muy feliz de ver el poder santificador y sanador de Dios obrando a través de mis manos para el Pueblo de Dios todos los días de mi vida.

Particularmente, cuando estaba sirviendo en la Iglesia San Pedro y San Pablo en Kingston, Jamaica, pude sentir y experimentar externamente el poder del Espíritu Santo pasando a través mío a las personas que venían en busca de bendiciones después de una Misa de sanación.

Cuando escuchaba confesiones en nuestro Congreso Eucarístico Diocesano, estaba muy feliz de oír decir a la gente que estaban muy felices, se sentían curados y muy en paz después de confesarse conmigo. Estoy muy contento de ser un instrumento de Dios para el pueblo ejerciendo mis ministerios sacerdotales encomendados a mi cuidado.

Todos los días digo Misa con profunda devoción, sintiendo dentro de mí que esta es mi última Misa. Siempre estoy muy agradecido a Dios por Sus maravillosas bendiciones, y por cubrirme con Su misterioso poder. Que Dios me bendiga y bendiga a todos los sacerdotes de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

10B iiJune 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

CATHOLIC N

Celebrating our Priests

10 YEARS

15 YEARS

Father Joshua Voitus

Father James Stuhrenberg Father Alejandro Ayala

5 YEARS Father Cory Catron Father David McCanless

30 YEARS

35 YEARS

40 YEARS

Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio

Father Fabio de Jesus Marín Morales, CSsR

Father Francis Cancro Father José Antonio Juya Father James Byer Father Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai Father Carl DelGiudice Father John Michalowski, SJ

10 YEARS

Deacons

Deacon W. Dave Powers Deacon Enedino S. Aquino Deacon Daren S. Bitter Deacon Michael Martini Deacon David S. Reiser Deacon Martin Ricart III Deacon William H. Wilson

25 YEARS

30 YEARS

35 YEARS

Deacon Lawrence P. O’Toole

Deacon Paul A. Liotard

Deacon Jeffrey S. Evers Deacon H. Paul Herman Deacon Darío García Ospina

20 Y

Father Adri Father Christop Father James D Father T Father Rob Father

NEWS HERALD

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

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2021 Jubilarians

YEARS

25 YEARS

rian Porras pher Roux Duc Duong Tien Duong bert Ferris Kurt Fohn

Father Fidel Melo Father Innocent C. Amasiorah

45 YEARS

60 YEARS

Father John D. Hoover

Father James Cahill Father Joseph Ayathupadam

15 YEARS Deacon Lee T. Levenson Deacon John Szarek Deacon James L. Atkinson Deacon David P. Boissey Sr. Deacon Mark S. Diener Deacon Walter J. Haarsgaard Deacon Edward A. Konarski

Deacon John T. Kopfle Deacon Larry G. Lisk Deacon John A. Martino Deacon Brian P. McNulty Deacon Robert T. Murphy Deacon A. Stephen Pickett Deacon Kevin B. Williams

20 YEARS Deacon Scott D. Gilfillan Deacon Pierre M. K’Briuh Deacon David E. King Deacon R. Alexander Lyerly Deacon James J. Mazur Deacon Mark D. Nash Deacon Michael J. Zboyovski

40 YEARS

Women religious

25 YEARS

Sister Joann Ury, RSM

55 YEARS

Sister Bernadette McNamara, RSM

60 YEARS

Sister Mary Charles Cameron, RSM

Deacon Clarke E. Cochran

50 YEARS

Sister Carolyn McWatters, RSM Sister Acquina Pinnakatt, MOC

70 YEARS

Sister Janis McQuade, SSJ

Sister Ann Marie Wilson, RSM Sister Paula Diann Marlin, RSM

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 12B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Juya marks 40th anniversary GASTONIA — Father José Antonio Juya Vargas is celebrating his 40th anniversary of ordination this year.

He was born in Rondón, Boyacá, a cattleraising and coffee-growing area in eastern Colombia, on July 15, 1952.

He was named after two saints: one also his father’s name, José Estanislao Juya, and the other in honor of the devotion of his mother, Doña Briceida Vargas, to St. Anthony.

His Catholic faith was deepened thanks to the example of his mother, a leader of the Daughters of Mary and the Legion of Mary.

“At home we never talked about the priesthood,” Father Juya recalls. “At that time, in my town, only wealthy people became priests because the seminary cost a lot and was out of our reach.”

When he was in the fourth grade, priests of the Somascan Fathers from Italy approached him and his friends, handing out flyers that talked about priestly vocations. “I took that flyer home and my mom kept it,” he recalls.

When he finished primary school at the age of 13, his parents decided that the Somascans’ offer was an opportunity that should not be wasted. “They packed the bags for me and my brother Filemón Arsenio Juya Vargas, and we went to Bogotá to study high school with them.”

They finished high school at Colegio Calasanz in Bogotá, then they completed their novitiate in Central America. After returning to Bogotá, the Juya brothers took temporary vows, and thanks to Archbishop Augusto Trujillo Arango from Tunja, Boyacá, they became diocesan seminarians and entered the Archdiocesan Regional Major Seminary in Tunja. There Father Juya studied four years of philosophy and another four years of theology.

On Dec. 12, 1981, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, José and his brother Filemón were ordained priests by Monsignor Juan Eliseo Mojíca Oliveros at St. Raphael Church in Rondón.

After receiving holy orders, thanks to his training in philosophy, psychology and education at Santo Tomás and La Sabana universities, Father Juya was assigned to the Cathedral of Garagoa to serve with youth ministry. Later, he was assigned to an armed conflict zone where he met a Scalabrinian Missionaries priest, member of a religious order that works with migrants, who suggested he serve at a foreign mission.

His brother Filemón was the first to go on mission – moving to Ontario, Canada. But soon Father Juya followed in his brother’s footsteps. Both studied at the University of

Waterloo in Ontario and traveled together to GASTONIA — El Padre José Antonio Rome for a pastoral course.

Juya Vargas nació en Rondón, Boyacá, Later, Father Filemón was called to zona oriental ganadera y cafetera de service in South Carolina, and Father Juya Colombia, el 15 de julio de 1952. again followed him for a short time. “It Su nombre responde a dos santos, el del was the year 2000, and there I met Father nombre de su padre, José Estanislao Juya, Vincent Finnerty, then in charge of Hispanic y el otro por la devoción a San Antonio de Ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte, who su madre, doña Briceida Vargas. brought me to the Vicariate of Gastonia. ‘I’m Recibió una formación católica sencilla going to give you the easiest one,’ he told y vio el ejemplo de su madre que fue una me,” Father Juya recalls with a smile. lideresa de las Hijas de María y la Legión The Juya brothers remained united and de María. close to each “En mi casa other until Father nunca nos Filemón’s death, hablaron del on June 30, 2011, sacerdocio. in Columbia, S.C. Por esa época, “He died in my en mi pueblo, arms,” Father solo la gente Juya notes with adinerada sadness. llegaba a ser Besides his sacerdote, el current service seminario as Hispanic costaba Ministry mucho y era coordinator inalcanzable”. at St. Michael Cuando Church in CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD cursaba el Gastonia, Father cuarto año Born in Rondón, Boyacá, the coffee land of Colombia, Father Juya has also de primaria, José Antonio Juya and his brother Filemón both became priests. served in Forest sacerdotes de Starting in Colombia, and later in Canada and then in the City, Shelby, la orden de Carolinas, the Juya brothers remained always united until Father Lincolnton and los Somascos Filemón’s death in 2011. “He died in my arms,” Father José Juya Belmont. procedentes sadly recalls.

He enjoys de Italia se his pastoral acercaron Nacido en Rondón, Boyacá, tierra cafetera de Colombia, el Padre work. “I love a José y sus José Antonio Juya y su hermano Filemón siguieron el camino del my profession amiguitos. Les sacerdocio juntos. Inicialmente en Colombia, y luego en Canadá y as a priest and entregaron las Carolinas, los hermanos Juya permanecieron siempre unidos my mission is volantes que hasta el fallecimiento del Padre Filemón, el 30 de junio de 2011 en to train leaders, hablaban Columbia, Carolina del Sur. “Falleció en mis brazos”, recordó el people who sobre las Padre José Juya con tristeza. feel part of the vocaciones Church,” he says. sacerdotales. “Yo llevé a casa ese volante y He has relied on his travels and life mi mamá se lo quedó”, dijo. experiences to relate to others in his priestly A los 13 años de edad, ya a punto ministry. de concluir los estudios primarios, In his youth he was a basketball, tennis sus padres decidieron que la oferta and ping-pong player. He enjoys horseback de los sacerdotes Somascos era riding and also has been – this may surprise una oportunidad que no se podía you – a bullfighter. desperdiciar. “Nos hicieron las maletas To those who want to become priests, a mi y a mi hermano, Filemón Arsenio Father Juya advises, “Study the human Juya Vargas, y nos fuimos a Bogotá a sciences above all, because the Gospel is estudiar el bachillerato con ellos”. embodied in what life itself is.”

Concluyeron los estudios en el Colegio “The priest must be accompanied, not seen Calasanz en Bogotá, luego hicieron only as an administrator, but as a brother. el noviciado en Centroamérica. Tras He also feels pain, illness, joy, he has plans. I regresar a Bogotá, los hermanos Juya thank the people, especially the poorest, who tomaron los votos temporales, y gracias are always looking out for one another.” al Arzobispo Augusto Trujillo Arango

St. Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church Lenoir, NC

Congratulations to Fr. Juan Miguel Sanchez on his ordination to the Priesthood Deacon Stephen Pickett on the 15th anniversary of his ordination God bless them in their ministry!

El P. Juya celebra su 40 aniversario de Tunja, pasaron a ser diocesanos e ingresaron al Seminario Mayor Regional Arquidiocesano en Tunja, Boyacá. Ahí el Padre José Juya estudió cuatro años de Filosofía y otros cuatro de Teología.

El 12 de diciembre de 1981, fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, José Antonio Juya Vargas, junto a su hermano Filemón, fueron ordenados sacerdotes por Monseñor Juan Eliseo Mojíca Oliveros en la Iglesia San Rafael en Rondón.

Tras recibir el Orden Sagrado, gracias a su formación en filosofía, psicología y educación en las universidades Santo Tomás​​​​y La Sabana, fue asignado a la Catedral de Garagoa para servir con las juventudes. Después, fue enviado a una zona de conflicto armado donde conoció un sacerdote Scalabriano, misioneros que trabajan con migrantes, quien le sugirió se desplace a una misión fuera del país.

Su hermano Filemón se trasladó a Waterloo, Ontario, Canadá. Luego el Padre José Antonio Juya le seguiría los pasos.

Ambos estudiaron en la Universidad de Waterloo y viajaron juntos a Roma para realizar un curso de Pastoral.

Después el Padre Filemón fue llamado al servicio en Carolina del Sur, a donde el Padre José Antonio lo seguiría por breve tiempo. “Era el año 2000, y ahí conocí al Padre Vicente Finnerty, en ese entonces a cargo de la Pastoral Hispana en la Diócesis de Charlotte, quien me trajo a la Vicaría de Gastonia. ‘Le voy a dar la más fácil’, me dijo”, recuerda el Padre José Antonio sonriendo.

Como vicario en la Iglesia San Miguel en Gastonia, ha servido también en misiones en Forest City, Shelby, Lincolnton y Belmont.

Disfruta especialmente del trabajo pastoral. “Amo mi profesión de sacerdote y mi misión es formar líderes, gente que se sienta partícipe de la Iglesia”, afirma.

En su juventud fue jugador de baloncesto, tenis y tenis de mesa. Disfruta de montar a caballo y ha sido, algo que lo sorprenderá, torero de potreros.

A quienes desean convertirse en sacerdotes les diría que “estudien sobre todo ciencias humanas porque el Evangelio viene encarnado en lo que es la vida misma”.

“Al sacerdote hay que acompañarlo, no verlo solo como un administrador, sino como un hermano. También siente dolor, enfermedad, alegría, tiene sus ilusiones.

Agradezco a la gente, sobre todo a la más pobre que siempre está pendiente de uno”, finalizó.

St. John Neumann Parish in Charlotte congratulates Deacon Mark Diener on the 15th anniversary of his ordination.

May God continue to bless you in your ministry!

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Father Marín gives thanks to God for priestly vocation KANNAPOLIS — Redemptorist Father Fabio Marín Morales celebrated his 35th anniversary of ordination June 13. During the Mass at his parish, St. Joseph Church in Kannapolis, he gave thanks to God for “these 35 years He has led me by His hand.”

Father Marín was born in Neira, Caldas, Colombia, on Oct. 3, 1959. He is the youngest of three children of Juan de Jesús Marín and Margarita Morales. His family has a deep Catholic faith, and he was baptized on Oct. 10, 1959, confirmed at the age of 3, and celebrated his first Holy Communion on Aug. 14, 1966.

From an early age he was inclined to the priestly life, but during his teenage years the idea disappeared from his mind. However, the call to the priesthood returned in a strong way when he graduated from high school.

On Jan. 6, 1980, he professed vows with the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer of the Redemptorist Missionaries. He studied philosophy at the Center for Pastoral and Philosophy in Bogotá, Colombia, and theology at the International Redemptorist Seminary of Mexico and at the Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá. He had postgraduate studies in spiritual theology at the Teresianum in Rome.

On June 13, 1986, at the Redemptorist Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Manizales, Colombia, he was ordinated to the priesthood by Bishop Bernardo Arango Henao, S.J. Father Marín has served as a vocations promoter in central and northern Colombia; pastor at St. Alfonso Maria de Liguorio Parish in Bogota; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Popayán, Cauca; vicar for consecrated life and institutes of apostolic life for the Archdiocese of Popayán, Colombia; director of the Villa Marianella House of Spiritual Exercises in Chinauta, Cundinamarca, Colombia; administrator of San Alfonso University Foundation; and now in the United States serving in Hispanic Ministry and serving as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Kannapolis.

“Every day I feel more and more grateful to God for having called me to the priestly ministry. Despite my fragile humanity, the Lord has sustained me during all these years so that I may continue to accompany, on the way to salvation, the portion of the

people where He Himself has placed me,” Father Marín says.

“It amazes me to see the constancy and generosity of so many people in maintaining their religious principles, to see so many people full of God, who with their lives bear witness to the presence and

El padre Marín da gracias a Dios por su vocación sacerdotal KANNAPOLIS — El padre redentorista Fabio Marín Morales celebró su 35 aniversario de ordenación el 13 de junio.

Durante la Misa en su parroquia, la iglesia San José en Kannapolis, dio gracias a Dios por “estos 35 años que me ha llevado de la mano”.

Father Fabio Marín Morales was ordained in his native Colombia, where he received numerous important assignments.

He is currently pastor of St. Joseph Church in Kannapolis and also serves at nearby St. James the Greater Church in Concord.

“With each passing day I am more and more grateful to God for having called me to the priestly ministry,” he says.

El Padre Fabio Marín Morales se ordenó en su natal Colombia, donde recibió numerosas importantes asignaciones.

Actualmente es pastor de la parroquia San José en Kannapolis y sacerdote en la Iglesia Santiago el Grande en Concord. “Cada día que pasa estoy más y más agradecido con Dios de haberme llamado al ministerio sacerdotal”, aseguró.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

love of the Lord,” despite all the challenges of recent times, he adds.

“The apostolic work has put me in contact with the harsh reality of each day, with a world that sometimes seems thirsty for God and sometimes forgets Him,” he says. “It has led me to fully enjoy my dedication to the Lord. This is where I find the greatest meaning in my priestly life.

Despite the constant sufferings of the world today, the human being remains hopeful, full of faith.”

K of C Queen of the Apostles Council #11076

Deacon Chip Wilson

offers congratulations to our Brother Deacon Chip Wilson on the 10th anniversary of his ordination

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Nació en Neira, Caldas, Colombia, el 3 de octubre de 1959. Es el último de los tres hijos de Juan de Jesús Marín y Margarita Morales. De familia con profundas raíces católicas, fue bautizado el 10 de octubre, confirmado a los tres años y celebró su Primera Comunión el 14 de agosto de 1966.

Desde muy temprana edad tuvo inclinación a la vida sacerdotal, pero durante su adolescencia la idea desapareció de su mente, retornando con fuerza cuando concluía sus estudios

secundarios.

El 6 de enero de 1980 profesó en la Congregación del Santísimo Redentor de los Misioneros Redentoristas. Estudió filosofía en el Centro de Pastoral y Filosofía de Bogotá, y teología en el Seminario Internacional Redentorista de México y en la Universidad Javeriana de Bogotá. Realizó estudios de especialización en Teología Espiritual en el Teresianum de Roma.

El 13 de junio de 1986, en la parroquia Redentorista Nuestra Señora de Lourdes en Manizales, Colombia, recibió la ordenación sacerdotal de manos de Mons.

Bernardo Arango Henao SJ. Se ha desempeñado como Promotor Vocacional en el centro y norte de Colombia, párroco en San Alfonso María de Liguorio en Bogotá, Nuestra Sra. del Perpetuo Socorro en Popayán, Cauca, Vicario para la vida Consagrada e institutos de vida apostólica en la Arquidiócesis de Popayán, Director de la casa de Ejercicios de Villa Marianella en Chinauta, Cundinamarca, Administrador de la Fundación Universitaria San Alfonso, y en Estados Unidos en la pastoral Hispana, ahora como párroco en San José en Kannapolis.

“Cada día que pasa estoy más y más agradecido con Dios de haberme llamado al ministerio sacerdotal. A pesar de mi frágil humanidad, el Señor me ha sostenido durante todos estos años para que siga acompañando, en el camino a la salvación, a la porción del pueblo en donde Él mismo me ha colocado”.

El Padre Fabio afirma que “le maravilla el ver la constancia y la generosidad de tanta gente al mantener sus principios religiosos a flor de piel, ver tanta gente llena de Dios que con su vida da testimonio de la presencia y amor del Señor”, pese a todos los cambios que han sucedido en los últimos tiempos.

“Este hecho me ha llevado a disfrutar ampliamente mi entrega al Señor, aquí es donde encuentro el mayor sentido de mi vida sacerdotal. A pesar de los constantes sufrimientos del mundo de hoy, el ser humano sigue esperanzado lleno de fe.

El trabajo apostólico me ha puesto en contacto con la dura realidad de cada día, con un mundo que a veces parece sediento de Dios y a veces se olvida de él”, puntualizó.

God Bless You! Deacon John Kopfle

The Staff and Parishioners of St. Vincent de Paul want to congratulate you on your 15 years in the Diaconate.

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 14B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Prayer for Deacons to Mary

In Memoriam

0 loving Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Deacons, take to your heart your sons who are close to you because of their diaconal ordination to serve in the person of Jesus in a world that needs them so much.

MARY Teacher of faith, who by your obedience to the Word of God have cooperated in a remarkable way with the work of redemption, make the ministry of deacons effective by teaching them to hear the Word and to proclaim it faithfully.

MARY Teacher of charity, who by your total openness to God’s call have cooperated in bringing to birth all the Church’s faithful, make the ministry and the life of deacons fruitful by teaching them to give themselves totally to the service of the People of God. MARY Teacher of prayer, who through your maternal intercession have supported and helped the Church from her beginnings, make deacons always attentive to the needs of the faithful by teaching them to come to know the value of prayer.

MARY Teacher of humility, who by constantly knowing yourself to be the servant of the Lord were filled with the Holy Spirit, make deacons docile instruments in Christ’s work of redemption by Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All Grace teaching them the greatness of being the least of all.

MARY Teacher of that service which is hidden, who by your everyday and ordinary life filled with love, knew how to cooperate with the salvific plan of God in an exemplary fashion, make deacons good and faithful servants by teaching them the joy of serving the Church with an ardent love.

Amen.

During the Annual Deacons and Wives Retreat, the Saturday morning Mass provides a special time. It is when the deacon community celebrates the lives of the deceased deacons and wives who have faithfully served the Diocese of Charlotte. During the Prayers of the Faithful, each name is read reflecting the memories of their lives as servants of Christ and His Church:

— Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons

Mrs. Annie Mae Manning 06-13-1982 Mrs. Jean Smith 09-21-1987 Deacon Leonard Pliska 12-04-1990 Deacon Canio Codella 06-25-1991 Deacon John Doyle 05-16-1992 Mrs. Joann Chirico 09-09-1993 Mrs. Mary Codella 02-23-1995 Deacon Joseph Weckbach 12-04-1995 Deacon John Gallen 10-26-1996 Mrs. Ann Forester 01-01-1998 Mrs. Doris Pliska 06-11-1998 Mrs. Christine Doyle 12-13-1998 Mrs. Mary Ellen Schumacher 06-07-1999 Mrs. Margaret Morovich 04-07-2000 Deacon Josef Vandermeer 05-19-2000 Deacon Edward Morovich 06-01-2000 Deacon Frederick Dobens 08-24-2000 Mrs. Diane O’Madigan 03-22-2001 Mrs. Lorraine LaPointe 05-23-2001 Deacon Joseph Garavaglia 02-25-2002 Deacon Albert Renuart 09-24-2002 Mrs. Christine Gillis 06-17-2003 Mrs. Irene Fadero 08-15-2005 Deacon Frank Aversa 10-02-2005 Deacon Richard Kauth 12-15-2005 Deacon Patrick Vallandingham 07-06-2006

Mrs. Virginia Schumacher 09-09-2006 Mrs. Emily Kak 11-09-2006 Deacon George McMahon 02-15-2007 Mrs. Helen Mack 02-21-2007 Mrs. Muchie Dobens 11-05-2008 Mrs. Mary Gallen 10-05-2009 Deacon J. Daniel Carl 02-12-2010 Deacon Louis Rinkus 02-17-2010 Mrs. Lavone Knight 05-12-2010 Deacon Hugo May 06-23-2010 Deacon Gerard Schumacher 12-01-2010 Deacon Nicholas Fadero 02-10-2011 Deacon Franklin Manning 02-13-2011 Mrs. Doris Gettelfinger 04-04-2011 Deacon Gerald Hickey 06-06-2011 Mrs. Mary Rinkus 08-10-2011 Deacon John Burke 02-29-2012 Deacon Edwin Rodriguez 07-01-2012 Deacon Joseph Smith 08-28-2012 Deacon Paul Teich 03-13-2013 Mrs. Bertha (Bert) Dotson 05-06-2013 Mrs. Mary Jane Renuart 06-19-2013 Mrs. Jean Forester 12-31-2013 Deacon John Parrish 06-06-2015 Mrs. Eileen Miles 07-04-2015 Deacon Dennis O’Madigan 01-31-2016 Deacon Robert Dotson 07-07-2016

Deacon Stephen Horai 07-11-2016 Mrs. Maria Marini 07-11-2016 Mrs. Ladis Zimmerle 09-07-2016 Deacon Gerard LaPointe 12-18-2016 Deacon Thomas Rasmussen 12-22-2016 Mrs. Carole Hubbell 01-29-2017 Deacon Robert Kratchman 04-06-2017 Mrs. Elizabeth Herman 04-27-2017 Deacon Eugene Gillis 06-14-2017 Deacon Charles Dietsch 08-31-2017 Deacon Charles Knight 09-13-2017 Mrs. Joan Hickey 12-27-2017 Mrs. Mary Triana 05-26-2018 Deacon Ronald Steinkamp 06-10-2018 Deacon Paul “Pe” Lee 10-17-2018 Mrs. Sandra Killian 04-30-2019 Mrs. Bobbie May 05-20-2019 Deacon Michael Stout 02-04-2020 Deacon Charles Brantley 02-27-2020 Deacon James Johnson 03-10-2020 Deacon Joseph Mack 03-22-2020 Deacon Gordon Forester 08-01-2020 Deacon John Zimmerle 11-27-2020 Deacon Patrick Devine 12-10-2020 Deacon Rudy Triana 01-23-2021 Mrs. Elease Huff 02-19-2021

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Congratulations to our beloved Father José Antonio juya On the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the holy priesthood Your parish family at St. Michael offers our sincere gratitude for your devoted service and dedication.

La familia de la parroquia St. Michael Le ofrece su sincero agradecimiento por su servicio y dedicación.

Dios lo bendiga

God Bless you

Felicitaciones a nuestro querido Padre José Antonio juya En el 40° aniversario de su ordenación al santo sacerdocio

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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34 deacons celebrate jubilee anniversaries In preparation for ordination each man who would be a permanent deacon makes a canonical retreat and offers a solemn Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith.

This is their final step toward receiving the grace of ordination. For on their day of ordination, their lives will change as well as the lives of the many people they will encounter in their ministry.

And yes, as years advance, each permanent deacon grows in appreciation for the loving support of their wives and families, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the wise counsel of their pastor, and especially their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, she becomes their teacher. She is their: n Teacher of Faith – teaching them to hear the Word and to proclaim it faithfully. n Teacher of Charity – teaching them to give themselves totally to the service of the People of God. n Teacher of Prayer – teaching them to come to know the value of prayer. n Teacher of Humility – teaching them the greatness of being the least of all. n Teacher of that Service which is hidden – teaching them the joy of serving the Church with an ardent love.

In their devotion to Mary and through the sanctifying grace of God, the following permanent deacons bring the person of Jesus to all they serve. Today we celebrate with them the anniversary of their ordination and the giving of themselves to serve the Church of Charlotte.

40 YEARS

Deacon Clarke E. Cochran, 76, and his wife Anne relocated to North Carolina from Lubbock, Texas, in 2017. Deacon Cochran was ordained Feb. 14, 1981, for the Diocese of Amarillo, Texas. In 1983 he was incardinated into the newly established Diocese of Lubbock, where he was the first director of the permanent diaconate.

In his diaconal roles, he served for nearly 37 years at St. John Neumann Parish in Lubbock and was involved in the areas of social justice, preaching, teaching and liturgical service. As a retired deacon he remains active in similar ministries at St. Peter Church in Charlotte and teaches on the diocesan level within the candidate and deacon formation programs. Deacon Cochran and Anne live in Indian Trail, and in August they will celebrate 54 years of marriage.

35 YEARS

Deacon Jeffrey S. Evers, 78, was ordained for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., on May 3, 1986. He served at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Deer Park, N.Y., for many years after ordination. In 2000 he and his wife Barbara moved to North Carolina.

After serving for a time at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, he was assigned to St. Luke Church in Mint Hill, where after retirement in 2018, he still actively serves.

He and his wife Barbara have three children and seven grandchildren, and live in Matthews. They will celebrate 58 years of marriage this August.

Deacon H. Paul Herman, 84, was ordained for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., on June 28, 1986. He served at St. Theresa Parish in Trumbell, Conn., for 20 years. In

2007 he and his wife Elizabeth relocated to Charlotte, where he was assigned to St. Matthew Church. He was granted formal retirement in 2012 upon reaching the age of 75 and continues in limited ministry.

Deacon Herman’s wife Elizabeth passed away in 2017, just after they had celebrated 55 years of marriage. He still resides in Charlotte.

Deacon Darío García Ospina, 70, was ordained Nov. 30, 1986, in Pereira, Colombia, where for many years he helped in the formation of candidates for the permanent diaconate. In 2012 he was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and was appointed to serve the Hispanic community for the Hickory Vicariate. In this capacity he travels to many parishes, where he brings his own faith journey with him in ministering to groups and to individuals. He and his wife Adiela live in Statesville and will celebrate 47 years of marriage this December.

30 YEARS

Deacon Paul A, Liotard, 83, was ordained for the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., on May 25, 1991. After ordination he served at St. Mary Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J., and at Annunciation Parish in Wayne, N.J. He then served for three years in the Diocese of Scranton, at Saint Mary of the Mount Church in Mount Pocono, Pa. In 2006, he and his wife Rosemary relocated to North Carolina, where he served at Holy Angels Parish in Mount Airy before retiring from active ministry in 2011. Deacon Liotard and Rosemary live in Kernersville and will celebrate 62 years of marriage this November.

25 YEARS

Deacon Lawrence P. O’Toole, 80, was ordained for the Archdiocese of New York on June 1, 1996, by the late Cardinal John O’Connor. After ordination he served as the New York Medical College’s university chaplain, creating a parish-like campus community for students, and he was assigned to St. Augustine Church in New York City, his home for 30 years. He and his wife Judy now live in Indian Trail.

In 2011, he was assigned to St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, where in 2016 he retired and remains active. Deacon O’Toole and Judy have three daughters and five grandchildren, and have been married for 57 years.

20 YEARS

Deacon Scott D. Gilfillan, 63, was ordained June 23, 2001, for the Diocese of Charlotte and assigned to St. Joseph Church in Newton. In 2007, he was appointed assistant director of formation and then in 2011 as director of formation, where he served until 2019. Currently he is the director of the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory. Deacon Gilfillan and his wife Kimberly live in Catawba and have been married for 39 years.

Deacon Pierre M. K’Briuh, 83, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 23, 2001. After ordination he was assigned to St. Mary Parish in Greensboro.

DEACONS, SEE PAGE 16B

“In Solidarity with our Priests” The North Carolina State Council Knights of Columbus Offers prayerful congratulations to Father Juan Miguel Sanchez Father Joseph Wasswa

Father Joseph Wasswa

Father Juan Miguel Sanchez

on their Ordination as Priests for the Diocese of Charlotte We also extend special congratulations to all Priests, Deacons and Religious who are celebrating their continued service to the Diocese of Charlotte. www.kofcnc.org

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 16B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

DEACONS FROM PAGE 15B

A native of Vietnam who became a naturalized citizen, he continues to assist at the parish with the Montagnard community even though he is formally retired. He and his wife Anna live in Greensboro and are celebrating 58 years of marriage this month.

Deacon David E. King, 73, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 23, 2001, and was assigned to Our Lady of the Highways Church in Thomasville. He was also assigned to ministry at Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point, a retirement and skilled care facility founded by the Poor Servants of the Mother of God. With a growing ministry at the facility, he was asked in 2007 to dedicate himself full-time to serving there. He lives in Thomasville.

Deacon R. Alexander Lyerly, 77, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 23, 2001. His first assignment was to St. Elizabeth Church in Boone. In 2006 Deacon Lyerly was assigned to St. Bernadette Church in Linville, where he served until retirement from active ministry in 2014. He is also a retired Chief District Court Judge for North Carolina.

Deacon Lyerly and his wife Brenda, who will celebrate 46 years of marriage this year, live in Banner Elk. Deacon James J. Mazur, 62, was ordained June 23, 2001, for the Diocese of Charlotte and was assigned to Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury. Since he was a practicing medical doctor and surgeon,

Deacon Mazur was also asked to support and serve local pro-life ministry efforts. He and his wife Colleen live near the church in Salisbury and will celebrate 30 years of marriage in July.

Deacon Mark D. Nash, 61, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 23, 2001, and was assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, where he was a member of the parish staff. In 2004 Deacon Nash helped establish a permanent diaconate endowment fund. He now serves Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville, and until recently worked for Catholic Charities. He and his wife Heidi, who will celebrate 36 years of marriage in December, live in Mill Spring.

Deacon Michael J. Zboyovski, 69, was ordained June 23, 2001, for the Diocese of Charlotte. After ordination he was assigned to St. Eugene Church in Asheville and serves in ministries such as RCIA, prison outreach and pastoral care to the sick and homebound. For the diocese, he serves as a RCIA commissioner and is the Asheville Regional Coordinator for deacons.

Deacon Zboyovski and his wife Jan, who will celebrate 44 years of marriage in December, live in Weaverville.

15 YEARS

Deacon Lee T. Levenson, 76, was ordained Sept. 9, 2006, for the Diocese of Palm Beach, Fla. After ordination he was assigned to St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Delray Beach, Fla. Upon arrival to North Carolina in 2015, he was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson, where he still serves.

He is involved in all aspects of parish life and leads the parish’s faith formation program. Deacon Levenson and his wife

Alice live in Deep Gap and have been married for 56 years.

Deacon John Szarek, 61, was ordained May 28, 2006, for the Archdiocese of Chicago. For the next 13 years he served St. Ansgar Parish in Hanover Park, Ill., with ministry to the homebound and to people in hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. He was also a diaconate council member. Since 2020, he has served at St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Sylva, where he is involved in those same ministries. He and his wife Susan live in Franklin and will celebrate 28 years of marriage in October.

Deacon James L. Atkinson, 80, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte and was assigned to Holy Spirit Parish in Denver, where he served for 11 years. In 2017 he and his wife Penny relocated to Irmo, S.C., in the Diocese of Charleston. Assigned to Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Chapin, S.C., he is a tribunal advocate, serves in RCIA ministry, and especially during this pandemic, serves homebound parishioners’ needs. Deacon Atkinson and Penny will celebrate 56 years of marriage in July.

Deacon David P. Boissey Sr., 66, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. After ordination he served Good Shepherd Mission in King, and in 2009 he was assigned to St. Benedict Church in Greensboro. Returning in 2014 to Good Shepherd, he now serves as the parish’s faith formation director and supports family life and outreach ministries. He has served on the Deacon Association Board. He and his wife Vicki, who have been married for 45 years, live in King.

Deacon Mark S. Diener, 66, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte.

He and his wife Kathy live in Charlotte, where his first assignment was to St. Gabriel Church. In 2012 he was appointed diocesan spiritual director of Cursillo, and he also served as spiritual advisor for Cursillo Region VII for six years. He now serves at St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte and is a tribunal advocate. He and Kathy will celebrate 42 years of marriage in August.

Deacon Walter J. Haarsgaard, 80, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. After ordination he was assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point, where he and his wife Margaret have been long-time members. In serving the parish, he is the director of faith formation and is a patient volunteer and chaplain for Piedmont Hospice. Deacon Haarsgaard and Margaret live in High Point and will celebrate 38 years of marriage in October.

Deacon Edward A. Konarski, 68, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte. Upon ordination, he was assigned to St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton, where he and his wife Cindy live. In 2012 he was appointed to a threeyear term to the diocesan board of Catholic Charities and named assistant director of candidate formation. He currently serves as director. He and Cindy will celebrate 40 years of marriage in November.

Deacon John T. Kopfle, 64, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. After ordination his assignment was to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Charlotte and to Hospital Ministry. He has served this DEACONS, SEE PAGE 17B

Congratulations Deacon Paul Herman and Deacon Daren Bitter

On the 35th anniversary of Deacon Paul Herman’s ordination and the 10th anniversary of Deacon Daren Bitter’s ordination, your St. Matthew parish family extends our sincere gratitude for your dedication and service.

St. Matthew Catholic Church Connected in Christ!

Moved by the Spirit!

The parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker in Newton wish Deacon Scott Gilfillan God’s blessings on the occasion of his 20th Anniversary of his ordination to the Permanent Diaconate.

May he continue to experience God’s blessings in all that he does for our parish and the Diocese of Charlotte.

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

DEACONS FROM PAGE 16B

parish for 15 years with ministry to those homebound, in hospitals and nursing homes always a main focus. For the diocese, he served as the regional director for Charlottearea deacons for nine years. He and his wife Nancy are active in diocesan events and have been married for 38 years.

Deacon Larry G. Lisk, 76, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte.

Since ordination, he has remained very involved with prison ministry, both at Central Prison with events in Raleigh and assisting with the Forsyth County Jail ministry. As an active retired deacon, he is assigned to St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro. He and his wife Mary, who live in Greensboro, will celebrate 54 years of marriage in September.

Deacon John A. Martino, 70, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. His first assignment was to Our Lady of the Angels Church in Marion and to Catholic Charities. Now assigned to St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton, he is active in prison ministry and volunteers as a hospital chaplain three days each month. He was assigned as director of the permanent diaconate in 2016. He and his wife Terri, who have been married for 51 years, live in Morganton.

Deacon Brian P. McNulty, 65, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte.

After ordination he was first assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte and to hospital ministry. Currently assigned

to St. Patrick Cathedral, he and Michelle are the parents of Father Paul McNulty, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville. Residents of Charlotte, Deacon McNulty and Michelle will celebrate 41 years of marriage this August.

Deacon Robert T. Murphy, 80, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. He was assigned after ordination to St. Mark Church in Huntersville, where he was active in Hispanic Ministry as well as general parish and outreach ministries. After 10 years of diaconal ministry, Deacon Murphy was granted retirement in 2016.

Deacon Murphy and his wife Angeles live in Huntersville, where they celebrated 58 years of marriage in March.

Deacon A. Stephen Pickett, 66, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte. After ordination he was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lenoir, where he still serves today. In February 2020 he presented the deacons’ continuing education session titled “Authentically African-American and Authentically Catholic.” He and his wife Deboriah live in Lenoir, and they will celebrate 31 years of marriage this November.

Deacon Kevin B. Williams, 63, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. After ordination he was appointed to Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Charlotte, where he currently serves as youth minister and RCIA director. In addition he was appointed to Airport Ministry, where he is still very active. In 2012 he was certified as a spiritual director. Deacon Williams and his wife Theresa live in Charlotte, and this month they are celebrating 43 years of marriage.

Father James Stuhrenberg Congratulations on your 15th Anniversary as a Priest With gratitude from the clergy, staff, and parishioners of Holy Family Catholic Church

10 YEARS

Deacon W. Dave Powers, 66, was ordained for the Diocese of Arlington, Va., on Jan. 15, 2011. In 2016, he and his wife Susan moved to Waxhaw. Now assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe, he serves in parish ministry, as tribunal advocate and director of faith formation. Incardinated into the Charlotte diocese in 2020, he serves on the Deacon Association Board and Diocesan Prison Ministry Committee.

Deacon Powers and his wife Susan will celebrate 35 years of marriage in October.

Deacon Enedino S. Aquino, 63, was ordained Jan. 29, 2011, for the Diocese of Charlotte. His assignment after being ordained was to Hispanic Ministry within the Greensboro Vicariate. As he continues this very active role, he performs baptisms and ministers to groups and individuals in support of their faith as families. Deacon Aquino and his wife Maria Luisa live in Asheboro, and they will celebrate 46 years of marriage this November.

Deacon Daren S. Bitter, 54, was ordained Jan. 29, 2011, for the Diocese of Charlotte and has served at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte since then. As part of his ministry, he actively supports the Missionaries of the Poor and has led several mission trips to Haiti. He is a Catholic Relief Services Global Fellow and is a knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Deacon Bitter and his wife Michelle live in Charlotte and will celebrate 27 years of marriage in August.

Deacon Michael Martini, 59, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on Jan. 29, 2011. After ordination he was assigned to St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro,

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where he still serves. In 2016 he was appointed diocesan spiritual advisor for Cursillo and in 2019 he became the spiritual advisor for National Cursillo Region VII. He continues to serve in both roles.

Deacon Martini and his wife Christina will celebrate 34 years of marriage this August.

Deacon David S. Reiser, 71, was ordained Jan. 29, 2011, for the Diocese of Charlotte.

Since ordination he has been assigned to Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Charlotte, where he serves in family life and outreach ministries and is the parish’s business manager. In June he was appointed executive director and chaplain of Airport Ministry, a ministry he has served for many years. Deacon Reiser and his wife Maria live in Charlotte and will celebrate 36 years of marriage in October.

Deacon Martin Ricart III, 58, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on Jan. 29, 2011.

He and his wife Milly reside in Harrisburg.

Upon ordination he was assigned to St. James Church in Concord, and in 2016 he was assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, where he currently serves. In addition, since 2015 he has served as Catholic Scouting advisor for the diocese.

Deacon Ricart and his wife Milly will celebrate 24 years of marriage in November.

Deacon William H. Wilson, 59, was ordained Jan. 29, 2011, for the Diocese of Charlotte. After ordination Deacon Wilson was assigned to Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, where he and his wife Therese are members. He is a minister of the Word, supports all liturgical ministries, serves parish family life and outreach programs, and is a tribunal advocate.

Residents of Belmont, he and Terri will celebrate 24 years of marriage in November.

The Staff and Parishioners of St. Vincent de Paul congratulate

Father Joshua A. Voitus on his 10 years of priestly ministry.

Ad Multos Annos!

catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 18B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

St. Pius the Tenth Catholic Parish Celebrates

Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of his Ordination

No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God. Hebrews 5:4

2210 North Elm Street . Greensboro, North Carolina . 27408 . www.stpiusxnc.com

St. Barnabas Catholic Church Wishes to Congratulate

The Very Rev. Adrian Porras, V.F. th

On the 20 Anniversary of his Ordination December 15, 2001

Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many-colored tapestry of God's grace.

- 1 Peter 4:10 -

June 18, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Called By God… Supported By You In the academic year just ended, we have been blessed to have 41 seminarians – 14 men in major seminaries in Ohio and Rome and 27 at St. Joseph College Seminary – who are discerning God’s call to serve you as priests in the Diocese of Charlotte. Your prayers and financial assistance pay for a portion of tuition, room & board that will help assure the diocese of having priests to shepherd the Catholic population in western North Carolina for years to come.

Joseph Wasswa and Juan Miguel Sanchez are to be ordained as priests for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 19, 2021

Please invest in the lives and ministry of our future priests.

Make Your Gift Today!

Online: Donate securely online at: charlottediocese.org/donate, then click on Seminarian Education Campaign

By Mail: SSeminarian Education Campaign 1123 South Church Street – Charlotte, NC 28203

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 18, 2021 20B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD