Jan. 1, 2021

January 1, 2021

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Former Capuchin priest Yurgel accused of abuse in new lawsuit 3

Pray for an end to abortion March for Life Charlotte to be held Jan. 8

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Contact us.....................................4 Español......................................... 9-11 Online Masses...............................4 Our Faith........................................2 Our Parishes............................ 3-8 Scripture readings.......................2 TV & Movies................................. 16 U.S. news.................................18-19 Viewpoints.............................22-23 World news............................ 20-21

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An ‘intentional’ Christmas Bishop Jugis: True meaning of Christmas is sharing the love of Jesus Christ

6-7

‘It all comes back to Jesus’

2020 Year in Review

Bishop Jugis commemorates Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Jan. 1

Responding in faith to a challenging year

3

12-15

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | January 1, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope Francis

Gratitude leads to much-needed hope, joy

T

he gratitude that comes from encountering Christ’s love and mercy is enough to bring joy and hope to a troubled world, Pope Francis said.

“If we are bearers of gratitude, the world itself will become better, even if only a little bit, but that is enough to transmit a bit of hope,” the pope said Dec. 30 during his weekly general audience. “The world is in need of hope, and with gratitude – with this attitude of thanksgiving – we can transmit a bit of hope,” he said.

At the audience, livestreamed from the library of the Apostolic Palace, the pope continued his series of talks on prayer, reflecting on prayers of thanksgiving as exemplified in the Gospel story of the 10 lepers healed by Jesus.

After the lepers cry out for mercy, Jesus healed them and sent them to the high priests to verify their healing.

However, the pope noted, only one returned “to thank Jesus and to praise God for the grace received.”

“This narrative divides the world in two,” the pope said. There are “those who do not give thanks and those who do; those who take everything as if it were owed them and those who welcome everything as a gift, as grace.”

Prayers of thanksgiving, he continued, begin with the recognition that “grace precedes us” and the knowledge that “we were loved before we learned how to love.”

“If we view life like this, then ‘thank you’ becomes the driving force of our day,” the pope said. “And many times, we forget to say ‘thank you.’”

Christians also experience gratitude when participating in the Eucharist and blessing God “for the gift of life,” he added.

“To live is above all to have received,” he said. “All of us are born because someone wanted us to have life. And this is only the first of a long series of debts that we incur by living; debts of gratitude.”

Continuing his reflection on the story of the lepers, the pope said that while all of them experienced joy after being healed, the one who returned to give thanks received an “additional joy” that only comes from an encounter with Jesus.

“He is not only freed from illness, but he now possesses the certainty of being loved,” the pope said. “And this is the nucleus: when you give thanks, you express the certainty of being loved.

This is a big step: to have the certainty of being loved.”

He urged Christians not only to experience “the joy of encountering Jesus” but also to “cultivate joyfulness,” which is a gift of Jesus. The devil, on the other hand, “after deceiving us with some temptation, leaves us sad and alone.”

“If we are in Christ, there is no sin and no threat that can ever prevent us from continuing joyfully on our way.”

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: A woman of firsts

Faith Fact

Feast day: Jan. 4 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was the foundress and first superior of the Sisters of Charity in the United States, and the foundress of the first Catholic girls’ school in the nation. She was also the first person born in what would become the United States to be canonized by the Catholic Church.

She was born to Episcopalian parents into New York City high society on Aug. 28, 1774.

Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley, was the first professor of anatomy at Columbia College and praised for his work as the health officer of the Port of New York. Her mother, Catherine Charlton, daughter of an Anglican minister of Staten Island, N.Y., died when Elizabeth was 3 years old, leaving her and two other young daughters.

Elizabeth was married on Jan. 25, 1794, in St. Paul’s Episcopalian Church to William Magee Seton. When his father died, they took over custody of William’s seven half-brothers and halfsisters, as well as the family’s importing business.

William fell into financial troubles, and later died of tuberculosis in Pisa, Italy, in December 1803 while attempting to get help from his business friends. After getting to know the Catholic Church in Italy, Elizabeth fasted and prayed for light.

Finally, on Ash Wednesday, March 14, 1805, she was received into the Church.

Her conversion unleashed a storm among her Protestant relatives and friends and made her financial strains even greater. In January 1806, Cecilia Seton, Elizabeth’s young sister-in-law, became very ill and begged to see the ostracized convert and told her of her desire to become a Catholic. When Cecilia’s decision was known, threats were made to have Mrs. Seton expelled from the state by the Legislature. On her recovery, Cecilia fled to Elizabeth for refuge and was received into the Church.

Elizabeth moved to Baltimore in 1808 and with the help of a Catholic convert, a farm was purchased two miles from Mount St. Mary’s College and Mrs. Seton took vows privately before Archbishop Carroll and her daughter Anna.

In 1810, Bishop Flaget was commissioned to obtain in France the rules of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. The rule, with some modifications, was approved by Archbishop Carroll in January 1812, and adopted. Mrs. Seton was elected superior against her will and in spite of the fact that she had also to care for her children. Many joined the community; including Mother Seton’s daughter, Anna, who died during

“The Virgin and Child with a Shoot of Olive,” by Andrea Previtali (c. 1515), on display in the National Gallery in London

Did you know?

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, also called Mother Seton, the first native-born American to be canonized by the Church.

her novitiate (March 12, 1812), but had been permitted to pronounce her vows on her deathbed.

Mother Seton and 18 sisters made their vows on July 19, 1813.

The third time she was elected superior in 1819, she protested that it was the “election of the dead,” but she lived for two years more, finally succumbing to a pulmonary infection. She died in Emmitsburg, Md., on Jan. 4, 1821.

In 1880 Cardinal Gibbons (then Archbishop) urged the steps be taken toward her canonization.

Elizabeth Ann Seton was beatified in 1963, and she was canonized on Sept. 14, 1975.

She is the patroness of Catholic schools and widows, as well as the State of Maryland.

— Catholic News Agency

The Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on Jan. 1 each year.

The title “Mother of God” goes back to the third or fourth century, but the Greek term Theotokos (“The God-bearer”) was officially consecrated as Catholic doctrine at the Council of Ephesus in 431, thus becoming the first Marian dogma. At the end of the Council of Ephesus, crowds of people marched through the streets shouting: “Praised be the Theotokos!”

This Catholic doctrine is based on the doctrine of Incarnation, as expressed

by St. Paul: “God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4).

In its chapter on Mary’s role in the Church, Vatican II’s dogmatic constitution “Lumen Gentium” (“Light of the People”) calls Mary “Mother of God” 12 times.

On this day the Church also celebrates the World Day of Peace, a tradition established by St. Paul VI and confirmed by St. John Paul II. — Catholic News Agency

Daily Scripture readings JAN. 3-9

Sunday (The Epiphany of the Lord): Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6, Matthew 2:1-12; Monday (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton): 1 John 3:22-4:6, Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25; Tuesday (St. John Neumann): 1 John 4:710, Mark 6:34-44; Wednesday (St. Andre Bessette): 1 John 4:11-18, Mark 6:45-52; Thursday (St. Raymond of Penyafort: 1 John 4:19-5:4, Luke 4:14-22a; Friday: 1 John 5:5-13, Luke 5:12-16; Saturday: 1 John 5:14-21, John 3:22-30

JAN. 10-16 Sunday (The Baptism of Our Lord): Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, Acts 10:34-38, Mark 1:7-11; Monday: Hebrews 1:1-6, Mark 1:14-20; Tuesday: Hebrews 2:5-12, Mark 1:21-28; Wednesday (St. Hilary): Hebrews 2:14-18, Mark 1:29-39; Thursday: Hebrews 3:7-14, Mark 1:40-45; Friday: Hebrews 4:1-5, 11, Mark 2:1-12; Saturday: Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 2:13-17

JAN. 17-23

Sunday: 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19, 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20, John 1:35-42; Monday: Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 2:18-22; Tuesday: Hebrews 6:10-20, Mark 2:23-28; Wednesday (St. Fabian, St. Sebastian): Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17, Mark 3:1-6; Thursday (St. Agnes): Hebrews 7:25-8:6, Mark 3:7-12; Friday (Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children): Hebrews 8:6-13, Mark 3:1319; Saturday (St. Vincent, St. Marianne Cope): Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14, Mark 3:20-21

Our parishes

January 1, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

‘It all comes back to Jesus’ Bishop Jugis commemorates Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Jan. 1 SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Recalling that on the eighth day after the birth of Christ, St. Joseph pronounced Jesus’ name publicly for the first time, Bishop Peter Jugis reminded those gathered at St. Patrick Cathedral for Mass Jan. 1 that Our Lady’s distinction as the Mother of God and our bearing the name of Christians is “all because of Jesus.”

“On the eighth day after the Child is born, the holy name of Jesus is given to the baby boy born of Mary.

That is what we are commemorating on this, the eighth day of Christmas – a very significant event in the life of Jesus according to Jewish law,” Bishop Jugis explained during his homily at the reduced-capacity Mass, streamed live from the cathedral for the people of the Diocese of Charlotte. (Jan. 1 is normally a holy day of obligation, but the obligation to attend Mass in person continues to remain lifted by the bishop.)

It was on the eighth day after Jesus was born that St. Joseph gave Him the name that the angel had given Him before He was conceived.

In his homily, Bishop Jugis recalled that during that Jewish religious ceremony, Jesus was brought into God’s covenant with Israel.

He also noted, “It is because of Jesus that Mary has the title Mother of God. If there were no Jesus, there would be no reason for the title Mother of God.” And, he continued, “it is because of Jesus that St. Joseph has his vocation as (Jesus’) foster father.”

“It all comes back to Jesus. It is all dependent on Jesus.”

“The Blessed Mother and St. Joseph have the extreme privilege given them by God of welcoming Jesus into the world and raising Him to adulthood. What an immense honor God bestowed upon them!”

And, Bishop Jugis continued, “What a tremendous honor God has bestowed upon us. It is also because of Jesus we bear the name Christian… Our name as a people takes its name from Christ: ‘Christian.’ We are known in this life as followers of Jesus the Savior.”

The name Jesus means “God saves,” he said.

“Just as St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother took on great responsibility, so also we – as Christians, bearing His name – take on a great responsibility of living our daily lives in faithful witness to that name that we bear.”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JAMES SARKIS Bishop Jugis encouraged people to pronounce the name Bishop Peter Jugis celebrates a livestreamed Mass Jan. 1 for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy of Jesus as a blessing over their families for the New Mother of God, from St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte for the people of the diocese.

Year, drawing from the ancient prayer: “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you kindly and give this New Year with that blessing from the Lord – along with St. you peace. So shall you invoke My name and I will bless them.”

Joseph, (and) along with our Blessed Mother, the Mother of God – At the conclusion of his homily, Bishop Jugis said, “Let us begin pronouncing that most holy name, Jesus.”

Bishop Jugis encourages families to keep God at the center of family life PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

CHARLOTTE — On the Feast of the Holy Family, Bishop Peter Jugis prayed for “God’s blessing upon all of our families – that God will keep our families strong in faith and united in love.”

During his homily for Mass Dec. 27 at St. Patrick Cathedral, Bishop Jugis reflected on the mystery of the Son of God becoming man and growing up in a family home, choosing to live among us as fully human.

“He truly became one of us in all things but sin and experienced life in a family,” the bishop said. “He’s the Son of God, He rules the entire universe, and yet He decides to submit Himself to the authority

of His foster father, St. Joseph, and of His mother, the Blessed Virgin.”

“What a mystery! God became man,” the bishop said, shaking his head in wonder.

The Gospel reading of the day (Luke 2:22-40) also notes that religion was at the center of the Holy Family’s daily life, the bishop continued.

“The Holy Family sets an example for us to imitate: to make sure that religion is the center of our family life also,” he said.

“God is first, keeping the family united in His grace and love to provide a strong foundation for the family.”

Praying together with and for each other is important for a wholesome and peaceful family life, he said.

If God is first in the family, then

family life exudes the Christian virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, thankfulness, and living together in love and peace – just as St. Paul describes in his letter to the Colossians (Col 3:12-21).

“All of these Christian virtues give a powerful witness to the fact that Christ is present in that family,” he said.

Bishop Jugis concluded, “On this day that we celebrate the Holy Family of Nazareth, Jesus, Mary and Joseph – (and) Jesus deciding to grow to manhood in a family home, just like any of us – let us thank God for the family that He has given to each one of us, and let us all do our part to build up our own family in God’s love so that we may live in peace with one another.”

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Former Capuchin priest Yurgel accused of abuse in new lawsuit CHARLOTTE — Former Capuchin Franciscan priest Robert Yurgel, who was dismissed from his religious order and removed from the priesthood in 2010, has been accused by a second man of child sexual abuse in the late 1990s while Yurgel served as a parochial vicar in the Diocese of Charlotte.

A California man, now 28, alleges in a civil lawsuit that Yurgel abused him at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte when the man was about 5 to 7 years old.

Yurgel was assigned by his New Jerseybased religious order to work in the Charlotte diocese from 1997 to 1999.

The lawsuit was filed Dec. 14, 2020, in Mecklenburg County Superior Court against Yurgel, the Diocese of Charlotte, and Yurgel’s former religious order, the Capuchin Franciscans’ Province of the Sacred Stigmata of St. Francis in Union City, N.J. In a Dec. 22 statement to the Catholic News Herald, the diocese said it was reviewing the complaint and that attorneys for the claimant informed the diocese that the allegation had also been reported to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office. Public records show no charges have been filed.

Yurgel served more than seven years in prison after a Charlotte man reported to police in 2008 that Yurgel had sexually abused him as a teen in the late 1990s at St. Matthew Church. The diocese has previously said it became aware of that allegation in 2008 when Yurgel was arrested in New Jersey, where he had been assigned by his religious order.

Yurgel’s criminal case was widely publicized in local media, including the Catholic News Herald, and a civil lawsuit filed by the victim against Yurgel, the Capuchin Franciscans and the Charlotte diocese was settled in 2010. Yurgel’s name was included on a historical list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse published by the diocese in 2019 (online at accountability. charlottediocese.org).

The new suit does not detail the alleged abuse of the second claimant and primarily recounts the allegations of the previous victim’s claim. The suit states only that Yurgel “abused plaintiff during his tenure…on several occasions at St. Matthew,” and contends the diocese and the Capuchin Franciscans were negligent in supervising Yurgel.

In its statement, the diocese said it “takes all allegations of child sexual abuse seriously no matter when they might have occurred and continues to encourage anyone who has information about possible abuse to report it to police.”

The diocese has had formal policies and procedures in place to protect against abuse and other inappropriate contact with youth by clergy, Church LAWSUIT, SEE PAGE 17

Online Masses 4

catholicnewsherald.com | January 1, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

January 1, 2021 VOLUME 30 • NUMBER 7

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

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

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

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

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

BELMONT ABBEY MONASTERY: 11 a.m. daily

GOOD SHEPHERD MISSION, KING

DIVINE REDEEMER CHURCH, BOONVILLE: 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday

HOLY CROSS CHURCH, KERNERSVILLE

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH, KING: 11 a.m. English; 1:30 p.m. Spanish Sunday

HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, DENVER

HOLY INFANT CHURCH, REIDSVILLE: 9 a.m. Sunday

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, FOREST CITY

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

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, HIGH POINT

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

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

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.

OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION CHURCH, CHARLOTTE OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO

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

OUR LADY OF MERCY CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM

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

SACRED HEART CHURCH, SALISBURY

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

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH, LENOIR

ST. ANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Latin Mass) Sunday

ST. JOAN OF ARC CHURCH, CANDLER

ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, ARDEN: 11 a.m. Bilingual Sunday Mass

ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, ASHEBORO

ST. BASIL THE GREAT EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 11 a.m. Sunday

ST. GABRIEL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE

ST. LEO THE GREAT CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM ST. MARGARET MARY CHURCH, SWANNANOA

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM: 9 a.m. English; 2 p.m. Spanish

ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE

ST. DOROTHY CHURCH, LINCOLNTON: 9 a.m. Sunday

ST. MARY MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA

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

ST. MICHAEL CHURCH, GASTONIA

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

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

RECORDED MASSES

ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, CHARLOTTE ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, GREENSBORO ST. STEPHEN MISSION, ELKIN

ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8, 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday in English and 12 p.m. Sunday in Spanish

ST. STEPHEN MARONITE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CHURCH, WAYNESVILLE, AND IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MISSION, CANTON

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE

ST. LAWRENCE BASILICA, ASHEVILLE: 7:30 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. Sunday in English and 5 p.m. in Spanish.

ST. LUKE CHURCH, MINT HILL: 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday in English; 1 p.m. Sunday bilingual; 4:30 p.m. Sunday ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE: 7 and 9 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 7 a.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday in English, and 1 p.m. in Spanish ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 8 a.m. Sunday ST. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA: Noon Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 9 a.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m. Sunday in English and 7 p.m. Saturday in Spanish ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 12 p.m. daily; 9 a.m. Sunday ST. MICHAEL CHURCH, GASTONIA: 9 a.m. Sunday ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, CHARLOTTE: 11 p.m. Sunday ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday-Friday; 4:30 p.m. Saturday; 10:30 a.m. Sunday ST. PETER CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 11:30 a.m. Sunday ST. STEPHEN MISSION, ELKIN: 9 a.m. Sunday ST. THERESE CHURCH, MOORESVILLE: 9 a.m. weekdays, 5 p.m. Saturday 8, 10 a.m. and Noon on Sunday ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday’ 9:30 a.m., Sunday; ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 10 a.m. daily, 10 a.m. Sunday in English and 2 p.m. Sunday in Spanish

ST. THERESE CHURCH, MOORESVILLE

EN ESPAÑOL OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8 a.m. domingo; 7:30 p.m. martes; 12 p.m. miércoles, jueves y viernes OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH, CHARLOTTE OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH, MONROE SACRED HEART CHURCH, SALISBURY: 12:30 p.m. Domingo ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM: 1:30 p.m. Domingo ST. DOROTHY CHURCH, LINCOLNTON: 12 p.m. Domingo ST. EUGENE CHURCH, ASHEVILLE: 7:30 a.m. Domingo ST. JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH, CONCORD ST. JOAN OF ARC CHURCH, CANDLER ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 12 p.m. Domingo ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, ASHEBORO ST. LAWRENCE BASILICA, ASHEVILLE: 5 p.m. Domingo ST. LUKE CHURCH, MINT HILL: 1 p.m. Domingo ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE: 1 p.m. Domingo ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 11 a.m. Domingo ST. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA: 7 p.m. Sabado ST. THERESE CHURCH: 2:30 p.m. Domingo VIETNAMESE ST. JOSEPH VIETNAMESE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 9:30 a.m. Sunday LATIN ST. ANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 12:30 p.m. Sunday OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 1 p.m. Sunday ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 12:15 and 7 p.m. Thursday

January 1, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

5

MARCH FOR LIFE 2021 ‘Together Strong: Life Unites’ March for Life in D.C. WASHINGTON, D.C. — The March for Life Education and Defense Fund has announced the details for the 2021 March for Life to be held on Friday, Jan. 29.

“Together Strong: Life Unites” will be the theme of the annual march, which highlights the critical role each person plays in building a culture of life.

A Mass for pro-life advocates from North Carolina will be celebrated at the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of the Catholic University of America at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29. Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, will serve as principal celebrant. Basilica capacity will be very limited and participants are urged to follow measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including face coverings, social distancing and handwashing.

The “Together Strong: Life Unites.” March for Life events will begin with a rally at noon on the National Mall, which will be followed at 1 p.m. by a march to the U.S. Supreme Court to hear testimony from women who regret their abortion.

Other D.C. March for Life events

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Every January, pro-life advocates take part in the March for Life Charlotte. This year’s march will take place Friday, Jan. 8, and all are welcome to participate.

Pray for an end to abortion

W. 5TH ST.

March for Life to be held in Charlotte Jan. 8

INDEPENDENCE SQUARE W. TRADE ST.

JOHN BELK FWY.

N ST.

After the address and testimonies by local W. 4TH ST. representatives from the national Silent No More Campaign, the rosary and the Chaplet W. 3RD ST. of Divine Mercy will be prayed.

See all scheduled details at www. marchforlifecharlotte.org.

For inquiries, contact Tina Witt ST. PETER CHURCH with March for Life Charlotte at W. 1ST ST. marchforlifecharlotte@windstream. net or at 704-301-2531.

W. STONEWALL — SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

TRYO

CHARLOTTE — The 15th annual March for Life Charlotte will be held Friday, Jan. 8, to mark the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion. The annual march and Mass are meant to be a time of prayer to call attention to the more than 61 million lives lost to abortion since 1973, and the need to end the tragedy of abortion.

The Mass for the Unborn will be offered at 9 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, located at 6828 Old Reid Road in Charlotte.

The 15th annual March for Life Charlotte will begin at noon outside the Diocese of Charlotte Pastoral Center, located at 1123 S. Church St. in uptown Charlotte. Marchers may gather in the parking lot starting at 11 a.m. The march will proceed from the Pastoral Center to Independence Square, at the corner of Trade and Tryon streets.

All march events will take place at Independence Square this year.

Father Noah Carter, pastor of Holy Cross Church in Kernersville, will deliver the keynote address.

W. MOREHEAD W. CARSON

DIOCESAN PASTORAL CENTER

LYNX STATION CARSON BLVD.

n A Youth Rally and Mass for Life hosted by the Archdiocese of Washington on Jan. 29 will be a virtual event this year. The online event will be held from 8:30 to 11 a.m. For more information and to register, go online to www. youthrallyandmassforlife.org. n The Paulus Institute for the Propagation of Sacred Liturgy, Washington, D.C., will hold the Eighth Annual Nellie Gray Mass Jan. 29, immediately after the March for Life, at 4 p.m. The Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form (traditional Latin Mass) will be offered at St. Mary Mother of God Church at 5th and H Sts. N.W. in downtown Washington, D.C. Attendance may be limited due to local restrictions. For more information, contact Paul King at pn308king@gmail.com.

Events in the Diocese of Raleigh The Diocese of Raleigh will host N.C. March for Life events on Saturday, Jan. 16, at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh.

Events begin with a diocesan Mass for Life celebrated at the cathedral at 11 a.m.

The N.C. Rally for Life will begin at 1 p.m. at the Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, followed by the North Carolina March for Life at 2 p.m.

For details, go to www. dioceseofraleigh.org.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

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catholicnewsherald.com | January 1, 2021 OUR PARISHES

An intentional Christmas C

elebrations of the birth of Christ looked and felt different this year, but nonetheless Catholics across the Diocese of Charlotte marked the holy season with joy. Priests offered more Masses – indoors, outdoors and live online – to welcome as many worshipers as possible.

Churches arranged reservations to ensure Mass attendance was capped at a safe number and people were spaced apart in the pews. People went out of their way to greet one another and offer prayers for others’ health and wellbeing.

In his Christmas message, Father Casey Coleman, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro, echoed the sentiments of many this Christmas – and 2020 in general: “During this time of pandemic we are being reminded that the

practice of our faith needs to be intentional and is not a matter of convenience. We need to maintain patience and charity in all circumstances toward one another, mutually building each other up through prayer and kindness within our parish family, the Catholic Church, amongst fellow Christians, and most especially with those who are not Christian. If we do, we will grow not just in number, but most importantly in these difficult times we will grow in Faith, Hope, and Love.”

Social media has become a valuable tool for maintaining human connectedness despite the isolation imposed by the pandemic, and many people went online to express concern for others in need and gratitude for their faith.

Parishioner Mary De La Fuente wrote on St. Barnabas

Church’s Facebook page, “Christmas can’t be canceled.

Christmas can never be canceled – not by presidents or governors, prime ministers or politicians. Christmas, after all, is the celebration of the birth of Emmanuel, God joining himself to suffering humanity as a tiny and vulnerable baby 2,000 years ago in a humble manger in Bethlehem.

And nothing can ever ‘cancel’ the hope and excitement that Christian believers experience every year as they celebrate the earthly arrival of Jesus. So while our Christmas celebrations this year might be different than in the past, they should be as joyful as ever, bringing us the true peace that can only come from the Christ Child.”

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor Children at St. Mark Preschool in Huntersville took part in a Christmas Pageant that was videotaped and posted on YouTube for parents to watch.

Each of the choir groups was recorded separately so that they could be safely distanced from the other classrooms.

Before their performances, Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church, read to the children. In the Nativity scene (far left), the innkeeper is Sawyer Guzman, Mary is Mila McDonald, Joseph is Will Keegan, the Angel Gabriel is Everly Guzman, the Angel Star is Marie Aiello, King Herod is Matthew Burkett, and the Wisemen are Tristan Swanson, Brielle Nelson and Isaac Campbell.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

BY AMY BURGER

Holy Angels in Belmont celebrated its 65th anniversary with a special “night of light” Dec. 20, featuring a drive-through Nativity scene and inspirational luminary display to honor and remember those who made an impact in our lives. Holy Angels’ residents had roles in the live progressive Nativity scene, dressing in outfits and costumes to help tell the narrated story of Christ’s birth.

The nighttime event drew more than 1,000 people.

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

Snowfall made St. Joseph Church in Bryson City look even more beautiful at Christmas.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

BY SHAWN FLYNN

January 1, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

7

BISHOP JUGIS PREACHES AT CHRISTMAS MIDNIGHT MASS:

True meaning of Christmas is love of Jesus Christ ‘God the Father gave the world the gift of His Son, and that is the greatest gift that we can give to others. To live and to practice our faith, and to bring the love of Christ to others.’

Bishop Peter Jugis

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

CHARLOTTE — The true meaning of Christmas is found in the love of Jesus Christ, Bishop Peter Jugis preached to a reducedcapacity congregation during Midnight Mass.

St. Patrick Cathedral, like many other churches across the Diocese of Charlotte, offered joyous yet subdued Christmas services Dec. 24-25 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health precautions in place to reduce the spread of the coronavirus included lowered in-person Mass attendance and livestreamed Masses for those unable to attend in person.

At the cathedral’s traditional Mass at Midnight on Dec. 25, a little over 100 people who had registered in advance sat socially distanced from each other in the pews, while hundreds more watched the Mass streamed live on YouTube. The festive poinsettias and greenery adorning the cathedral contrasted with the sparse congregation, face coverings and hand sanitizing stations.

Bishop Jugis blessed those present and watching via the livestream and told them they had “come to the right place” to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

The meaning of Christmas is found in the word itself, he said. “The true meaning of

Christmas is Jesus. It’s just that simple. A simple word, one word: the name of the Son of God.” Yet, he continued, “the world searches and searches and searches for the true meaning of Christmas.”

Social media “chatter,” he said, tells us “the true meaning of Christmas is family. The true meaning of Christmas is friends. Smiles, health, wellbeing and joy.”

He then recalled the words of St. Augustine: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” He continued, “That describes the world perfectly – restlessly searching for a way to give a secular meaning to Christmas without reference to Jesus.”

“Without Jesus,” Bishop Jugis said, “all you are left with is a ‘happy holiday’ – but not Christmas.”

He encouraged people to demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas by sharing the love of Christ with others.

“God the Father gave the world the gift of His Son, and that is the greatest gift that we can give to others,” he said. “To live and to practice our faith, and to bring the love of Christ to others.”

In a greeting to all those present and watching from around the diocese, Bishop

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter Jugis celebrated a reduced-capacity Christmas Midnight Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral that was also streamed live online for the people of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Jugis said, “My very best wishes to all of you as we celebrate the great feast of Christmas.

May Christ bless you and your families with His peace and love this day and always.”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Watch video of the Midnight Mass including Bishop Jugis’ complete homily for Christmas

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte continued its Christmas tradition of delivering meals to people in need around the Charlotte area. Entrees were prepared by Waiter’s Choice Catering, and parish volunteers packaged the entrees with bread, desserts and utensils before boxing up the meals and putting them into cars for delivery.

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

The Panduro family was among many parishioners at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte who donated and delivered buckets of holiday cheer before Christmas to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, in thanks for their daily sacrifices to protect and serve the community.

A scene from Christmas Mass offered

by Father Richard Sutter, pastor, at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

A beautiful Nativity scene was set up in the narthex before Christmas at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro.

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

El grupo de oración ‘Misioneros de la Sagrada Familia’, publicó en su página de Facebook esta foto del hermoso nacimiento que colocó en sus jardines la Iglesia Santa María en Greensboro.

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

Sacred Heart Church in Brevard was decorated for Christmas by some talented volunteers.

8

catholicnewsherald.com | January 1, 2021 OUR PARISHES

Sister Regis McNulty passes away, aged 92 St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. — Providence Sister Regis McNulty died Dec. 4, 2020, in Terre Haute, Ind. She was 92.

Dorothy Marie McNulty was born on Sept. 10, 1928, in Chelsea, Mass., to James and Mary Loemen McNulty.

She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on Feb. 11, 1948, and professed final vows Aug. 15, 1955, taking the religious name Sister Regis.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and master’s degrees from Boston College and Antioch University in Keene, N.H. McNulty During her 72 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education for 28 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. In North Carolina, she served at Charlotte Catholic High School (1972-’73) and was principal at St. Joan of Arc School in Asheville (1973-’74).

Having earned certification as a counselor, she served for 20 years as a therapist and clinical supervisor at Beech Hill Hospital in Dublin, N.H. After retiring, she remained in New Hampshire

and served as a consultant for the hospital and an adjunct professor for Antioch University. In 2012 she returned to the Motherhouse, where she served her sisters in a variety of ways.

Beginning in 2015, she committed herself totally to the ministry of prayer.

Sister Regis lived her life with great energy. A woman of deep compassion, she cared greatly for others and formed lasting friendships. Fun-loving and gifted with a great sense of humor, when she was part of a group, everyone had a good time.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Connie Hanley, and a brother, Raymond McNulty.

She is survived by nieces and nephews.

Due to pandemic restrictions, her wake and funeral were held privately on Dec. 17, 2020.

Burial followed at the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876. One may share or read memories of Sister Regis on the Sister of Providence’s website, www.spsmw.org/category/ obituaries.

DeBaun Funeral Homes and Crematory was in charge of the arrangements.

— Catholic News Herald

Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation announces $1 million in grants to 25 organizations BELMONT — The Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation recently awarded grants totaling $1,087,700 to 25 non-profit organizations.

Grants were awarded to organizations in the areas of education, health care and social services, and award recipients spanned 11 counties: Avery, Buncombe, Catawba, Cleveland, Franklin, Gaston, Henderson, Mecklenburg, Union and Watauga counties in North Carolina, and York County, S.C. The following organizations received awards:

EDUCATION

Dominican Sister Florence Gavin passes away SINSINAWA, Wis. — Dominican Sister Florence Gavin died Dec. 8, 2020, at St. Dominic Villa in Hazel Green, Wis. Her religious name was Sister Petra.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Dominican motherhouse in Sinsinawa on Dec. 18, 2020, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.

Sister Florence made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa on Aug. 5, 1950, and her perpetual profession on Aug. 5, 1953. She taught for 30 years and served as director of religious education for four years, nurse aid for two years, and pastoral care person for Gavin seven years. Sister Florence guided people who wanted to grow in their spiritual lives for five years. She was generous to all in her gentle attention to God’s path as each life unfolded in her presence.

In the Diocese of Charlotte, Sister Florence guided people in their spiritual lives at St. Jude

Seminarians instituted as lectors CHARLOTTE — Diocese of Charlotte seminarians (from left) Christopher Brock, Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu and Peter Rusciolelli were instituted as lectors by Bishop Peter Jugis during a special Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral Dec. 19. Now a lay ministry, the role of lector (or reader) used to be a minor order in the Church and it continues to be an important step in preparing for ordination as a priest or deacon.

The ministry is typically conferred on seminarians while they are away at major seminary, but the pandemic forced a change this year and the three were able to mark the occasion back home in the Charlotte diocese, where their families, brothers seminarians, and clergy could attend.

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Parish in Sapphire Valley and Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Highlands from 1990-1991.

Besides North Carolina, Sister Florence served in Illinois, the District of Columbia, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, California, Iowa, Alabama, South Carolina, Hawaii and Tennessee, as well as Cochabamba, Bolivia.

She was born May 13, 1929, in Lake Geneva, Wis., the daughter of Paul and Blanche (Robinson) Gavin.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Helena Gavin; and four brothers, Robert Gavin, G. Thomas Gavin, Paul Gavin and A. Peter Gavin.

She is survived by nieces, nephews and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 70 years of religious life.

Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or at www.sinsinawa.org/donate online.

A repeat broadcast of the funeral for Sister Florence is available online at www.sinsinawa.org/ live. Click on the “on demand” tab.

— Catholic News Herald

n Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County, Hendersonville: $40,000 for general operating support n CrossRoads Corporation for Affordable Housing & Community Development, Charlotte: $25,000 for operating support to provide academic and social emotional supports to middle school students from Grier Heights and Alexander Graham Middle School n United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County Inc.: $55,000 to provide salaries and benefits of Community Schools Coordinators n Western Youth Network Inc., Boone: $35,000 to support the Mentoring Program

HEALTH CARE

n All Souls Counseling Center, Asheville: $45,000 to pay the contractual fees for licensed therapists n Community Care Clinic of Franklin: $24,700 to provide a portion of the contractual salaries of a case manager and clinician n Community Care Clinic Inc., Boone: $50,000 to provide a portion of the salary or contractual hours of a family nurse practitioner n Florence Crittenton Services, Charlotte: $50,000 to fund salaries for Maternity Program staff n York County First Steps, Rock Hill: $50,000 for salary, benefits and operating expenses of one nurse home visitor n York County Free Clinic, Rock Hill: $45,000 to provide the salary of a nurse practitioner

SOCIAL SERVICES

n Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, Charlotte: $50,000 for operating support contributing to staff salary, benefits and other costs n Charlotte Family Housing: $50,000 in operating support contributing to the salaries of

social workers n Children’s Attention Home Inc., Rock Hill: $50,000 for the salary and benefits of a mastersdegree level social worker n Cleveland County Community Development Corp., Shelby: $35,000 for the salary of one FTE HUD-certified housing counselor n Community Action Opportunities, Asheville: $40,000 to support the Life Works SelfSufficiency Program n Community Link, Charlotte: $60,000 to provide operating support for the Homeless to Housing and Asset Building programs n Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry Inc., Newton: $40,000 to fund the salary and benefits of a case manager n International House of Metrolina, Charlotte: $50,000 to provide operating support contributing to Immigration Law Clinic staff salaries n Loaves & Fishes, Charlotte: $48,000 for the salary of a social worker n Our Voice Inc., Asheville: $35,000 to provide salary and benefit support for the Project WestNC program director n Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center, Charlotte: $55,000 for the salary of one FTE family advocate/forensic interviewer n Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte Inc., Charlotte: $35,000 for emergency home repairs in the Lakeview neighborhood as a part of the Building A Healthy Neighborhood program n Renaissance West Community Initiative, Charlotte: $50,000 for salary and benefits of a Life Navigator n Turning Point Inc., Monroe: $45,000 to provide the salaries and benefits of a bilingual case manager and a domestic violence counselor n With Friends, Inc., Gastonia: $25,000 for the salary of a youth worker The Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation awards grants on behalf of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Mercy’s ministries are inspired by the legacy and commitment of their founder, Sister Catherine McAuley, to serve those who are poor, sick and uneducated.

Since 1996, the foundation has awarded 2,073 grants totaling more than $92.8 million to organizations assisting unserved or underserved populations in the areas of education, health care and social services.

— Anne Conradsen, Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation

FACEBOOK.COM/ CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD ESPAÑOL

January 1, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

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‘Todo vuelve a Jesus’ El Obispo Jugis conmemoró la Solemnidad de María, Santa Madre de Dios, el 1 de enero

Rafael Prieto

La nostalgia que llega con los años

L

a vejez es complicada. Aún más con la vaina del Covid-19.

Los tiempos de la piel de bronce dorada, con Australian Gold y Hawaiian Tropic, han dejado un legado de pecas y marcas imposibles de borrar en la cara y las manos.

Las libras de más que antes se eliminaban rápidamente con una dieta temporal de granos (menestra en mi adorado Ecuador), se resisten a desaparecer.

En las orejas y las cejas se empiezan a desarrollar unos cabellos que se transforman en gruesos alambres. Ese fenómeno obliga a aprender con paciencia la ciencia del depilador, los peines y las tijeras.

Los ojos que lograban descifrar la letra más diminuta a distancia, para la copialina y otros menesteres, ya no ven lo mismo y se requiere inundar de gafas todos los anaqueles y rincones de la casa. La operación lupa es “mandatoria”, como decimos los hispanohablantes de Estados Unidos.

Aquí en la tierra de libertad donde, con toda razón, en una emergencia parar en la autopista para orinar en un potrero está prohibido, unos pañales modelo calzoncillo se hacen indispensables cuando se hacen largas jornadas.

Uno tiene que estar pendiente diariamente del azúcar en la sangre, la presión arterial y los triglicéridos. Ahora, en tiempos de pandemia, la toma de temperatura se me ha convertido en obsesión.

Igual me ha dado, por razones sanitarias de prevención, mantener las fosas nasales repletas de Vick VapoRub, que me da el aspecto desagradable de tener mocos colgando perennemente. Un frasco repleto de cápsulas de Ricola para conservar la garganta limpia y fresca es mi compañía inseparable.

A mí se me dañaron las piernas después de mover unos pesados parales de unas carpas en la Coalición. Fue en la hermosa celebración novembrina de Panamá en 2018, pletórica de murgas, tambores y cumbias. Sentí un corrientazo que llegó a la columna vertebral. El asunto derivó en una ciática, que en mi absoluta cobardía de contender el dolor me lanzó a refugiarme en mi futón gris, y convertirme en un sedentario inmarcesible.

Mis sicólogos de cabecera siguen siendo Sabina, Serrat, el fallecido Aute, Ana Belén, Pablo, Silvio, Natalia, Ana y Jaime.

Mis héroes de la pubertad, la mayoría se han ido, Leonardo Fabio (‘Quiero aprender de memoria...’), Sandro (‘Por ese palpitar que tiene tu mirar’…), José José (‘Hay que ver cómo es el amor que vuelve a quien lo toma gavilán o paloma’…). La lista es interminable.

Los genes de mi madre me han protegido de desentejarme y quedar con la testa como una bola de billar. De la misma forma, la dentadura firme que heredé de ella, se mantiene bien.

Lo que no me legó mi madre es una fórmula para combatir la nostalgia. Ese duelo eterno por no haber permanecido en Paipa, mi pueblo querido, para evitar su metódica destrucción. Me hace falta estar con mi padre, que en su noveno piso de existencia se mantiene, bello, lúcido y entero como los urapanes del parque Jaime Rook.

Veo los árboles en mis recorridos frecuentes que hago con Google Maps, en los que me apabulla la tristeza. Tengo necesidad de abrazar a mi hermana menor y a Sonita. Quiero estar con mis hermanos extendidos, los Prieto Neira, los Prieto García y los LaRotta, que siempre están en mi corazón.

Quisiera encontrarme con mis primos franceses, los descendientes de Pablo Solano y Jeanne Vassas. Ir como intruso, como lo hacía de niño, y departir con Nathalie, Pablito y Quique, con el precioso lago Sochagota de panorámica. Disfrutar del cariño y el buen humor de la matrona de la familia.

RAFAEL PRIETO es un laureado y reconocido periodista colombiano en Estados Unidos.

Actualmente escribe para Qué Pasa Mi Gente en Charlotte.

SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

CHARLOTTE — Conmemorando que en el octavo día después del nacimiento de Cristo, San José pronunció públicamente el nombre de Jesús por primera vez, el Obispo Peter Jugis recordó a los reunidos en la Catedral San Patricio por la Misa del 1 de enero, la distinción de Nuestra Señora como Madre de Dios y que el llevar el nombre de cristianos es “todo por Jesús”.

“Al octavo día después del nacimiento del Niño, se le da el santo nombre de Jesús al niño nacido de María. Eso es lo que estamos conmemorando en este, el octavo día de Navidad, un evento muy significativo en la vida de Jesús según la ley judía”, explicó el Obispo Jugis durante su homilía en la Misa a capacidad reducida, transmitida ‘en vivo’ desde la catedral para los fieles de la Diócesis de Charlotte. (El 1 de enero es normalmente un día sagrado de obligación, pero el obispo continúa dispensando la obligación de asistir a Misa en persona).

Fue al octavo día después del nacimiento de Jesús que San José le dio el nombre que el ángel le había señalado antes que fuera concebido.

En su homilía, el Obispo Jugis recordó que durante esa ceremonia religiosa judía, Jesús fue incorporado al pacto de Dios con Israel.

También señaló que, “Es por Jesús que FOTO PROVISTA POR JAMES SARKIS María tiene el título de Madre de Dios. Si no El Obispo Peter Jugis celebró una Misa transmitida ‘en vivo’ por redes hubiera Jesús, no habría razón para el título sociales el 1 de enero, conmemorando la Solemnidad de María, Santa de Madre de Dios”. Continuó, “Es por Jesús Madre de Dios, desde la Catedral San Patricio en Charlotte, para los fieles que San José tiene su vocación como padre de la diócesis. adoptivo (de Jesús)”.

“Todo vuelve a Jesús. Todo depende de Jesús”. asumimos la gran responsabilidad de vivir nuestra “La Santísima Madre y San José tienen el vida diaria en fiel testimonio de ese nombre que privilegio extremo que Dios les dio de recibir a llevamos”.

Jesús en el mundo y elevarlo a la edad adulta. ¡Qué El Obispo Jugis animó a las personas a pronunciar inmenso honor les otorgó Dios!”. el nombre de Jesús como una bendición para sus Y, luego continuó, “Qué tremendo honor nos familias por el Nuevo Año, basándose en la antigua ha otorgado Dios. También es debido a Jesús que oración: “El Señor te bendiga y te guarde. Que el llevamos el nombre de cristianos ... Nuestro nombre rostro del Señor brille sobre ti y tenga piedad. El como pueblo toma su nombre de Cristo: ‘cristiano’.

Señor te mire con bondad y te dé paz. Entonces Somos conocidos en esta vida como seguidores de invocarás Mi nombre y yo los bendeciré”.

Jesús el Salvador”.

Al concluir su homilía, el Obispo Jugis dijo: El nombre Jesús significa “Dios salva”, señaló.

“Comencemos este Año Nuevo con esa bendición “Así como San José y la Santísima Madre del Señor, junto con San José, junto con nuestra asumieron una gran responsabilidad, así también Santísima Madre, la Madre de Dios, pronunciando nosotros, como cristianos, que llevamos Su nombre, ese santísimo nombre, Jesús”.

Ministerio Hispano ofreció saludo por fiestas decembrinas

Domínguez

CHARLOTTE — El Padre Julio Domínguez, a nombre del Obispo Peter Joseph Jugis; el canciller y vicario general, Padre Joseph Winslow; el equipo de coordinadores de vicariato y suyo propio, envió dos mensajes en video a la comunidad católica hispana de la Diócesis de Charlotte con motivo de la celebración de las fiestas de Navidad y Año Nuevo a través de redes sociales.

n El mensaje del 25 de diciembre lo puede encontrar en www.facebook.com/CNHEspañol y www.youtu.be/2izl3IClpQ n El saludo por Año Nuevo, publicado el 31 de diciembre, está disponible en la misma página de Facebook y en https://youtu.be/IBKvUydhfq0 El Padre Domínguez, director del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte, destacó los aspectos positivos de este difícil año y la esperanza de mejores tiempos para 2021.

— César Hurtado, reportero

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catholicnewsherald.com | January 1, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

El Obispo Peter Jugis celebró la Misa navideña de medianoche a capacidad reducida en la catedral San Patricio. La liturgia se transmitió ‘en vivo’ online para los fieles de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

El verdadero significado de la Navidad es el amor de Jesucristo, dijo el Obispo Jugis PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITORA

CHARLOTTE — El verdadero significado de la Navidad se encuentra en el amor de Jesucristo, dijo el Obispo Peter Jugis a una reducida congregación durante la Misa de Gallo.

La Catedral San Patricio, como muchas otras iglesias en la Diócesis de Charlotte, ofreció festivos pero sobrios servicios navideños del 24 al 25 de diciembre debido a la pandemia de COVID-19. Las precauciones de salud implementadas para reducir la propagación del coronavirus incluyeron la reducción de la asistencia presencial a Misas y la transmisión ‘en vivo’ para quienes no podían asistir en persona.

En la tradicional Misa de Gallo,

celebrada la medianoche del 24 de diciembre, poco más de 100 personas que se habían inscrito con anticipación se sentaron socialmente distanciadas, mientras que cientos vieron la misa transmitida ‘en vivo’ por YouTube. Los arreglos florales de Pascua contrastaban con la escasa congregación, cubiertas faciales y estaciones de desinfección de manos.

El Obispo Jugis bendijo a los presentes y espectadores de la transmisión. Les dijo que habían “venido al lugar correcto” para celebrar el verdadero significado de la Navidad.

El significado de la Navidad se encuentra en la palabra misma, dijo. “El verdadero significado de la Navidad es Jesús. Es así de simple. Una palabra simple, una palabra: el nombre del Hijo de Dios”.

Luego continuó, “el mundo busca y busca y busca el verdadero significado de la Navidad”.

Las redes sociales, dijo, nos dice que “el verdadero significado de la Navidad es la familia. El verdadero significado de la Navidad son los amigos. Sonrisas, salud, bienestar y alegría”.

Luego recordó las palabras de San Agustín: “Nos has hecho para ti, oh Señor, y nuestro corazón está inquieto hasta que descanse en Ti”.

Eso, señaló, “describe el mundo a la perfección: la búsqueda incansable de una manera de darle un significado secular a la Navidad sin hacer referencia a Jesús”.

“Sin Jesús”, dijo el Obispo Jugis, “todo lo que te queda son unas ‘felices fiestas’, pero no la Navidad”.

Animó a las personas a demostrar el

FE

verdadero significado de la Navidad al compartir el amor de Cristo con los demás.

“Dios Padre le dio al mundo el regalo de Su Hijo, y ese es el regalo más grande que podemos dar a los demás”, dijo. “Vivir, practicar nuestra fe y llevar el amor de Cristo a los demás”.

Saludando a los presentes y espectadores de toda la diócesis, el Obispo Jugis dijo: “Mis mejores deseos para todos ustedes en la celebración de la gran fiesta de Navidad. Que Cristo los bendiga a ustedes y sus familias, con Su paz y amor, hoy y siempre”.

Más online En www.catholicnewsherald.com: Vea un video de la misa y la homilía del obispo Jugis

FAMILIA

FRATERNIDAD

Caballeros de Colón

Considere unirse a los más de 2 millones de miembros de la organización fraternal católica más grande del mundo y registrándose en línea hoy en: www.kofc.org/es

January 1, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

11

Celebremos la adoración del Niño Dios El seis de enero, con la llegada de los Reyes Magos CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — Melchor, Gaspar y Baltazar, los tres reyes magos de Oriente que la tradición nos cuenta llegaron a celebrar el nacimiento de Jesús en Belén, son los símbolos de una arraigada tradición hispanoamericana que los señala como los infaltables visitantes que llegan a los hogares cada seis de enero, a entregar regalos y dulces a los niños que se han portado bien durante el año.

En Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, una pequeña ciudad en México, de donde es originario el artista mexicano Luis Abúndez, la costumbre era esperar que los Santos Reyes dejaran los regalos.

“Por la noche del 5 ya teníamos listos, bien alineados, nuestros zapatos al lado de la cama. Si nos habíamos portado bien durante el año, a la mañana siguiente encontrábamos los juguetes junto a nuestros zapatos”, relató.

Lázaro García, natural de Santa Ana, Oaxaca, una zona rural de México, dijo que en su pueblo la celebración tenía un carácter netamente religioso. “No recuerdo regalos, pero si el fervor con el que asistíamos a las representaciones de las Posadas y luego a la fiesta de Reyes”.

En España la fiesta iniciaba con la cabalgata de la víspera. El cinco de enero por la tarde los Reyes Magos recorrían las calles principales entregando caramelos y golosinas a niños y adultos que aguardaban su paso.

La fiesta concluía el seis por la tarde, cuando la familia se reunía con amigos para partir la tradicional ‘Rosca de Reyes’, un pan de dulce adornado con frutas confitadas, miel e higos, simulando las joyas de una corona real, y en cuyo interior se hallan pequeños ‘Niños Jesús’. Las personas que los encuentran deben ofrecer tamales y atole el día de la Candelaria, fiesta que se celebra el 2 de febrero, cuando se levanta del pesebre al Niño Dios.

UN AÑO DIFERENTE

Muchas iglesias de Charlotte incluían la presencia de los Reyes Magos en la celebración de sus Posadas y Pastorelas,

CORTESÍA MANOLO BETANCUR

Alrededor de la Rosca de Reyes celebraremos la adoración del recién nacido Niño Jesús.

pero en el año 2020 todo ha sido diferente.

La pandemia de COVID-19 obligó a reducir el número de asistentes a las Misas y actos celebratorios. Rosarios, posadas y pastorelas se celebraron en la intimidad del hogar y por redes sociales. Las Misas se han presenciado mayoritariamente a través de transmisiones online por Facebook y YouTube.

Manolo Betancur, propietario de la panadería Manolo’s Bakery, espera preparar la tradicional Rosca de Reyes en un número más limitado. La pandemia ha afectado a todos los pequeños negocios y el suyo no es la excepción.

Más allá de la preparación con insumos de calidad, explica que el secreto del sabor es mantener la tradición en la preparación. “Le ponemos amor y mucha dedicación, aunque tengamos que venderla al mismo precio que otros”.

“Mi negocio no gira alrededor del dinero sino de las personas”, dice y explica que el 10 por ciento de los ingresos de la venta de Roscas de Reyes este año será destinado a una obra benéfica en ‘Tent City’, una zona de la ciudad en la que se han instalado, bajo carpas, decenas de personas sin hogar.

“Si van a comprar una Rosca de Reyes para celebrar en la casa, no les pido que únicamente me compren a mí sino que también a cualquier otro pequeño negocio. Necesitamos apoyarnos como comunidad”, puntualizó.

Este seis de enero, con o sin Rosca, los católicos nos reuniremos en el calor del hogar a adorar al recién nacido Niño Jesús, Dios hecho hombre.

Lecturas Diarias Sábado: Hebreos 4:12-16, 54-60, Marcos 2:13-17

ENE. 3-9

Domingo (Epifanía del Señor): Isaías 60:1-6, Efesios 3:2-3a. 5-6, Mateo 2:1-12; Lunes (Santa Isabela): 1 Juan 3:22–4, 6, Mateo 4:12-17. 23-25; Martes (San Juan Nepomuceno Neumann): 1 Juan 4:7-10, Marcos 6:34-44; Miércoles: 1 Juan:4, 11-18, Marcos 6:45-52; Jueves: 1 Juan 4:19–5, 4, Lucas 4:14-22; Viernes: 1 Jun 5:5-13, Lucas 5:12-16; Sábado: 1 Juan 5:14-21, Juan 3:22-30

ENE. 10-16

Domingo (Fiesta del Bautismo del Señor): Isaías 42: 1-4. 6-7, Hechos 10:34-38, Marcos 1:7-11; Lunes: Hebreos 1:1-6, Mc 1:1420; Martes: Hebreos 2:5-12, Marcos 1:21-28; Miércoles: Hebreos 2:14-18, Marcos 1:29-39; Jueves: Hebreos 3:7-14, Marcos 1:40-45; Viernes: Hebreos 4:1-5. 11, Marcos 2: 1-12;

ENE. 17-23

‘Bautismo de Cristo’ (1585), óleo en liezo de Domenico Tintoretto.

Venecia (15601635). Imagen cortesía del Museo del Prado, Madrid.

Domingo: 1 Samuel 3:3b10. 19, 1 Corintios 6:13c-15a.

17-20, Juan 1:35-42; Lunes: Hebreos 5:1-10, Marcos 2:1822; Martes: Hebreos 6:10-20, Marcos 2:23-28; Miércoles: Hebreos 7:1-3. 15-17, Marcos 3:1-6; Jueves (Santa Inés): Hebreos 7:23–8, 6, Marcos 3:712; Viernes (Día de Oración por la protección legal de los niños no nacidos): Hebreos 8:6-13, Marcos 3:13-19; Sábado: Hebreos 9:2-3, 11-14, Marcos 3:20-21

CORTESÍA ESCUELAS CATÓLICAS DIÓCESIS DE CHARLOTTE

Grupo de padres de familia de la escuela St. Michael en Gastonia, voluntarios del programa ‘Madrinas y Padrinos’, durante un servicio de información realizado en su parroquia al término de una Misa dominical. En 2021 se espera que el programa de asistencia a la comunidad latina se extienda a 6 de las 19 escuelas diocesanas.

Programa ‘Madrinas y Padrinos’ de Escuelas Católicas promete extenderse en 2021 CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — Para alcanzar con efectividad a la comunidad latina en las escuelas católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte, el programa ‘Madrinas y Padrinos’, una iniciativa lanzada a inicios de 2019, planea extender su alcance a 6 de las 19 escuelas con las que cuenta el sistema, tres más de las que ahora atiende.

El proyecto recluta voluntarios que ayudan a las escuelas en su tarea de comunicación con familias hispanas que solicitan información sobre el sistema y se sienten más cómodos hablando en su propio idioma.

Los participantes reciben un entrenamiento que les permite conocer a fondo el funcionamiento del sistema escolar y las ayudas financieras disponibles. Al transmitir esta información de manera correcta se brinda una ayuda invalorable a los padres de familia que buscan registrar a sus hijos en las escuelas.

“Las ‘Madrinas y Padrinos’ no son un grupo separado, son parte integrante de la escuela, embajadores latinos que apoyan en eventos, open houses y como representantes de la escuela donde quiera que se les necesite”, aseguró Angélica Hurtado, coordinadora de reclutamiento de estudiantes.

El programa fue creado por el Latino Enrollment Institute de la Universidad Notre Dame en Indiana, con la finalidad de promover los valores y el acceso a la educación católica de calidad, abrazando la universalidad de la Iglesia, aumentando la inscripción de latinos, educando cultural y lingüísticamente en la diversidad a los alumnos a través de una excelente formación académica.

En el verano de 2018, gracias al interés de los líderes de las escuelas católicas de Charlotte, personal de reclutamiento recibió el entrenamiento para aplicar el programa en Charlotte, dando sus primeros frutos en la escuela St. Michael en Gastonia, donde el primer grupo de Madrinas y Padrinos concluyó su preparación y ya ha participado en diversos eventos dentro y fuera de la escuela.

En la escuela Our Lady of Assumption un grupo completará su formación en marzo de 2021, pero ya colabora en diversas actividades de la escuela.

Luisa Iveth García Morales, voluntaria de esta escuela, afirma estar feliz de ser parte del proyecto. “A pesar de la pandemia de COVID-19 y el cambio de vida tan drástico que todos tuvimos que hacer, no nos rendimos, seguimos con nuestras clases por video llamadas y esperamos estar listas y muy bien preparadas para poder responder a cada una de las dudas de los padres de familia y ayudar a sus hijos para que ingresen a estas hermosas escuelas de fe”, añadió.

En la actualidad, además de St. Michael y Our Lady of Assumption, la iniciativa se está implementando en la escuela secundaria Christ the King en Huntersville y Our Lady of Mercy en Winston Salem, bajo la aceptación, apoyo y supervisión de los directores de esos centros educativos.

Allana-Rae Ramkissoon, M.Ed., directora de la Escuela Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, dijo que “el papel de las Madrinas como defensoras de la comunidad latina ha sido sustancial y sin precedentes”.

Destacó que existe gran “entusiasmo PROGRAMA, PASA A LA PÁGINA 17

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iiiJanuary 1, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

CATHOLIC N

Father Casey Coleman at St. Mary Mother of God Church in Sylva said hello to parishioners as he and volunteers passed out blessed palm branches and bottles of holy water during a ‘“drive-through” procession in the church’s parking lot for Palm Sunday.

Proper face masks notwithstanding, the joy everyone had was evident on their faces despite the restrictions the coronavirus pandemic has placed on people’s ability to gather for worship.

DELLA SUE BRYSON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

2020: Responding in faith to a c T

CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

his past year has certainly been anything but ordinary – in almost every part of our lives.

And nearly every aspect of the work of the Church – everything from the celebration of the sacraments, to outreach to the sick and the poor, to pastoral outreach and care – was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, thanks to the many blessings from God and reliance on each other, the people of the Diocese of Charlotte have responded to the challenges posed by the pandemic with charity, hope and faith in God’s providence – striving for holiness as missionary disciples of Christ.

PHOTO PROVIDED

A statue of St. James the Greater in front of St. James Church in Concord bears a mask to show public solidarity during the pandemic.

The inspiring efforts documented in each edition of the Catholic News Herald throughout 2020 are many. The diocesan offices and most of the 92 parishes and missions across western North Carolina transitioned to working remotely with minimal interruption in services. People turned to livestreamed Masses, online giving, Zoom calls and email prayer chains to support their parish and one other. And all of the diocese’s 19 schools successfully shifted to remote learning in March – then, through careful planning and collaboration with families and public health officials, returned to in-person instruction in the fall.

When the pandemic forced churches to cancel most public Masses and parish activities in March, then carefully reopen with safety measures in place, clergy and parish staffs adapted with creativity and inspiration –

finding new ways to connect in the digital sphere. Mas on Facebook and YouTube. Email newsletters instead Phone calls and porch visits. Drive-through Eucharist rosaries and outdoor confessions. Whatever it took to connected to their faith and to their parish family.

Temporarily waiving the obligation to attend Sunday Jugis entreated the faithful to rely on the Holy Spirit t guide them through the difficult times. “Be holy,” he r numerous homilies, entreating everyone to exercise th Spirit: among them charity, patience, kindness, gentle faithfulness and peace.

As the pandemic ravaged families and local economi western North Carolina also redoubled its efforts to pr outreach.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte quickly adap increased requests for food, clothing, financial help an Food pantries in Asheville, Charlotte and Winston-Sal curbside food distribution when pandemic restrictions from coming inside to receive emergency food assistan Charities’ burial assistance program provided more th dignified burials for the especially destitute, including When the pandemic shut down most in-person servi Charities also successfully converted its counseling pr telehealth service to serve hundreds of people remotel been an anxiety-filled time for so many.

Catholic Charities also provided emergency rent and families economically affected by the pandemic, to hel shut-offs or eviction. This was made possible thanks to from the people of the diocese as well as two grants tot the Charlotte-Mecklenburg COVID-19 Response Fund.

Across the diocese, parish food pantries also continu work to meet the needs of the underserved in their com providing food and emergency aid, parishes also partn

NEWS HERALD

January 1, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

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GIULIANA RILEY | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Jason Christian, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon, delivers his homily to parishioners in their cars during an outdoor Mass at Harmon Field in March, after most churches had stopped indoor worship services.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Homebound parishioners watch as Father Richard Sutter delivers his homily for a March 22 Mass that was streamed online from St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.

Catholic schools opened last fall for in-person instruction using an extensive protocol of health screenings, frequent cleaning and handwashing, face coverings, safe distancing, protective barriers and other measures to keep students and staff healthy and safe. Remote learning options were also offered for students who opted to stay at home due to health concerns.

PHOTO PROVIDED

challenging year

sses streamed live of paper bulletins. tic Adoration, help keep people

ay Mass, Bishop Peter to strengthen and reminded people in he fruits of the Holy eness, self-control,

ies, the Church in rovide charitable

pted to respond to nd burial assistance. lem shifted to s prevented people nce. Catholic han a hundred g four children. ices, Catholic rogram to a ly through what has

d utility assistance to lp them avoid utility o financial support taling $115,000 from . ued their vital mmunities. Besides nered with local

health care providers to host free COVID-19 testing.

Hispanic Ministry, as well as Campus Ministry, RCIA, Youth Ministry, Lay Ministry and other programs across the diocese also shifted to virtual services and video conferencing after the pandemic prevented in-person meetings and classes.

The 2020 Eucharistic Congress was necessarily re-imagined in response to the pandemic. The 16th annual Congress, originally scheduled for Sept. 12-13, 2020, shifted from what would have been a large celebration in uptown Charlotte to parish- and home-based family celebrations. Parishes developed their own worship and educational programs for youth and adults alike, including Eucharistic Adoration and Mass. Bishop Jugis offered a special Mass streamed live from St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, and the Catholic News Herald provided supplemental educational materials for families to deepen their devotion to the Eucharist.

Not even a pandemic could stop the work of the Church in fostering vocations as well, and so on July 24, 2020, Bishop Jugis conferred the sacrament of holy orders on Jacob Mlakar and Jonathan Torres, welcoming them as the diocese’s newest priests. The next month, on Aug. 15, 2020, he instituted as acolytes 12 men in formation for the permanent diaconate. And on Sept. 15, 2020, he formally opened and blessed the new permanent home for St. Joseph College Seminary. The diocese’s growing vocations program now supports 41 men in various stages of formation for the priesthood.

The pandemic also did not stop the Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corp. from continuing its ministry to build affordable housing for vulnerable seniors, adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and other vulnerable/underserved populations. Guardian Angel Villa, a three-story, 81-unit community in Charlotte for seniors – the diocese’s largest project to date – opened in December.

As a new year dawns, we pray that God will continue to guide us every step of the way and that we are able to rise to the challenges we face – striving together in faith and holiness, serving as examples of His love and mercy to others.

Bishop Peter Jugis surveys the damage after a fire destroyed the office of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in the early morning hours of July 27. The Monroe parish was his last pastoral assignment before being named the fourth Bishop of Charlotte in 2003.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Top stories of 2020 In 2020, 369,106 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com viewed a total of 641,036 pages.

The top 10 headlines last year were: n 10 facts about Advent........................................................................................................................ 19,560 n Where to watch Mass online............................................................................................................ 16,906 n Tabernacle containing the Eucharist stolen from Boone Catholic church..........................14,730 n Offering Masses for the dead............................................................................................................ 9,559 n Priest assignments for 2020..............................................................................................................8,381 n View the current print edition of the Catholic News Herald......................................................7,926 n Fire destroys Monroe church office..................................................................................................7,827 n Most public Masses cancelled; diocesan schools suspend classes......................................... 6,951 n St. Joseph, patron saint of departing souls...................................................................................6,736 n Sunday Mass obligation waived for Catholics of the diocese...................................................5,745

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catholicnewsherald.com | January 1, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

2020: RESPONDING IN FAITH

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

PHOTO PROVIDED

PHOTO PROVIDED

Atrium Health’s COVID-19 mobile testing bus was out April 29 at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte, screening 170 people and testing 123 people who drove up throughout the day.

Part of Atrium Health’s ongoing effort to address underserved and minority communities in Charlotte that have limited access to COVID-19 testing, healthcare professionals at the Coronavirus Testing Center conducted free screenings and immediate tests for COVID-19 as well as assess other health issues with patients, including the ability to socially isolate and quarantine, and make connections to other resources such as access to food or a pharmacy. The mobile testing event at the church was one of its most successful, Atrium officials said afterwards.

Mercy Sister Martha Hoyle and Mercy Sister Susie Dandison are pictured at the health clinic they operate in Mocksville. Just like other Sisters of Mercy throughout the order’s history, the sisters responded to the growing need to provide health care to people in need during the pandemic.

Churches reopened to in-person worship services after putting in place sanitation and other health measures based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

PHOTO PROVIDED

BY CCHS

The opening of St. Joseph College Seminary represented a milestone in the history of the diocese. It is the only college seminary program between Washington, D.C., and Miami, and has been a magnet for young men wanting to discern the priesthood.

Enrollment has more than tripled since the program was established in 2016, and upon opening the new seminary building this year, the program is already at two-thirds of capacity with 27 out of 40 seminarian slots filled.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DARBY MCCLATCHY

St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte was among those that held prayer vigils in June, calling for peace and justice and for an end to violence and racism, after several African-Americans were killed in police shootings in 2020 that sparked protests around the country. In a special pastoral letter, Bishop Jugis reminded people of the persistent sin of racism described by the U.S. bishops in “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love,” and he urged people to pray “that the Holy Spirit will help us to heal deep wounds and hurts in our society, and help us move toward reconciliation and peace.”

Dr. Leo Maganares, professor of engineering at Charlotte Catholic High School, models one of the PPE sets that CCHS produced to protect local health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Building for growth Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, 2020 saw several building and special projects take shape across the Diocese of Charlotte: n JUNE: St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro completed a renovation that included a new altar and ambo, pews, carpeting and lighting. n SEPTEMBER: The permanent home for St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly was formally opened and blessed by Bishop Peter Jugis. The $20 million project includes 30,000 square feet of living-and-learning space, and serves as home to young men exploring a vocation to the Catholic priesthood while also pursuing undergraduate degrees at nearby Belmont Abbey College.

Also in September, the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God broke ground on a state-of-the-art Lillian Congdon Transitional

Rehab Center at Pennybyrn. Pennybyrn is a continuing care retirement community located in High Point operated by the sisters since 1947. n OCTOBER: Immaculata School in Hendersonville officially celebrated the completion of a major renovation effort. The

$900,000 remodeling project included a new security vestibule and visitor check-in system, upgrades to the school’s technology infrastructure, the addition of an intercom system, classroom renovations, and lighting Improvements throughout. Restrooms were remodeled, and a prominent canopy was added to the length of the front entrance and sidewalk. n DECEMBER: Guardian Angel Villa, the Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corp.’s largestever affordable housing project, was blessed by Bishop Jugis. Residents began moving into the 81-unit, $14 million project before Christmas.

Also in December, significant renovations were completed on St. Barnabas Church in Arden and on the Curlin Center at Holy Family Parish in Clemmons. In Arden, the renovation included new pews, flooring, finishes and an expansion of the sanctuary. Additional meeting rooms, offices, storage, and a new chapel was part of the Curlin Center’s renovation effort.

campaign for a new Athletic & Activity Complex reached important fundraising milestones.

Construction is expected to begin next summer. n Asheville Catholic School is building a 12,000-square-foot addition. The $3.9 million project includes six new classrooms, dedicated art room, new restrooms, storage, meeting

rooms, custodial facilities and a common area. n St. Luke Church is building a pavilion, athletic fields and rectory on approximately 30 acres along Fairview Road in Mint Hill. The projects totaling $2.173 million comprise the first phase of a major expansion plan for the growing parish community.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter Jugis blessed Guardian Angel Villa, the Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corp.’s largestever affordable housing project, in December. The housing corporation, in partnership with Douglas Development and Schaumber Development, opened the 81-unit apartment building that offers belowmarket rent for seniors in a city with a severe lack of affordable housing. A unique public-private-nonprofit partnership made the nearly $14 million project possible.

Other projects under way n Ground was broken in December on a $21 million, 47,700-square-foot Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools Fine Arts Center that will be built on the campus of Charlotte Catholic High School. The project is expected to be completed before the start of the 2022-’23 school year. n Christ the King High School’s capital

January 1, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

15

2020: RESPONDING IN FAITH

Leadership changes n In February, Father Julio Dominguez was appointed

by Bishop Jugis to be the new Vicar for Hispanic Ministry, succeeding Father Fidel Melo.

Dominguez

Arnsparger

Reid

Monroe

n Growth in the work of the Education Vicariate prompted Bishop Jugis to add a second vicar for education. Father Timothy Reid was appointed Vicar for Education: For Catholic Schools. Father Roger Arnsparger, the current education vicar, became Vicar for Education: For Catechetical Formation. n On June 1, the Catholic Schools Office also welcomed a new superintendent, Dr. Gregory Monroe.

In memoriam DEACON CHARLES LEE “CHUCK” BRANTLEY SR., who served at St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Statesville, died Feb. 27, 2020. He was 89.

DEACON PATRICK JOSEPH DEVINE III, who served as a chaplain at CharlotteDouglas International Airport, died Dec. 10, 2020. He was 73.

DEACON GORDON LAWRENCE FORESTER, who served at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Greensboro, died Aug. 1, 2020. He was 97 and the oldest deacon serving in the Diocese of Charlotte.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

The Diocese of Charlotte welcomed two new priests in 2020: Father Jacob Mlakar and Father Jonathan Torres were ordained during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis July 24 at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. This year’s ordination Mass was noticeably more subdued due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but still a joyful celebration. “Christ Jesus, the teacher, the priest and the shepherd, is your model to follow as His priest,” Bishop Jugis told the two men, in carrying out the apostolic mission entrusted to them by Christ.

DOMINICAN SISTER FLORENCE GAVIN, who guided people in their spiritual lives at St. Jude Parish in Sapphire Valley and Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Highlands from 1990 to 1991, died Dec. 8, 2020. She was 91.

SISTER OF MERCY MARY JULIA GODWIN, who served as a Sister of Mercy for 72 years and taught in Asheville, Gastonia, Charlotte and Salisbury, died Dec. 10, 2020.

She was 92.

GLENMARY FATHER ROLAND RAYMOND HAUTZ, who served at St. William Church in Murphy, St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson and St. Frances of Rome Mission in Sparta, died March 14, 2020. He was 92.

DEACON JAMES “JIM” RAY JOHNSON, who formerly served at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton, died March 10, 2020.

DEACON JOSEPH H. MACK, who served at St. John Neumann Parish in Charlotte, died March 22, 2020, aged 95.

SISTER REGIS MCNULTY, who served at Charlotte Catholic High School (1972-’73) and was principal at St. Joan of Arc School in Asheville (1973-’74). died Dec. 4, 2020.

She was 92.

FATHER GABRIEL JOSEPH MEEHAN, who served at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville, St. Lucien Church in Spruce Pine, Holy Infant Church in Reidsville, Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Albemarle, St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lenoir and Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City, died Sept. 6, 2020. He was 89.

DEACON THOMAS P. O’CONNELL, who served at St. Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem, died Jan. 4, 2020. He was 84.

SISTER MARY ALMA PANGELINAN, who was a Sister of Mercy for 71 years, died May 24, 2020, at the age of 89.

BENEDICTINE FATHER ARTHUR J. PENDLETON, a monk and priest of Belmont Abbey, died Feb. 21, 2020, He was 90.

DEACON MICHAEL LEVON STOUT, who served at St. Barnabas Church in Arden, died Feb. 4, 2020, He was 75.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

Father Alfonso Gámez, parochial vicar, celebrates Mass in commemoration of the feast of the Divine Child Jesus in July at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. Parishes found ways to safely continue devotions, prayer vigils and other religious services despite the restrictions posed by the pandemic.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY LINDSAY M. KOHL AND MARYANN LUEDTKE

Fifty children received their first Holy Communion during two Masses celebrated in August at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro by Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, pastor. Churches across the diocese found ways to continue celebrating the sacraments while respecting public health precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

DEACON JOHN OTTO ZIMMERLE, who served at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mocksville from June 2001 to his retirement in October 2014, died Nov. 27, 2020. He was 80.

Mix 16

catholicnewsherald.com | January 1, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

In theaters

‘Gunda’ Filmmaker Victor Kossakovsky’s compelling 93-minute documentary about animal life on the farm offers an intimate view of the eponymous sow and her piglets, devoid of dialogue and human actors. Hidden cameras capture the intimacy and simplicity of the daily routine of a porcine family, revealing a surprising intelligence and a range of “emotions,” including joy, anger and sorrow. What unfolds in glorious black-and-white cinematography is as unexpected as it is mesmerizing and can be enjoyed by the entire family.

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

IȲǞƮƊɯ‫ ة‬hƊȁɐƊȲɯ ‫ׇ‬Ɉǘ‫׀׃ب׈ ۊ ׁׂ׀ׂ ة‬Ɗǿ ‫׀׀بׂ ۋ‬ȯǿ IȌȲǿƊɈǞɨƵ ƊȁƮ ²ɐǿǿƊɈǞɨƵ ȺȺƵȺȺǿƵȁɈȺ IȲǞƮƊɯ‫ ة‬hƊȁɐƊȲɯ ׂ‫׉‬Ɉǘ‫׀׃ب׈ ۊ ׁׂ׀ׂ ة‬Ɗǿ ‫׀׀بׂ ۋ‬ȯǿ RȌɩ ɈȌ ǏǏȌȲƮ !ƊɈǘȌǶǞƧ ²ƧǘȌȌǶȺ‫ي‬ IȲǞƮƊɯ‫ ة‬IƵƦȲɐƊȲɯ ׂ‫׆‬Ɉǘ‫׀׃ب׈ ۊ ׁׂ׀ׂ ة‬Ɗǿ ‫׀׀بׂ ۋ‬ȯǿ IƊǞɈǘ mǞǏƵ Ǟȁ ɐȲ !ƊɈǘȌǶǞƧ ²ƧǘȌȌǶȺ IȲǞƮƊɯ‫ ة‬wƊȲƧǘ ׁ‫׉‬Ɉǘ‫׀׃ب׈ ۊ ׁׂ׀ׂ ة‬Ɗǿ ‫׀׀بׂ ۋ‬ȯǿ àǘƊɈ ǞȺ ɈǘƵ !ƊɈǘȌǶǞƧ mǞƦƵȲƊǶ ȲɈȺ !ɐȲȲǞƧɐǶɐǿ‫ي‬

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‘Crown of the Virgin: An Ancient Meditation on Mary’s Beauty, Virtue, and Sanctity’

by Father Robert Nixon, OSB

n Sunday, Jan. 3, 10:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Star Shall Rise.” Three wise men traveling to Bethlehem discuss the significance of the star they are following. The drama featuring Raymond Burr provides an unusual perspective on the well-known Magi story.

This publication is the first translation into English of a Latin work entitled “Libellus de Corona Virginis,” or “The Little Book on the Crown of the Virgin.” In this beautiful, moving and ornate literary portrait, the author imaginatively and lyrically fashions a magnificent crown for the Blessed Virgin Mary, decorated with 12 radiant jewels, six brilliant stars and six fragrant flower blossoms. Each of these is interpreted as representing a particular aspect of the beauty, beneficence, virtue or sanctity of the Blessed Virgin.

A perfect companion for guiding daily devotion to the Queen of Heaven, each chapter reveals a new and scintillating glimpse into the glories of Mary, sure to inspire the heart of the reader with ever more ardent devotion to the Mother of God, the vessel of all graces and the paradigm and perfection of every virtue. As a guide to meditation and a catalyst for prayer, the Crown of the Virgin is an illuminating mirror of the beauty and splendor of the one who is herself the refulgent and immaculate image of her Divine Son. At www.tanbooks.com: Order your copy of “Crown of the Virgin.” Catholic News Herald readers enjoy 20 percent off their order – use the exclusive coupon code “CNH20.”

n Monday, Jan. 4, 10 a.m. (EWTN) “Holy Mass from Nazareth.” Live from the Shrine of the Annunciation in the Holy Land. n Wednesday, Jan. 6, 11:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.” Pope Francis celebrates the Solemn Mass of the Epiphany, the feast commemorating Christ’s manifestation to the Magi, live from St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. n Saturday, Jan. 9, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Rose of Lima.” An EWTN original movie about the life of St. Rose of Lima, whose great love of God and neighbor drove her to become a champion of the poor and afflicted in her native Peru, and the first saint of the Americas. n Sunday, Jan. 10, 12 p.m. (EWTN) “Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.” Live from the famous Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Pope Francis presides over the Solemn Mass celebrating the Baptism of Our Lord.

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January 1, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

LAWSUIT

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workers and volunteers since the late 1980s, and in 2002 adopted new protocols as part of the U.S. bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

The new protocols mandate zero tolerance, strict accountability standards, and ongoing training for reporting allegations and preventing abuse in all parishes, schools and ministries.

— Catholic News Herald

por ofrecer tiempo, talento y tesoro, de muchas formas, para ayudar a la escuela a satisfacer las necesidades de nuestro cuerpo estudiantil culturalmente diverso”, su presencia en las jornadas de presentación informativa e iniciativa “para dar vida a la cultura hispana mediante el patrocinio de muchos eventos de la escuela”.

El Dr. Gregory Monroe, superintendente de las Escuelas Católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte, destacó el trabajo de Hurtado, quien implementó el programa y “pasa incontables horas ayudando a nuestras familias latinas y otras minorías a registrarse y convertirse en parte de nuestra familia escolar católica”. “Nuestros estudiantes y familias latinos mejoran nuestras comunidades escolares. Continuaremos compartiendo el mensaje que nuestras escuelas católicas se vuelven más importantes cuando tenemos personas de todos los orígenes y etnias. Encontraremos más formas de hacer que nuestras escuelas sean accesibles para nuestras familias de la comunidad latina, y apreciamos todo lo que nuestros estudiantes, familias, profesores y personal latino realizan para apoyar a nuestras escuelas y parroquias”, dijo.

Para mayor información sobre el programa ‘Madrinas y Padrinos’, contacte a Angélica Hurtado al teléfono 704-370-3221 o escriba un correo electrónico a aahurtado@ charlottediocese.org.

Full Dec. 22 statement from the Diocese of Charlotte: We just received the complaint and are reviewing the matter. We first learned of this allegation earlier this year, when the plaintiff’s attorneys sent a letter to the diocese. The letter also informed us the allegation had been reported to CMPD and the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office. CMPD later informed us the department planned to investigate.

Robert Yurgel was assigned by his supervising religious order, the New Jersey-based Capuchin Franciscans, to work in the Charlotte diocese from 1997 to 1999. The only previous child abuse allegation against Yurgel we are aware of is detailed on our accountability website at accountability.charlottediocese.org. As noted there, that complaint first emerged in 2008 and involved abuse that occurred a decade earlier.

Yurgel was convicted in 2009, sent to prison and dismissed from the priesthood. The diocese takes all allegations of child sexual abuse seriously, no matter when they might have occurred, and continues to encourage anyone who has information about possible abuse to report it to police.

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Our nation 18

catholicnewsherald.com | January 1, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Over 40 pro-life leaders call on Senate to reject Biden’s nominee to head HHS JULIE ASHER CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over 40 prominent pro-life leaders have called on the U.S. Senate to reject Presidentelect Joe Biden’s nomination of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“Mr. Becerra carries a national reputation for his vehement, unwavering support for abortion, including in the ninth month, his staunch convictions in opposition to conscience rights for medical professionals, and his hostile opinions regarding the freedoms of religious organizations, among other issues that are of major concern to us,” the leaders said in a Dec. 21 letter to senators.

Becerra, nominated by Biden Dec. 7, must be confirmed by the Senate. He would be the first Latino to be HHS secretary and would be Biden’s chief health care officer.

Pro-life leaders who signed the letter included the heads of March for Life, Students for Life Action, Family Research Council, Susan B. Anthony List, National Right to Life, Live Action, Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, Center for Medical Progress, And Then There were None and National Institute of Family & Life Advocates.

The group cited Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America’s 100 percent rating for Becerra’s record on abortion during his 25 years in Congress.

Among other actions as a House member, Becerra voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would prevent abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy when, the bill said, extensive evidence shows an unborn child is capable of feeling great pain.”

He also voted against the Conscience Protection Act of 2016, which would have prevented the federal government from denying federal funds to Catholic hospitals and other facilities that refuse to perform abortions.

Becerra also worked in 2009 to get the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act through Congress, leading to its successful passage in 2010. As California’s attorney general, he has defended the ACA in court.

Those who support his nomination to head HHS say he has spent his career spent “fighting for underserved communities” and his efforts “to protect the welfare of immigrants and migrants.”

Mercy Sister Mary Haddad, who is president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, called Becerra “a strong partner with CHA in defending the Affordable Care Act and for advocating for greater access to quality, affordable health care coverage for everyone, particularly the most vulnerable.”

Currently, he is the head attorney in a group of attorneys general from Democratic-led states defending ACA law against the Trump administration’s lawsuit to have it overturned.

A native of Sacramento, California, Becerra was sworn in Jan. 24, 2017, as California’s 33rd attorney general.

He’s the first Latino to hold the office in the history of the state. He succeeded Kamala Harris, now vice president-elect, in the post after she was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016.

Other objections to Becerra raised by the pro-life leaders is his involvement in litigation to revoke the Little Sisters of the Poor’s religious exemption to the ACA contraceptive mandate in the state of California.

Becerra had sued the Trump administration for expanding the religious exemption to the ACA’s contraceptive mandate in 2017 to fully accommodate the Little Sisters of the Poor’s refusal on religious grounds to cover contraceptives and abortifacients in their employee health care plan.

He argued the federal government was inserting itself into the state’s “sovereign duty” to protect women’s “reproductive rights.”

The religious order ultimately prevailed on July 8 of this year when the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in their favor in a similar challenge from Pennsylvania. But California is still working to take away their exemption as upheld by the court.

“His bias for anti-life, anti-religion policy is apparent, and he should be rejected to serve as a national department head,” the pro-life leaders said.

Their letter to the Senate follows a national petition by Students for Life Action petition urging Becerra not be confirmed. The group outlined the same issues as the pro-life leaders but highlighted the HHS nominee joining in a friend-of-the-court-brief earlier this year challenging the Food and Drug Administration’s requirement the abortion pill be dispensed in-person.

The brief argued that because the pandemic was severely limiting in-person visits to doctors and pharmacists, women seeking a chemical abortion were being denied access to the abortion pill.

“Consensus is a rare thing in political life these days, especially when it comes to what’s needed to address COVID-19,” Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life Action, wrote in a Dec. 12 online op-ed for RealClear Politics.

But, she wrote, “one idea has emerged from the abortion lobby as their solution to the pandemic. It’s being pushed through by the media and liberal, political establishment, and that is the expansion and deregulation of the chemical abortion pill market for DIY abortions.”

Others have criticized Biden’s choice of Becerra because the nominee has no front-line experience in the medical field.

Church leaders stress need for Christmas hope after challenging year CAROL ZIMMERMANN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

The cardinal acknowledged it is a tough time for everyone as people feel lonely and isolated and many cannot be with the people they love, but he said it must be remembered the first Christmas at Bethlehem was “no parade.”

“That was tough, with a woman with a troubled pregnancy who had just married, and she and her husband were surrounded by just animals on a cold night,” he said.

He pointed out this first Christmas was not the easiest of Christmases but serves to illustrated there is “salvation and joy very

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Christmas messages shared by U.S. Catholic leaders stressed the need to keep hope and faith alive this season particularly in the midst of the challenging pandemic year.

“As 2020 comes to an end, we know that sadly the trials and challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic will not,” said Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“For me, and I know for many of you, this long year has brought us face-to-face with basic facts: that life is fragile and uncertain, that powers beyond our control can suddenly disrupt our plans and hopes, that sickness and death can come into our lives at any time,” he wrote in a Dec. 22 column for Angelus, the online news outlet of the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

He said the experience of the past year is a chance to “deepen our awareness of our dependence on God” and calls people back “to the truth that what matters is seeking God’s will for our lives, following His commands, fixing our hearts on heaven.”

And that is why believers “approach Christmas this year with renewed hope,” he added.

He also reminded Catholics that Pope Francis has announced a “Year of St. Joseph, from Dec. 8 of this year to Dec. 8, 2021. (Editor’s note: The Diocese of Charlotte’s own Year of St. Joseph, which began Jan. 1, 2020, has been extended to May 1, 2021.)

Archbishop Gomez said St. Joseph can “show us how to live with courage and confidence in Christ in this year when our faith CNS | VICTOR ALEMÁN, ANGELUS NEWS and hope have been truly tested.”

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Across the country, Bishop Conference of Catholic Bishops, celebrates Christmas Eve Mass Dec. 24, Robert P. Deeley of Portland, Maine, 2020, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. similarly noted the challenges of this past year and the hope of the Christmas often in the midst of tribulation” and “we season in a Dec. 23 message. realize there is only one person that can fill the He pointed out that this Christmas season void and that’s the Lord.” there are more lights in windows and homes Cardinal Dolan said he will miss his usual since many are unable to gather together with Christmas Mass celebrated before a packed, families and friends during the pandemic but standing-room-only congregation at St. still want to brighten the lives of others.

Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and he will “The light disperses the darkness of winter miss the “beaming faces of families united.” and the burden that the coronavirus has placed The cathedral this year will be two-thirds on us. The lights of Christmas bring hope as empty because of COVID-19 restrictions. they raise spirits and smiles in a difficult time And this year, the cardinal said he will be in modern history,” he said. thinking of families that have been “fractured” Bishop Deeley said that during this year because of the pandemic, from lives lost and in particular, the Christmas lights should separations from one another. He said he remind everyone that “the light of the world is recognizes they are “not beaming as they think with us” and that Christians are “called to be on” the losses this pandemic has wrought. bearers of the light.”

But even in such a dark time, the message of He also stressed the importance of offering Christmas beams bright, he said. “Christmas help to those in need – which he said is the comes at the darkest time of the year,” during true meaning of Christmas: carrying God’s the shortest days of the year, he pointed out. light “into the world through our care for one “It’s precisely then that God sent his only another.” begotten Son to bring us life, to remind us that In an interview on “FOX & Friends” early life and goodness are going to have the last Dec. 23, New York Cardinal Timothy M. word, not darkness.”

Dolan was asked how people can find hope at And that’s a message believers need to hold Christmas this year when the situation is so on to. dire because of COVID-19.

— Contributing to this report was Julie Asher.

January 1, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief White House proclamation honors anniversary of St. Thomas Becket’s martyrdom WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House issued a proclamation honoring the 850th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket Dec. 29 and inviting “the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and Churches and customary places of meeting with appropriate ceremonies.” The proclamation, signed by President Donald Trump Dec. 28, described Becket as “a statesman, a scholar, a chancellor, a priest, an archbishop and a lion of religious liberty.” It described Becket’s martyrdom as “an event that changed the course of history” and which “eventually brought about numerous constitutional limitations on the power of the state over the Church across the West.”

HHS acts on violations of conscience protection by California, Vermont hospital WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two U.S. bishop’s committee said Dec. 17 they “strongly commend” the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services taking “corrective action” against a Vermont medical center and the state of California for violating federal conscience protection laws when it comes to abortion. In the first case, HHS’s Office for Civil Rights said Dec. 16 it has referred the University of Vermont Medical Center to the Department of Justice for a lawsuit over forcing a nurse to assist in an abortion procedure in violation of the nurse’s conscience rights. The same day, the HHS office also announced it will “disallow $200 million in federal Medicaid funds going to California in the upcoming quarter due to the state illegally mandating that all health care plans subject to regulation by the California Department of Managed Health Care cover abortion without exclusion or limitation.” These are “taking concrete steps to enforce long-standing and fundamental civil rights laws,” said New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities. “These bipartisan laws recognize that it is an abhorrent violation of conscience rights to force someone to perform, pay for, or otherwise participate in an abortion against their beliefs,” the two prelates said.

historic low this year in the United States even with the return of federal executions by the Trump administration. Seventeen people were executed in 2020, down from 22 in 2019. This lower figure stems in part from the coronavirus pandemic, but the report also notes that before the pandemic struck, the nation was set for a sixth straight year of lower numbers of death sentences and executions. This year, more prisoners died of COVID-19 than were executed.

In July, state executions came to a stop due to public health concerns related to COVID-19.

Federal executions resumed in July after a 17year hiatus. Also, five people who were on death row were exonerated this year, bringing that total figure up to 172 since 1973. 2020 was the first time the federal government carried out more executions in one year than all of the U.S. states combined. Ten of this year’s executions were conducted by the federal government; the other seven were conducted by five states: Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. These states, with the exception of Texas, each had one execution.

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TPS beneficiaries from seven countries to receive extension CHALATENANGO, El Salvador — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that seven countries will receive an extension for its citizens to remain in the U.S. under the Temporary Protected Status program, known popularly as TPS. The Department of Homeland Security announced in a notice published in the Federal Register an extension for beneficiaries from South Sudan until May 2022, and because of ongoing litigation, TPS extensions for beneficiaries from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Honduras, Nepal and Sudan until October 2021. The TPS program grants a work permit and reprieve from deportation to certain people whose countries have experienced natural disasters, armed conflicts or exceptional situations so they can remain temporarily in the United States. But many have U.S.-born children, steady or long-term jobs, and even businesses in the U.S. — Catholic News Service

January Respect Life Events Charlotte Mass for the Unborn Friday, January 8, 2021 9 A.M. – St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte, NC

stvincentdepaulchurch.com

March for Life Charlotte Friday, January 8, 2021 11 A.M. – Assemble at Pastoral Center 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 12 P.M. – March

nationalshrine.org

March for Life 2021 Washington, D.C. Friday, January 29, 2021 12th St. and National Mall 12 P.M.- Rally 1 P.M.- March for Life

marchforlifecharlotte.org

Death penalty hits historic low in U.S. ‘despite federal execution spree,’ says report

Mass & March for Life Raleigh, NC Saturday, January 16, 2021 11 A.M. Mass – Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral 715 Nazareth St, Raleigh, NC 27606 1:00 PM – Rally & March Halifax Mall on Lane St.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new report Dec. 16 by the Death Penalty Information Center said the use of capital punishment reached a

ncrtl.org/rally-and-march-for-life

FAITH

North Carolina Mass for Life Washington, D.C. Friday, January 29, 2021 Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 400 Michigan Ave NE Washington, D.C. 10 A.M. – Mass

FAMILY

FRATERNITY

marchforlife.org

Please note - check websites listed for updates and restrictions at respective Masses and events. Restrictions in the various cities/ dioceses/parishes are subject to change, so please check regularly and plan accordingly.

There could be limited to no attendance to the Mass in DC pending capacity restrictions.

Updates on these marches and pro-life Masses can also be found at: ccdoc.org/respectlife

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19

Our world 20

catholicnewsherald.com | January 1, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope again calls for diverting funds from weapons to fighting hunger CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — Appealing for a worldwide commitment to initiating a “culture of care” for one another and for the environment, Pope Francis again called on nations to divert money from their military budgets to create a global fund to end hunger and promote development in the world’s poorest nations.

“How many resources are spent on weaponry, especially nuclear weapons, that could be used for more significant priorities such as ensuring the safety of individuals, the promotion of peace and integral human development, the fight against poverty and the provision of health care,” he wrote in his message for World Peace Day 2021.

The Church celebrates World Peace Day Jan. 1, and the pope’s message is distributed to heads of state and government around the world. The theme the pope chose for the 2021 celebration was: “A Culture of Care as a Path to Peace.”

Pope Francis had suggested the idea of a global fund using money diverted from spending on weaponry in his encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship.” In the document, released in early October, he had written: “With the money spent on weapons and other military expenditures, let us establish a global fund that can finally put an end to hunger and favor development in the most impoverished countries, so that their citizens will not resort to violent or illusory solutions, or have to leave their countries in order to seek a more dignified life.”

In his peace day message, the pope said the COVID-19 pandemic had aggravated “deeply interrelated crises like those of climate, food, the economy and migration” and caused “great suffering and hardship” for millions of people around the world.

Along with inspiring examples of selfless and generous assistance to others, especially on the part of health care and other “essential workers,” Pope Francis said, the pandemic also brought “a surge in various forms of nationalism, racism and xenophobia, and wars and conflicts that bring only death and destruction in their wake.”

Working for the common good with a special commitment to helping the poor is part of a “culture of care” that can bring peace, stability and greater prosperity to all, he wrote. And it is the only way “to combat the culture of indifference, waste and confrontation so prevalent in our time.”

The Church’s long history of defending human dignity and offering concrete assistance to individuals and communities, he said, led to the development of its social teaching, which elaborates a series of “principles, criteria and proposals that can serve as a ‘grammar’ of care: commitment to promoting the dignity of each human person, solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, the pursuit of the common good and concern for protection of creation.”

Vatican calls for equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican’s coronavirus commission and the Pontifical Academy for Life issued a joint statement calling for a coordinated international effort to ensure the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. The document highlights the “critical role of vaccines to defeat the pandemic, not just for individual personal health but to protect the health of all,” the Vatican said Dec. 29. “The Vatican commission and the Pontifical Academy of Life remind world leaders that vaccines must be provided to all fairly and equitably, prioritizing those most in need,” it said.

The pandemic has exacerbated “a triple threat of simultaneous and interconnected health, economic and socio-ecological crises that are disproportionately impacting the poor and the vulnerable,” the document said.

“As we move toward a just recovery, we must ensure that immediate cures for the crises become stepping-stones to a more just society, with an inclusive and interdependent set of systems.”

Pope Francis established the COVID-19 commission in April with the goal of

expressing “the Church’s concern and love for the entire human family in the face of the of COVID-19 pandemic.”

Led by Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the commission is tasked with collaborating with other Vatican offices to coordinate its work, including “an analysis and a reflection on the socioeconomic and culture challenges of the future and proposed guidelines to address them.”

Cardinal Turkson said that while the Vatican is grateful for the scientific community’s speedy development of the vaccine, it is “now up to us to ensure that it is available to all, especially the most vulnerable.” “It is a matter of justice,” he said. “This is the time to show we are one human family.”

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, said his office is working with the commission to address the ethical issues regarding the vaccines’ development and distribution.

The joint document reiterated the points made Dec. 21 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding the moral implications of receiving COVID-19 vaccines that were developed or tested using cell lines originating from aborted fetuses. It also cited the congregation’s 2008 instruction, “Dignitas Personae,” which states that “grave reasons

may be morally proportionate to justify the use of such biological material.”

The Pontifical Academy for Life, the document said, also has addressed the issue of developing vaccines using tissue from aborted fetuses; while it called for a “commitment to ensuring that every vaccine has no connection in its preparation to any material originating from an abortion,” it also said that “the moral responsibility to vaccinate is reiterated in order to avoid serious health risks for children and the general population.”

The new document issued a set of objectives, particularly around making the vaccines “available and accessible to all.” Part of that process, the document said, would be to consider how to reward those who developed the vaccine and repay “the research costs and risks companies have taken on,” while also recognizing the vaccine “as a good to which everyone should have access, without discrimination.”

The document quoted Pope Francis, who said at Christmas that humanity could not allow “the virus of radical individualism to get the better of us and make us indifferent to the suffering of other brothers and sisters,” nor could it allow “the law of the marketplace and patents take precedence over the law of love and the health of humanity.”

Fides says 20 ‘missionaries’ died violently in 2020 CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — Attacked because of their faith, killed in a robbery, murdered in a general climate of violence or struck down by someone with obvious mental difficulties, the 20 missionaries who died violent deaths in 2020 were witnesses of the Gospel, said Fides, the Vatican’s missionary news agency.

Presenting its annual list of missionaries killed during the year, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples explained, “We use the term ‘missionary’ for all the baptized, aware that ‘in virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples.”

Fides’ 2020 list includes eight priests, six laypeople – including two girls, 10- and 12-year-old sisters, who were members of the Holy Childhood Association in Nicaragua – three women religious, two seminarians and a religious brother.

From 2000 to 2020, Fides said, 535 pastoral workers, including five bishops, were killed.

When Fides first began publishing the list and still today it focuses primarily on foreign missionaries or pastoral workers in mission lands, but also “tries to record all the baptized engaged in the life of the Church who died in a violent way, not only ‘in hatred of the faith,’” the agency explained. While the word “martyr” literally means “witness,” the agency does not use the term for the missionaries killed “in order not to enter into the question of the judgment that the Church might eventually deliver upon some of them, after careful consideration, for beatification or canonization.”

The murdered missionaries, Fides said, shared the life of the people with whom they lived and, in too many cases, shared the same kind of violent death.

They include Michael Nnadi, 18, one of four seminarians kidnapped in Nigeria from a seminary in Kakau. Over a period of two weeks in late January, three of the seminarians were released. Nnadi’s body was found Feb. 1.

Police arrested Mustapha Mohammed, alleged leader of a gang that specialized in stopping cars and robbing the drivers, Fides reported. Mohammed confessed to killing Nnadi because “he kept preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ” to members of the gang.

The girls on Fides’ list, Lilliam Yunielka Gonzalez and Blanca Marlene Gonzalez, were murdered with machetes Sept. 15 in Mulukuku, Nicaragua. Their mother had already told police that Lilliam, the older girl, had been harassed. The bishop, U.S.-born Bishop Pablo Schmitz Simon, said their deaths were part of a widespread pattern of violence against women and girls and

CNS | PAUL JEFFREY

A red cross stands beside the grave of U.S.-born Sister Dorothy Stang in Anapu, Brazil, who was assassinated in 2005. The red cross beside her grave bears the names of 16 local rights activists who have been murdered since her killing. Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, said 20 missionaries died in violent deaths in 2020. urged Catholics in the diocese to report to police “anything that puts their physical, psychological and spiritual integrity at risk.”

While most of the people on the list were killed in places many people would think of as mission lands, Fides included 51-year-old Father Roberto Malgesini, a priest of the Diocese of Como, Italy, who was stabbed to death Sept. 15 by a mentally ill homeless man he was helping.

Eight of the 20 victims on the Fides list were killed in Central or South America, seven were killed in Africa, three in Asia and two in Italy; in addition to Father Malgesini, Fides listed Camillian Brother Leonardo Grasso, 78, who was beaten and then died in a fire set at the community for recovering addicts he ran in Riposto.

Fides also noted that the numbers would be much, much higher if one considered the number of priests, religious and laypeople who died after contracting COVID-19 while serving others as doctors, nurses or chaplains. The Council of European Bishops’ Conferences had reported in late September that at least 400 priests had died in Europe after contracting the virus.

January 1, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief Pope announces yearlong reflection on family, ‘Amoris Laetitia’ starting March 19 VATICAN CITY — As the fifth anniversary of his apostolic exhortation “Amoris Laetitia” approaches, Pope Francis announced that the Church will dedicate more than a year to focusing on the family and conjugal love.

During his Sunday Angelus address Dec. 27, the pope commemorated the feast of the Holy Family and said that it served as a reminder “of the example of evangelizing with the family” as highlighted in his exhortation.

Beginning March 19, he said, the year of reflection on “Amoris Laetitia” will be an opportunity “to focus more closely on the contents of the document.”

“I invite everyone to take part in the initiatives that will be promoted during the year and that will be coordinated by the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life,” he added. “Let us entrust this journey, with families all over the world, to the Holy Family of Nazareth, in particular to St. Joseph, the devoted spouse and father.”

According to the dicastery’s website, the “Amoris Laetitia Family” year “aims to reach every family around the world through several spiritual, pastoral and cultural proposals that can be implemented within parishes, dioceses, universities, ecclesial movements and family associations.”

Goals include sharing the contents of the

apostolic exhortation more widely, proclaiming the gift of the sacrament of marriage and enabling families to “become active agents of the family apostolate.”

Catholic patriarchs urge Christmas hope amid despair in the Middle East BEIRUT — Amid suffering and despair, further darkened by the coronavirus pandemic, Catholic patriarchs of the Middle East urged their faithful at Christmastime to hold on to hope. And in Iraq, Christmas was celebrated as a national holiday for the first time; the Iraqi parliament established the holiday in mid-December on the heels of the announcement of Pope Francis’ visit, scheduled for March.

“For two decades we have celebrated Christmas in an unstable atmosphere, and the repercussions of the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic have deepened it in an unprecedented way,” Iraqi Cardinal Louis Sako, patriarch of Chaldean Catholics, wrote from the patriarchate in Baghdad.

“Despite all circumstances,” Cardinal Sako said, “Christmas remains a source of hope and strength to restore spiritual clarity. The presence of Christ helps us to overcome fear, remain faithful to our faith and deepen our fraternal relationships.”

In Lebanon, its population sinking under the grave weight of the country’s worst economic crisis in modern history, faltering without a government and suffering from the consequences of the catastrophic double explosion at Beirut’s port in August, Cardinal Bechara Rai wrote in his Christmas message: “How much darkness surrounds us ... but the light of Christ is stronger and kindles the flame of hope in us.”

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Familiarity with classical education is preferred, but not required.

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catholicnewsherald.com | January 1, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Blake Britton

I

recently posted an article at Word on Fire titled “How Does a Christian Respond in Time of Social Crisis?” I was encouraged by the reactions and replies, but a number of readers asked if I could more clearly define and articulate the distinction between activism and Christian action, a topic that is multifaceted and perennial, stemming back to the early Church and still relevant today.

It is no secret that contemporary culture is permeated by activism. Our solution to every problem is to do something about it – to create a program, form a committee or lay out tangible steps. But we Christians must be rooted in being before doing. St. Thomas Aquinas provides us with a helpful maxim: “agere sequitur esse” (“action flows from being”), which means what we do necessarily flows from who we are. Some may think this leads to passivity, the negation of action. But it is quite the contrary! Being is the prerequisite of action. Action cannot be suitably taken without a contemplative core. Catholic living is more than just doing things; it is a process of personal conversion and formation.

Perhaps one of the most fascinating interactions in the New Testament is the conversation between Jesus and Judas Iscariot at Bethany. After “a woman” (John identifies her as Mary, the sister of Martha) anoints the feet of Christ with costly perfume, Judas turns to the Lord and asks, “Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor” (Matt.

26:6-13). In fact, the Gospel writers have Judas specifying the exact monetary worth of this waste (“three-hundred denarii”; see Mark 14:5 and John 12:5).

Jesus’ response seems both curt and unexpected: “Why do you trouble the woman? ... The poor will always be with you, but you will not always have Me” (Matt. 26:10-11). One would expect Jesus, a proven champion of the poor and a warrior against injustice, to commend His Apostle for being conscious of those on the peripheries. Instead, Judas is scolded for his disapproving remarks.

This passage is key to our considerations.

In it, we see the Lord establishing a precedent of Christian living. Just as He used Mary to reveal the “better part” to her sister Martha in their village-home at Bethany (see Luke 10:38-42), so now He uses Mary once again, in the same town, to reveal the “better part” to His disciples and persecutors. The message is clear: to serve is right and good, but it must be

How Christian action is distinct from mere activism

preceded by sitting at the feet of Jesus. Mary recognized this; Judas did not.

When we know Christ intimately and love Him, we learn what it means to be poured out like a libation for the sake of others. This is why work must be rooted in and organically flow from our abiding with Christ. Hans Urs von Balthasar affirms this point lucidly in his book “Love Alone Is Credible”: “Prayer, both ecclesial and personal prayer ... ranks higher than all action, not in the first place as a source of psychological energy (‘refueling,’ as they say today), but as the act of worship and glorification that befits love, the act in which one makes the most fundamental attempt to answer with selflessness and

of Bethany, by sitting at the feet of the Master in silence and stillness. This is why the Desert Fathers asserted that every Christian is called to be a “monk” (“monos”/”monakhos”), one who is “alone in solitude with Christ.” The Desert Fathers are not suggesting that all Christians should live in a cave or a monastery. Rather, they are highlighting the fact that all of us are all called to be one with Christ and solely dedicated to Him through contemplation and prayer. Solitude and solidarity with Christ are the prerequisites of Christian activity.

We should never think, “Jesus, this is what I would like to do for you.” Rather, in the spirit of St. Paul, we should say, “Lord,

‘Catholic living is more than just doing things; it is a process of personal conversion and formation.’ thereby shows that one has understood the divine proclamation. It is as tragic as it is ridiculous to see Christians today giving up this fundamental priority.”

Josef Pieper echoes these sentiments emphasizing that “an activity which is meaningful in itself ... cannot be accomplished except with an attitude of receptive openness and attentive silence.”

In other words, we cannot legitimately accomplish a meaningful Christian activity unless it begins with prayerful contemplation. Our first and most significant duty as Christians is not to make fiery speeches, open soup kitchens, or organize a march. Rather, every visible expression of faith should be based on a more central relationship– namely, an intimate communion with the living God. Thus, before we ask, “What should I do?” we need to ask, “Have I truly encountered Christ? Am I praying daily and spending time in silence with the Lord? Am I participating in the sacramental life of the Church? When was the last time I went to Eucharistic Adoration or confession?” We see in these questions a consciousness informed by authentic discipleship; a longing to know the Lord and heed His voice. An obedient (from “obedire,” “to listen”) disposition toward the will of God must become our fundamental orientation.

One is molded for service, like St. Mary

what would You have me do?” (Acts 22:10).

This subtle paradigm shift from ego-derived activism to theo-inspired mission is key to genuine Christian action. If we do not possess the appropriate posture before the mystery of our “being-called,” discipleship quickly develops into an autonomous, human-driven initiative lacking zeal and divine direction.

Our initial excitement and enthusiasm will quickly dissipate, and our duties will become tiresome, humdrum and uninspired. Soon, we will just be going through the motions.

St. Paul reprimands the Thessalonians for this very thing when he rebukes them for “acting like busy-bodies” (2 Thess. 3:11). The Greek word St. Paul uses for idle literally means “without proper order.” Some among the Thessalonians had inverted the order of Christian logic. They neglected contemplation of the Gospel, resulting in a stale activism, a busyness that produced superficial results.

How many parishes around our country are filled with busy-bodies? How many of our ministries are pervaded by a spirit of activism and functionality while lacking a substantial spiritual center rooted in contemplation of Christ? This is one of the reasons many parishes struggle to attract volunteers and minsters in their communities. Why would someone want to contribute to a parish ministry when it subscribes to the same worka-day mentality as their secular job?

Answering the call of Christ is more than becoming a social or ministerial activist.

Pope Francis makes this clear in the first paragraphs of his apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium”: “The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept His offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. ... I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day.”

Before he talks about going out to the margins or being involved in some form of ministry, the Holy Father avers the absolute necessity of a daily encounter with the living Christ. This encounter is an event to be experienced concretely and personally in the life of the Church, especially through her sacraments. For in the sacraments of the Church, the Creator seeks the creature and makes the creature His dwelling place.

What better example of going out to the peripheries is there than this?

By no means am I calling for a suppression of zeal for social justice or ministry.

“Whatever you do for the least of my people that you do unto me” (Matt. 25:40), and “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). These mandates of Christ remain, and will always stand as the full expression of one’s genuine encounter with the Lord.

However, love of neighbor must be rooted in love of God. A dull blade pierces nothing, no matter how adamantly it is wielded. Only the blade beaten and forged in the furnace of contemplation proves effective. As St. Bonaventure so beautifully reminds us in his classic work “The Soul’s Journey Into God”: The fire is God and His furnace is Jerusalem (the Church) and Christ enkindles it in the heart of His burning passion May we subject the steel of our souls to this “burning passion” so that it may gild us into effective minsters. Only then can we become authentic missionary disciples and effectively redeem the culture.

FATHER BLAKE BRITTON serves in the Diocese of Orlando, Fla. This commentary first appeared on the Word on Fire blog, online at www.wordonfire.org.

My brothers and sisters

T

he next time that you are in church, look around you.

Here are Jesus’ sisters and brothers. Here is the family of Jesus. Thank about it. Better yet, pray about it.

Here’s a suggested prayer: Lord, it is incredible that You call me “brother.” You call me “sister.” You know my name. You speak my name, just as you said, “Mary,” to Mary Magdalene on that Resurrection Day. You invite me to touch You with my heart and mind, just as You invited Thomas to touch Your wounds with his finger. Then You say to each of us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (John 20:29).

Give me the grace – give each of us the grace – to be

true sisters and brothers to you.

Help us to do the will of Your heavenly Father.

Help us more and more to take on the family resemblance that as Your Body on earth, others might experience Your love and come to You. Help us truly

Jesuit Father John Michalowski

to be Your hands, Your voice and Your heart in the world.

St. Augustine, in speaking about the Eucharist, has Jesus say to each of us: “I am your food, but instead of my being changed into You, it is You who will be transformed into me.” May we become whom You call us to be.

“Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Amen.

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

January 1, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

23

Matt Nelson

T

Mary: ‘The daughter of Eve unfallen’

he biblical view of Mary is that she has been specially set apart by God in the order of grace.

Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, was one of the first to affirm this when she proclaimed Mary’s blessedness upon her visitation: “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:41-42) This Christmas season, it is prime time for us to get reacquainted with the mother of our Lord and reflect on some of the reasons why she is considered “blessed among women.” One reason that the Virgin Mary is set apart from all other women is because of the weight of her “yes” to God’s plan – and because of God’s “yes” to her. Following her consent to bear the Christ Child in her womb, her flesh was united with the body of Christ in the most literal sense. No other woman will ever experience this kind of union with Christ, this motherwith-child communion. Clearly, by this fact alone, Mary is blessed among women.

To steal a phrase from Einstein: God does not play dice. Mary was not randomly endowed with her maternal role. Rather, from all of eternity, she was chosen by God for the task. She was favored by God to bear Him, to raise Him, to laugh with Him, to suffer with Him. The apologetic point here can be deceivingly simple: If God has honored Mary so singularly, shouldn’t we? If we are to reverence the mothers of our friends and relatives, shouldn’t we reverence the mother of our Lord?

And Mary is also our spiritual mother, because of her co-operative role in bringing into this world the Savior who would make it possible for man to be “born again.” The fathers of the Second Vatican Council put it this way: “In a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the Savior’s work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a mother to us in the order of grace.” (“Lumen Gentium,” 61) This spiritual motherhood is hinted at in John’s Gospel when Jesus speaks the words “Woman, behold your son” to Mary, who stands at the foot of the cross with John. “Behold your mother,” He then says to the beloved disciple (19:26-27). And as our Lord speaks these words in a literal sense to Mary and John, He speaks them in a spiritual sense to the Church throughout the ages. Thus St. Augustine would affirm: “That one woman is both mother and virgin, not in spirit only but even in body. In spirit she is mother, not of our head, who is our Savior Himself – of whom all, even she herself, are rightly called children of the Bridegroom – but plainly she is the mother of us who are His members.” (“Holy Virginity,” 6:6) She can be the Mother of the Church because, as the Church’s Sacred Tradition holds, from the first moment of her existence Mary was endowed by God with perfect sanctity. In 1854 Pope Pius IX declared in the papal bull Ineffabilis Deus: “We declare, pronounce and define that the doctrine which asserts that the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, was preserved free from every stain of original sin is a doctrine revealed

by God.” Pope Pius IX’s dogmatic declaration was not a 19thcentury invention pulled out of a hat. Its purpose was to affirm in an official and formal way, as all ex cathedra statements do, a long-existing tradition passed down since the age of the Apostles.

Now, it is true that St. Paul wrote in his epistle to the Romans that “all have sinned” (Rom 3:23). But on a closer reading, the reference here emerges as to personal sin – that is, sin which is done rather than inherited. (Original sin is dealt with two chapters later in Paul’s epistle.)

So then, have all sinned? In general, yes. But there are exceptions – beginning with Jesus Himself !

We can count other examples, too, like infants and the severely disabled, who lack the sufficient degrees of knowledge and consent which are required to count as a “personal” offense against God. And there are other biblical exceptions. Indeed, Mary is not the first woman in the Scriptures to be conceived without sin: think of Eve, the mother of humanity, who was created free of sin – but eventually fell by disobedience. Unlike Eve, Mary did not fall.

Steeped in the writings of the early Church Fathers and drawing from their reflections on Mary, St. John Henry Newman, a convert from Anglicanism, fittingly called the mother of Jesus “the daughter of Eve unfallen.” Indeed, the earliest Church Fathers hinted at Mary’s sinlessness in their writings when they alluded to Mary, implicitly and explicitly, as the second or new Eve. St. Irenaeus, for example, writes in the second century that “the knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. What the virgin Eve had bound in unbelief, the Virgin Mary loosed through faith” (“Against Heresies,” 3:22:24).

The later Church Fathers conveyed the blessedness of Mary even more explicitly. Consider the words of St. Ephrem in the fourth century: “You alone and your Mother are more beautiful than any others, for there is no blemish in you nor any stains upon your Mother.

Who of my children can compare in beauty to these?” (“Nisibene Hymns,” 27:8) Even Martin Luther believed that Mary had received special graces from God, professing these words in a 1527 sermon: “It is a sweet and pious belief that the infusion of Mary’s soul was effected without original sin; so that in the very infusion of her soul she was also purified from original sin and adorned with God’s gifts, receiving a pure soul.” (“On the Day of the Conception of the Mother of God”) Of course, this recognition began with the biblically unique greeting of the angel Gabriel: “Hail, full of grace” (Luke 1:28). He greeted Mary with a title – and an angel never speaks anything but exactly what God wants him to speak. This explains why Mary in all her humility “was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be” (Luke 1:29).

If an archangel of God greets Mary with such reverence, should we not also? Most of us already do. But a small reminder never hurts. Aside from meditating on Sacred Scripture, then, one of the best ways we can reflect on the life of the Blessed Virgin is to return to the writings of the early Christians.

They were the closest in time to Mary and the disciples (indeed some of them were disciples of the disciples) and although their writings were not inspired, they serve as a kind of historical and theological extension of the New Testament, providing for us further context and commentary.

At the very least we should remember, as St. Ambrose did in his commentary on holy virginity, that Mary’s life “is like a mirror reflecting the face of chastity and the form of virtue.” We have ample reason to believe that Mary is a perfect model of obedience and humility, and so we can do no better than to reflect on her life, though but for the grace of God she would have been conceived in sin and unfit to be Christ’s mother and ours. Nobody has understood our dependence on God’s grace greater than she whose sweet voice proclaimed in the home of Elizabeth: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.” (Luke 1:47-48) MATT NELSON is a husband, father, chiropractor and author who lives in Saskatchewan, Canada. He is also the assistant director of Word on Fire Institute, where this commentary was originally published.

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