April 14, 2023

At a glance

April 14, 2023

Volume 32 • NUMBER 14

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

INDEX

5

things you need to know this week

CELEBRATE SAINTLY FEMMES OF FRANCE

April is full of feast days and other important dates connected with saintly women. Two from France are St. Joan of Arc, a pious military leader and martyr who was beatified on April 11, 1909, and St. Bernadette Soubirous, the Lourdes visionary whose feast day is April 16. Honor these holy women by praying the rosary and seeking to emulate their courage and faithfulness.

READ THE DIARY OF ST. FAUSTINA KOWALSKA

St. John Paul II canonized St. Faustina Kowalska, the humble Polish nun who brought Jesus’ message of Divine Mercy to the world, on April 30, 2000. In honor of this important moment and Divine Mercy Sunday on April 16, read more about St. Faustina’s life and visions in “Divine Mercy in My Soul: The Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska.” Find a copy at your favorite bookseller or your parish library.

MEET THE MIRACLE WORKER OF MONTEPULCIANO

STAFF

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St. Agnes of Montepulciano, whose feast day is April 20, was born in 13th-century Tuscany and entered the local monastery at age 9. She went on to govern a Dominican monastery in Porceno at age 14 and founded another at Montepulciano. She was known as a miracle worker, expelling demons and bringing back to life a boy who had drowned. It was said that she had visions of the Virgin Mary and that in her visions angels gave her Communion. For more: www.catholicmagazine.news/st-agnesof-montepulciano-abbess-mystic-andwonderworker

GET THE RECIPE FOR A GODLY LIFE FROM AN ITALIAN-AMERICAN MOM Syndicated talk-show host Teresa Tomeo brings readers the wit and wisdom from her mother Rosie, “a street-smart theologian” from Jersey City, in her book “Everything’s Coming up Rosie” from

Diocesan calendar of events

ENTERTAINMENT

ARTS AT THE ABBEY ‘WIT & WISDOM

– MUSIC OF SHAKESPEARE’S TIME’: 8 p.m. Monday, April 24, at the Abbey Basilica, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road, Belmont. Arts at the Abbey closes the season with “Wit & Wisdom – Music from Shakespeare’s time” in celebration of the 400th anniversary of publishing the First Folio of most of the plays. The free concert will feature songs and dances that were in the plays or were popular at the time, including works by Dowland, Byrd, Morley and Hume.

ANNUAL VINEYARD OF HOPE

FUNDRAISER : 6-9 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at Sonesta Charlotte Executive Park Hotel, 5700 Westpark Dr., Charlotte. This year’s fundraiser promises to be a spirited event, with elevated Southern cuisine at tasting stations throughout the venue, a hosted bar, a DJ for dancing, and a brief program to highlight the extensive work Catholic Charities does in the community. Registration is free but required. For details, visit www.ccdoc.org/voh.

ESPAÑOL

HORA SANTA : 7-8 p.m. Todos los jueves del mes con excepción de los primeros jueves. En la Capilla del segundo piso, Family Life Center en St. Patrick, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte.

PRAYER SERVICES

HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST

LUKE MISSION (UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH) : Divine Liturgy (Mass) at 3 p.m. Sundays at St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden. For details, email ucmcanton@gmail.com.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING

PROTECTING CHILDREN: Protecting God’s Children (Protegiendo a los Niños de Dios) workshops educate parish volunteers to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse. For details, contact your parish office. To register for online training, go to www. virtus.org. Upcoming workshops:

MOCKSVILLE: Noon Sunday, April 23, St. Francis of Assisi Church , 862 Yadkinville Road (en Español)

Sophia Institute Press. Discover 10 no-nonsense tips for cultivating virtue that are accessible and often humorous. Readers will learn how to “awfa (offer) it up” and put things “at the foot of the Crawse (Cross).” To order this April 18 release, visit www.sophiainstitute.com

TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT THE HOLINESS OF MARRIAGE

In “One Holy Marriage” from TAN Books, Katie Warner brings to life the beauty of an ordinary man and woman who fall extraordinarily in love – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Enchanting illustrations by Leah Pumfrey draw in readers young and old to the importance of holiness in marriage and family life. To order, visit www.tanbooks.com

— Annie Ferguson

SUPPORT GROUPS

RACHEL’S VINEYARD: Are you or a loved one seeking healing from the effects of a past abortion? Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats are offered by Catholic Charities for men and women in the diocese. For details, contact Jessica Grabowski at 910-5852460 or jrgrabowski@rcdoc.org,

TALKS

TENTH ANNUAL EAST MEETS WEST RETREAT: Friday-Saturday, June 23-24, St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden. A program of Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke Ukrainian Catholic Mission, the retreat will be led by Matthew K. Minerd, Ph.D, professor of philosophy and moral theology at Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Minerd, a member of the Byzantine Catholic Church, will present three talks based on his recently published book “Made By God, Made For God: Catholic Morality, Explained.” No registration required. An offering is suggested. For details, email Father Kevin Bezner at ucmcanton@gmail.com.

Upcoming events for Bishop Peter J. Jugis:

APRIL 19 – 10 A.M.

Diocesan Finance Council Meeting

Pastoral Center, Charlotte

APRIL 19 – 6 P.M.

Sacrament of Confirmation

St. Mary, Help of Christians Church, Shelby

APRIL 25 – 6 P.M.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Queen of the Apostles Church, Belmont

Our faith

Celebrate His Divine Mercy

Mankind’s need for the message of Divine Mercy took on dire urgency in the 20th century, when civilization began to experience an “eclipse of the sense of God” and, therefore began to lose the understanding of the sanctity and inherent dignity of human life. In the 1930s, Jesus chose a humble Polish nun, St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, to receive private revelations concerning Divine Mercy that were recorded in her Diary. St. John Paul II explains: “This was precisely the time when those ideologies of evil, Nazism and Communism, were taking shape.

“Sister Faustina became the herald of the one message capable of off-setting the evil of those ideologies, that fact that God is mercy – the truth of the merciful Christ. And for this reason, when I was called to the See of Peter, I felt impelled to pass on those experiences of a fellow Pole that deserve a place in the treasury of the universal Church” (St. John Paul II, “Memory and Identity” 2005).

In his second encyclical, “Rich in Mercy,” St. John Paul II offered an extended meditation on the mystery of God’s mercy, which he calls “the greatest of the attributes and perfections of

God.” He returned to this theme throughout his pontificate.

On May 5, 2000, five days after the canonization of St. Faustina, the Vatican decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter would henceforth be known as Divine Mercy Sunday. In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus promised complete forgiveness of sins and punishment on this day. For how to receive these great graces, visit www.thedivinemercy.org/celebrate.

The devotion to Divine Mercy Sunday grew rapidly after its designation by the pope and is now widely celebrated by Catholics. The Divine Mercy image is often carried in processions on Divine Mercy Sunday and is placed in a location in the church so that it can be venerated by those who attend the Mass.

John Paul II, who died in April 2005 on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, was himself beatified on Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011, by his successor, Pope Benedict XVI, and was canonized on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014, by Pope Francis.

— USCCB

How to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy was given to St. Faustina with this promise: “Encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given you” (Diary, 1541). “Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. … Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy” (Diary, 687). The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed using a rosary:

STEP 1: Begin with the Sign of the Cross, then say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and the Apostles Creed. An optional opening prayer is: “You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.” Then repeat three times: “O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!”

STEP 2: Then on the beads where with the rosary you would pray an Our Father, say the following: “Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”

STEP 3: On each of the 10 Hail Mary beads, say the following: “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all five decades.

STEP 4: Conclude by saying the following three times: “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” An optional closing prayer is: “Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.”

‘Keyboard warriors’ don’t evangelize, they just argue

Sharing the Gospel requires literally “going out,” witnessing to the joy of faith in person and not just sitting at home, being “keyboard warriors” who argue with others online, Pope Francis said.

“One does not proclaim the Gospel standing still, locked in an office, at one’s desk or at one’s computer, arguing like ‘keyboard warriors’ and replacing the creativity of proclamation with copy-andpaste ideas taken from here and there,” the pope said April 12 during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square. The pope continued his series of talks about “evangelical zeal,” looking at how that differs from pretending to share the Gospel while really just seeking attention or pushing one’s own ideas.

At the end of the audience, Pope Francis noted that April 11 was the 60th anniversary of St. John XXIII’s encyclical, “Pacem in Terris” (“Peace on Earth”). The encyclical, he said, offered humanity “a glimpse of serenity in the midst of dark clouds” of high tension between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The document, published in 1963, is as relevant as ever, Pope Francis said, reading one line as an example: “Relations between states, as between individuals, must be regulated not by armed force, but in accordance with the principles of right reason: the principles, that is, of truth, justice and vigorous and sincere co-operation.”

The pope focused on the need for missionary disciples to be ready to set out and to be open to exploring new paths, sharing the Gospel through word and deed. Departing from his prepared text, Pope Francis told people in the square, “I exhort you to be evangelizers who move, without fear, who go forward to share the beauty of Jesus, the newness of Jesus, who changes everything.”

The pope imagined someone replying, “Yes, father, He changed the calendar because now we count years as ‘before Jesus’” and after. But, even more, the pope said, Jesus “changes one’s heart.”

Daily Scripture readings

;

APRIL 23-29

Sunday: Acts 2:14, 22-33, 1 Peter 1:17-

13:13-25, John 13:16-20; Friday: Acts 13:26-33, John 14:1-6; Saturday: Acts 13:4452, John 14:7-14

“Are you willing to let Jesus change your heart? Or are you a lukewarm Christian, who doesn’t move? Think about it. Are you enthusiastic about Jesus and go forward? Think about it,” he said. “A herald is ready to go and knows that the Lord passes by in a surprising way,” the pope said, so one cannot be “fossilized” by human calculations about what is likely to be successful or by thoughts that “it has always been done this way.” Being a missionary disciple means “not letting pass by the opportunities to promulgate the Gospel of peace, that peace that Christ knows how to give more and better than the world gives.”

Pope Francis

Bishop Jugis announces new pastoral priorities for the diocese

PASTORAL PRIORITIES

Catholics and communities across the Diocese of Charlotte may notice a shift or renewed emphasis on certain priorities of the Church, as Bishop Peter Jugis announces an ambitious agenda following more than 400 listening sessions with the faithful during last year’s diocesan synod.

In a letter to the faithful read during Masses on April 16, the second Sunday of Easter, Bishop Jugis touches on “busy lives bombarded by distracting and worldly messages” and calls for increased unity, outreach and focus on the Holy Eucharist –especially important in an ever-growing diocese that now has more than 500,000 Catholics.

The bishop has instructed priests throughout the diocese to join him in committing to six pastoral priorities, spelled out below, after reflecting on testimonies and needs highlighted during the diocesan synod, or assembly, held in conjunction

last year with the worldwide synod convened by Pope Francis. More than 7,000 Catholics participated in the diocesan synod from October 2021 to June 2022, prayerfully listening to the Holy Spirit and to one another and speaking out on the theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.”

The synod included listening sessions in five languages among 76 parishes, 19 schools, nearly every diocesan ministry and office, St. Joseph College Seminary, 16 lay associations and groups, and more – culminating with a report published June 30, 2022, and sent to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The bishop’s letter serves as a special Easter message, presented on Divine Mercy Sunday, which celebrates Christ’s gift of mercy and love through His death and resurrection:

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Christ, our hope, has risen. Peace be with you.

Like Thomas in today’s Gospel, surrounded by a world of doubts and uncertainties, we have experienced the Lord in our midst, and proclaim with Easter joy, “My Lord and my God!”

This past year Pope Francis invited us to participate in a global synodal process in which we shared our faith, fears, hopes, and concerns. Although the national Catholic participation rate was only slightly above 1%, the Diocese of Charlotte exceeded the national average. After prayerful discernment and having listened to the lay faithful and the clergy of the diocese, I would like to share with you six pastoral priorities moving forward.

First and foremost, I earnestly desire all to renew and anchor their lives in the Most Holy Eucharist. Busy lives bombarded by distracting and worldly messages can only truly find the peace for which they yearn in the paschal mystery.

Second, while strengthening our communion with Christ, we must in turn allow Him to strengthen the communion within our families and the Church. Unlike the secular world in which we live, the Church cannot allow herself to be fractured by partisanship. The forces that seek to divide are not greater than the Holy Spirit who unites. We must follow Our Lord who prayed at the Last Supper, “that they may be one, as we are one.”

Third, as a family of faith we must inspire the youth to find their home in the Church. Inherently drawn to authenticity, it is our responsibility to speak to the meaning of a true Christian life.

Fourth, in a time of moral confusion, we must inspire lives of personal holiness highlighting the beauty of chaste love.

Fifth, we must learn to proclaim the faith in a digital age, that we may better evangelize a culture teeming with secular and contrary messages.

Sixth, we must meet the challenges of an ever-growing diocese. In just 50 years the Diocese of Charlotte has grown from 34,000 Catholics in 75 parishes to more than 500,000 Catholics in 92 parishes and missions spread across 46 counties.

As a diocesan family, relying upon the grace and mercy of God, I ask for your help as I shepherd the diocese to meet the challenges of our day. Finally, I entrust these pastoral priorities to the maternal care of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God, our diocesan patroness.

May the peace and joy of Easter be with you all.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Bishop of Charlotte April 16, 2023

Obispo Jugis anuncia nuevas prioridades pastorales para la diócesis

PRIORIDADES PASTORALES

Renovar y anclar nuestras vidas en LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA Aprovechar nuestra comunión con Cristo para fortalecer LA COMUNIÓN de la Iglesia y la familia

Los católicos y las comunidades de toda la Diócesis de Charlotte han podido notar un cambio o un énfasis renovado en algunas prioridades de la Iglesia, ya que el Obispo Peter Jugis anuncia una ambiciosa agenda después de haberse realizado más de 400 sesiones de escucha con los fieles durante el sínodo diocesano del año pasado.

En una carta a los fieles leída durante las Misas del 16 de abril, segundo domingo de Pascua, el Obispo Jugis aborda el tema de las “vidas ocupadas, bombardeadas por mensajes mundanos y de distracción” y pide una mayor unidad, alcance y enfoque en la Sagrada Eucaristía, sacramento especialmente importante en una diócesis en constante crecimiento que ahora tiene más de 500,000 católicos.

El obispo ha instruido a los sacerdotes de toda la diócesis para que se unan a él y se comprometan en seis prioridades pastorales, que se detallan a continuación, después de reflexionar sobre los testimonios y las necesidades resaltadas durante el sínodo diocesano, o asamblea,

celebrado conjuntamente con el sínodo mundial convocado por el Papa Francisco.

Más de 7.000 católicos participaron en el sínodo diocesano de octubre de 2021 a junio de 2022, escuchando en oración al Espíritu Santo, unos a otros y conversando sobre el tema “Por una Iglesia sinodal: comunión, participación y misión”.

El sínodo incluyó sesiones de escucha en cinco idiomas en 76 parroquias, 19 escuelas, casi todos los ministerios y oficinas diocesanas, el Seminario Universitario San José, 16 asociaciones y grupos laicos, y más, culminando con un informe publicado el 30 de junio de 2022 y enviado a la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos.

La carta del obispo sirve como un mensaje especial de Pascua, presentado el Domingo de la Divina Misericordia, que celebra el don de la misericordia y amor de Cristo a través de su muerte y resurrección:

Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, Cristo, nuestra esperanza, ha resucitado. La paz sea con ustedes. Como Tomás en el Evangelio de hoy, rodeados de un mundo de dudas e incertidumbres, hemos experimentado la presencia del Señor en medio de nosotros, y proclamamos con alegría pascual: “¡Señor mío y Dios mío!”.

Inspirar a los JÓVENES a encontrar su hogar en la Iglesia Inspirar vidas de SANTIDAD PERSONAL destacando la belleza del amor casto EVANGELIZAR más efectivamente en la era digital

El año pasado, el Papa Francisco nos invitó a participar en un proceso sinodal mundial en el que compartimos nuestra fe, temores, esperanzas y preocupaciones. Aunque la tasa de participación católica nacional fue sólo ligeramente superior al 1 por ciento, la Diócesis de Charlotte superó el promedio nacional. Después de un discernimiento en oración y de haber escuchado a los fieles laicos y al clero de la diócesis, me gustaría compartir con ustedes seis prioridades pastorales para seguir nuestro camino adelante.

En primer lugar, deseo sinceramente que todos renueven y fijen sus vidas en la Santísima Eucaristía. Las vidas ocupadas, bombardeadas por mensajes mundanos y que distraen, sólo pueden encontrar verdaderamente la paz que anhelan en el misterio pascual.

Segundo, mientras fortalecemos nuestra comunión con Cristo, debemos permitirle fortalecer la comunión dentro de nuestras familias y la Iglesia. A diferencia del mundo secular en el que vivimos, la Iglesia no puede permitirse ser fracturada por el partidismo. Las fuerzas que buscan dividir no son mayores que el Espíritu Santo que une. Debemos seguir a Nuestro Señor que oró en la Última Cena, “para que sean uno, como nosotros somos uno”.

Tercero, como familia de fe debemos inspirar a los jóvenes a encontrar su hogar en la Iglesia. Inherentemente atraídos por la autenticidad, es nuestra responsabilidad hablar del significado de una verdadera vida cristiana. Cuarto, en una época de confusión moral, debemos inspirar vidas de santidad personal que resalten la belleza del amor en castidad.

Quinto, debemos aprender a proclamar la fe en la era digital, para que podamos evangelizar mejor una cultura llena de mensajes seculares y opuestos.

Sexto, debemos enfrentar los desafíos de una diócesis en constante crecimiento. En solo 50 años, la Diócesis de Charlotte ha crecido de 34 mil católicos en 75 parroquias a más de 500 mil en 92 parroquias y misiones repartidas en 46 condados.

Como familia diocesana, confiando en la gracia y la misericordia de Dios, pido la ayuda de ustedes, mientras guío a la diócesis para enfrentar los desafíos del día a día. Finalmente, encomiendo estas prioridades pastorales al cuidado maternal de la Santísima Virgen María Madre de Dios, nuestra patrona diocesana. Que la paz y la alegría de la Pascua estén con todos vosotros.

Sinceramente suyo en Cristo.

Prepararnos para el CRECIMIENTO futuro

16 de abril de 2023

Reverendísimo Peter J. Jugis Obispo de Charlotte

Our diocese

After being closed for nearly six months, St. Patrick Cathedral reopened for Palm Sunday Mass, enabling parishioners to celebrate Holy Week amid the spectacular renovations. While some work remains to be done, the cathedral is not expected to close for any long stretch of time again.

All things made new in Christ

St. Patrick Cathedral reopens for Holy Week, unveils striking renovations

ANNIE FERGUSON & SPENCER K.M. BROWN Catholic News Herald

CHARLOTTE — Hundreds of parishioners processing into St. Patrick Cathedral for Palm Sunday also got their first look at spectacular new features inside the church, which had been closed for renovations for the better part of six months.

Awestruck by the handiwork of artists and craftspeople, parishioners felt more keenly than ever the jubilation of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

The most dramatic changes are new artwork on the cathedral’s rib arches, colorful interior paint, and 24-karat gold leaf, donated by a former parishioner, that spans the arches across the ceiling. The sanctuary wall is now a luminous gold. The renovations also included significant repairs to the roof and walls to address water intrusion.

“It really brightens up the church,” said Hannah Forster, a parishioner at St. Patrick.

“All the detail and painting is just so beautiful. But being back in our church is the best part. It’s wonderful; it’s like being back home again. The church needed this, and we’re so glad Father Roux and everyone made this possible. We’re also glad to be home again to celebrate Easter.”

“We are overjoyed to share the beautiful new improvements with our parishioners,” said Father Christopher Roux, rector and pastor. “After much prayer and dedicated work from our entire team, I am so grateful to reopen our cathedral as we await the Resurrection of Our Lord, who makes all things new.”

The entire inside of the building, floor to ceiling, sanctuary to choir loft, had recently been filled with scaffolding and activity to ensure it was mostly finished by Holy Week, Father Roux said. His only non-negotiables during construction were that work had to cease at Christmas and Holy Week so parishioners could celebrate in their church home.

Many potential delays surfaced, including leaks that popped up after everything appeared to be watertight. Nevertheless, Father Roux said, “I trusted all would work out, and with a great deal of credit to our contractors and artist – we made it.”

Plans for much-needed repairs of the 84-year-old church got under way in early 2022. Leaks in the roof had caused the plaster walls to deteriorate, visibly scarring the cathedral’s interior. The sacristy suffered similar damage.

“We brought in a group of professionals to first determine what was happening, where, and what was causing the damage, and then to determine what could be done to repair it,” said Emmett Sapp, the Diocese of Charlotte’s construction director.

The project began in September 2022, with initial work focused on urgent repairs to the roof and flashing, waterproofing the building’s western façade, and repairing the interior plaster walls. Although additional work remains to be done, Sapp said, it is not expected to require closing the cathedral again for an extended time.

Sapp expects the total cost to be $2.6 million, most of which was paid for through the diocese’s unprecedented “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign that has funded endowments, capital projects like the cathedral, and other needs across the growing diocese.

Jim Kelley, the diocese’s development director who steered the FFHL campaign, noted, “More than 15,000 generous parishioners donated to that campaign, which wrapped up in 2019, and it’s gratifying to see the impact those funds are making – and will continue to make for years to come.”

Retired Father Ayathupadam, key supporter of Charlotte’s Indian Catholic community, dies at 89

KERALA, India — Father Joseph C. Ayathupadam, a retired priest of the Diocese of Charlotte, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2023, in India, aged 89. Over more than 60 years of priestly ministry, Father Ayathupadam had gone with trust to wherever God called him – as parish priest, missionary, hospital chaplain, and devoted supporter of Indian Catholics in the Carolinas. His funeral Mass was celebrated at his childhood parish of St. Sebastian’s Church, in Neyyassery, Kerala, India, on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

Locally, a Mass for the repose of the soul of Father Ayathupadam will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023, at St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, 715 E. Arrowood Road in Charlotte.

He was born on Jan. 17, 1934, in Kerala, India, the son of Chacko Mathew Ayathupadam and Anna (Poovanthuruthil) Ayathupadam.

He attended schools in his home parish of St. Sebastian before entering St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha in Aluva, Kerala – the major seminary for the SyroMalabar Catholic Church, in 1954. Founded by the Apostle Thomas, the Syro-Malabar Church is the second largest Church among the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the pope.

He was ordained a priest on March 12, 1961, at St. George’s Cathedral in Kothamangalam, Kerala, by Mar Mathew Pothanamuzhi, the first bishop of the Eparchy (Diocese) of Kothamangalam, India.

He began his priestly ministry in the Kothamangalam eparchy, serving in parishes there for 13 years. He also earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Karnatak University in Dharwad, India. He then traveled to Eldoret, Kenya, where he served for three years as a parish priest and school principal – missionary work that he described as one of his most memorable as a priest.

RENOVATIONS

FROM PAGE 6

Built in 1938-’39, St. Patrick began as a parish church and was consecrated by Bishop Eugene McGuinness of Raleigh on Sept. 4, 1939. In 1972, when then-Pope Paul VI established the Charlotte diocese, St. Patrick Church was chosen to become the new diocese’s cathedral. Prior to this latest project, the cathedral has undergone significant renovations five times: in 1979, 1996, 2012, 2013 and 2021.

As work progressed during the most recent renovations, new ideas for beautification percolated among Father Roux and the renovation team. North Carolina artist Lisa Autry was commissioned to paint detailed artwork on the rib arches and walls, including the diocesan crest, a Marian symbol, St. Joseph crest, the Alpha and Omega icons (representing the comprehensiveness of God), and the Chi Rho symbol (the Greek monogram for Christ).

At www.catholicnewsherald.com : See more photos of the renovated St. Patrick Cathedral

Autry installed canvas panels onto the ceiling ribs that accented their existing stencil work. The images in the panels were inspired by the cathedral’s stained-glass windows, which are original and depict scenes from the life of Christ. The windows were crafted by a German artist who studied under Louis Tiffany, the famous art nouveau designer and son of Charles Tiffany of jewelry store fame.

Autry said she was particularly grateful to work in the cathedral alongside many other professional tradespeople: “I sat in the space many times and imagined what I would do to add to it. What an honor it is to be asked to participate in the renovation.”

A renowned regional artist, Autry also repainted the Mary, Mother of God statue that toured the diocese for its 50th anniversary in 2022, and before that, she painted murals, gilding and more at St. Ann and St. Thomas Aquinas churches in Charlotte, St. Mark in Huntersville, Our Lady of Lourdes

Church in Monroe, St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly, and Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City, among other projects. She also worked with Father Roux to create a new look for the nave, selecting a soft blue color.

Finishing the artwork and repairs while allowing for plaster to cure was a tall order in just three months, not to mention bringing the scaffolding in and out, Sapp said.

“We went into it with confidence, but at the same time, we knew there would be some challenges in meeting the schedule,” he said. “It took a lot of coordination on the part of everyone involved –the contractor and his subcontractors, material suppliers, the artist, and folks at the cathedral itself.”

Alessandro Landolfa, who served as the project superintendent for general contractor Barringer Construction, is a native of Italy and has extensive experience with plaster, having worked on churches in Europe. Sapp praised his work and that of the Barringer’s project manager Nick Cevallos.

“They were all-stars on a superstar team,” Sapp said. “They did a great job thinking ahead and coordinating every detail. They were in the field every day dealing with the questions, coordinating local activities on campus, and managing all the tradespeople it took to make this project a success.”

Contractors also included Terracon, an engineering consulting firm, to assess water intrusion issues; JLL to serve as project manager; and ForconiBongiorno Inc. to repair the plaster. Remaining work includes additional interior artwork, storm drainage improvements, and exterior repairs to the bell tower and above the front door.

The artisan work and gold leaf were donated by Kenna Custom Painting, in thanksgiving for the spiritual guidance of St. Patrick.

Father Roux was happy to reopen the cathedral doors for Holy Week liturgies in the mother church of the diocese.

“As pastor of the parish, it’s such a great feeling to have our family back in our home,” he said.

“Though we were able to celebrate Mass on site in our temporary chapel during this period, having Mass in our family home is a much more beautiful feeling. We worship our Heavenly Father in a setting which, by its beauty, glorifies Him and raises our hearts and minds to heaven.”

“The poverty and simple faith of the people in Africa inspired me,” he said in a 2011 interview with the Catholic News Herald. “During Mass, you would hear them speak and sing in three different languages, yet they came together as one community.”

From Africa Father Ayathupadam traveled to the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth in Nova Scotia, Canada, and after spending 10 years as a hospital chaplain there, he applied for a job as hospital chaplain in the warmer climate of the Carolinas. He served at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Asheville from 1987 to 1988 before moving to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Parish in Charlotte to serve as parochial vicar.

In 1990, he was incardinated in the Charlotte diocese, where he continued to serve in various parishes: St. Leo the Great Catholic Parish in Winston-Salem, Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Mission in Highlands, St. Joseph of the Hills Catholic Parish in Eden, and Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Parish in Albemarle. In his last assignment before retiring in 2006, he served as pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Parish in Denver, where he oversaw the building of an activity center to accommodate the parish’s growing needs.

Father Ayathupadam was also instrumental in building Charlotte’s Syro-Malabar Catholic community. In the early 2000s, when he was still pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, an informal Malayalee Catholic group gathered under his leadership. From 2000 to 2006, he served as spiritual leader for the growing Indian community in the Charlotte area, occasionally celebrating Holy Qurbana (Mass) at St. Vincent De Paul and St. Thomas Aquinas churches in Charlotte.

After retiring, Father Ayathupadam continued to remain active from his home in Fort Mill, S.C., helping parishes in South Carolina as well as continuing to support the local Malayalee Catholic Community by celebrating Holy Qurbana at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Fort Mill every month until 2012. More recently, he had moved back to India to be close to family.

In 2021, Father Ayathupadam celebrated his 60th anniversary of ordination.

Looking back on his decades of ministry, Father Ayathupadam reflected in 2011 that the greatest part about being a priest was “to serve the people as my brothers and sisters.”

“There is no retirement for a priest because the vocation is life, and we are priests forever until the last breath. And hopefully after that moment we’ll be at the altar in heaven,” he said.

Father Ayathupadam is survived by his sister Thressiamma Joseph; and nephews and nieces: George, Paul, Philomina, Mary, Saly and Gracy. He was preceded in death by his parents and immediate family members Matthew, George, Rosamma and and Sister Angel.

Ayathupadam

PHOTOS BY TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Above) Details of the 24-karat gold leaf and striking icons that now decorate the arches in the nave of St. Patrick Cathedral.

(Left) Before the repair and renovation work, damage to the plaster walls in the choir loft were clearly visible.

A life-changing experience

Bishop McGuinness seniors shadow professionals on the job

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

KERNERSVILLE — What do a surgeon, math teacher, pastor, veterinarian and pediatrician all have in common? A Bishop McGuinness High School senior shadowed each during the week of March 6-10 during the school’s Winterim program.

A seminal experience established in 1974 at the high school, Winterim is a unique job-shadowing program designed to help students discover the path they may want to take in college and beyond. For a week in March, seniors follow professionals in two different fields as they go about their workday. This short winter term ends with a paper and brief presentation to faculty members and peers.

Many professionals in the community are graduates of Bishop McGuinness and are eager to support the Winterim program as mentors because they found it valuable and want to give back, said Dr. Jared Rashford, head of school at Bishop McGuinness. He also noted that the program is valuable because the majority of high school students don’t have the opportunity to job shadow at that age.

“Most often you have to wait until you get to college and you’re really serious about a profession, which is what my experience was,” Rashford said. “This gives our students some prior experience where we’re providing them the support and the structure for how to go about seeking a mentor. They learn these are some of the things you should be thinking about when you’re going to work alongside this person, so when they have these opportunities in college, they’ve already had an experience. It’s good preparation for seeking out mentors after their time at Bishop.”

For three days, senior Timothy Hackman shadowed Dr. Timothy Peters, a pediatrician

specializing in infectious diseases at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Dr. Peters is also an associate dean at Wake Forest Medical School.

Two of the days were spent at the hospital doing clinical rotations. Hackman said the patients they saw included children with leukemia and children with brain aneurysms.

“Seeing these patients was truly a painful experience as it hurt to see such young children so sick,” he said. “On my second day with Dr. Peters, we revisited the same patients we had seen the previous day and got to speak to the parents. The conversation Dr. Peters and I had with one parent will stick with me forever as the raw emotion that parent showed was genuinely heartbreaking.”

Yet something else also struck Hackman in that moment.

“Dr. Peter’s empathy and optimism stood out to me even more during this conversation,” he said. “This taught me that showing empathy and optimism toward people even in the face of their greatest adversities can help them.”

On the third day, they went to Wake Forest Medical School, where Hackman went on a tour, worked on a project with Dr. Peters and researched medical schools. Dr. Peters also helped Hackman create goals and markers for him to meet to be a suitable candidate for medical school.

Hackman also shadowed a pastor and said he appreciated the depth and range of

his work as well but ultimately feels called to the medical field. He said his Winterim experience helped him see that the Holy Spirit is leading him to medicine instead. “I believe my personality lends itself to patient interaction, and I have always loved to help people,” he added.

For the first half of Winterim, senior Chrisbel Alcantara-Varela shadowed bariatric surgeon Dr. James Dasher.

“I was able to go into the OR to watch some of his surgeries,” she said. “I was also able to interact with a couple of patients and saw how much a surgeon can impact someone’s life.”

Charley Chappell shadowed a dermatologist and an anesthesiologist. She said the experience confirmed that she would like to study biochemistry in college and go to medical school.

“It challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and to put myself out there to potential mentors,” Chappell added.

Jenna Haulk spent part of her week at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point. “I had the best experience at IHM shadowing their first- and second-grade teachers,” she said. “They were so welcoming and extremely encouraging to me. And of course, the best part was being with the kids!”

Carol Wiedwald, who teaches advanced math classes at Our Lady of Grace School, shared what it was like to be shadowed by senior Giang Tran, noting that Tran’s questions made her pause and assess why she might do something a certain way.

“It was also a good reminder about the ‘whole person’ teaching we do at OLG,” she said. “Meaning, school is about curriculum, but that is only one piece. Teaching students how to handle frustration, disappointment, confidence, success and other life skills is at the top of the list.”

Winterim is one more way Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte prepare students to reach their goals and live life to its fullest.

Catholic school students to compete in inaugural St. Jerome Book Battle

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Seeking to reveal truth, goodness and beauty to young people across the diocese, the Catholic Schools Office has developed a book competition unique to the Diocese of Charlotte. Soon, students will participate in the first-ever St. Jerome Book Battle.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, April 21, students from Our Lady of Grace, Our Lady of Mercy, Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Patrick, Holy Trinity Middle and St. Michael Catholic schools will compete at the MACS Fine Arts Center at Charlotte Catholic High School.

The battle has two competitions, one for fourth- and fifth-graders and another for middle school students, who have been reading literature from two sets of 15 books. The students will answer questions based on each of the books on the list in quiz bowl style.

Normalinda Hammond, an employee of the Catholic Schools Office and a Catholic school parent of five, was encouraged by Kelsey Blackburn, the librarian at Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro, to get the ball rolling. Concerned about the quality and content of books in other reading competitions, Blackburn expressed to Hammond in the summer of 2022 that it would be great if the diocese had its own competition.

“The idea was to ensure that the books would be well-forming for our students not only in virtue but also in mind, body and soul while not in any way contradicting the teachings of our faith, which is clearly our schools’ priority: to enrich our children’s faith but also educate them to be well-

rounded in all areas,” Hammond said.

Working together with Dr. Daniel Garland, the director of religious education for schools in the Diocese of Charlotte, they invited schools to join the competition, met with school librarians, and created the reading lists.

“Why should we give our students things that are subpar? Why not introduce them to the best and do it in a way that fosters a love for reading?” he said. “More schools plan to join next year, and we’ve invited other dioceses to participate as well.”

Hammond credits the speedy establishment of the program to the intercession of its patron saint. St. Jerome, a Doctor of the Church, was a brilliant scholar and is known for translating the Bible into the Latin Vulgate. He is the patron saint of librarians, scholars and translators.

Hammond also illustrated what reading quality literature, whether classic or modern, offers students.

“‘The Hobbit’ is obviously a timeless

story, and people are interested in it because they’re still remaking it over and over again,” she said. “It’ll be good for students to get their own perspective of what J.R.R. Tolkien wrote and see for themselves, letting their imagination recreate the visuals instead of it being recreated for them.”

Dr. Garland added, “Reading develops the imagination, it develops the mind, and we want students in our age now, who are on their phones or glued to whatever media screen, to go back to holding a book in their hands. These sensory and tactile elements are important. We want them to know what it’s like to sit down with a good book and get lost in it and then discover the creativity that springs from that. You never know what a good book can do.”

No matter the results of the competition, Hammond says reading these books, many of which are challenging, makes all the students winners.

(Top left) Jenna Haulk shadowed first- and second-grade teachers at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point. (Top right) Chrisbel Alcantara-Varela shadowed bariatric surgeon Dr. James Dasher. (Left) Giang Tran observed Carol Wiedwald’s geometry class at Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BY JENNA HAULK, CHRISBEL ALCANTARAVARELA AND JULIA FERGUS

Nothing random about Ella’s Seeds

Asheville student’s project propels her to national science fair

STEPHEN

GUILFOYLE

Special to the Catholic News Herald

ASHEVILLE — Ella Hoffert’s awards and prizes are hardly random.

Yet, they are all about randomness.

The Asheville Catholic eighth-grader’s math project won school, regional, state and special honors at the N.C. State Science fair, and she has made it through the first round of a national competition.

The project was called “Data Seeds.” She tested whether certain programs were

actually producing randomly distributed numbers.

Random numbers are important in statistical analysis, probability theory, computer simulations, digital cryptography and cryptocurrency.

Ella got the idea when she was doing last year’s science project, the classic “Three Doors” problem. Like the old “Let’s Make A Deal” gameshow with Monty Hall, it tests how successful a random sample of people would be at getting the big prize on a second guess after getting the “goat” prize on the first door.

She said it didn’t look like the numbers she was using to test the assumption were truly random.

“They should have been a couple of tenths off, but they were whole integers off.”

That project won school, regional and state competitions for the then seventh-grader.

So, this year, she got sets of “random” numbers from three programs, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets and Apple Numbers, to test their actual randomness.

She wasn’t rating the programs against each other, but she said Excel was the most functional. Google produced the worst sample. Apple produced the best random numbers, but she actually had to enter its results into Excel to score their randomness.

According to the N.C. Science & Engineering Fair website, 417 students advanced to the state competition from nine regional fairs and one virtual regional fair done as a pilot program.

The 2023 North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair was held at N.C. State University on March 25.

In her age group, Ella’s project won the Association of Women in Science award and the U.S. Air Force Award, and she got first place in mathematics, statistics and data science.

“You getting tired of walking up here, Ella?” asked the moderator, Dr. Alonzo Alexander, an N.C. State professor.

About Ella Hoffert

Age: 14

School: Eighth grade, Asheville Catholic School

Class: Science

Teacher: Tracy Landschoot

Hoffert’s family: Parents Stephen and Shawna, one older brother, one younger sister Parish: St. Eugene

Those honors came with awards including a $50 gift card or $100.

Ella was then brought up as one of 16 state recipients of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.

Being one of those 16 allows her to enter the national competition, competing with winners from 300 fairs across the country.

Ella’s entry has already made a further cut, so she is one of 30 finalists who get an allexpenses-paid trip to Houston to compete at

the national final event, which has more than $100,000 in prizes, with a top prize of $25,000.

Her entry looks like many science fair entries, with data displayed on a folding board. It represents a lot of data entry and testing in the computer to show her results. She’ll be bringing her board to Houston.

It’s no surprise, when asked, that she says her favorite subject is science.

But she says she particularly likes it as it is done at Asheville Catholic School.

Her class this year, eighth-grade science, is an “integrated” mix of earth, life and physical sciences, said her science teacher, Tracy Landschoot.

The class is “hands on with a lot of labs. The labs are fun,” Ella said.

Right now she thinks she would like to maybe become a chemical engineer or a pilot for the U.S. Air Force, like her father.

“I want to fly an F-22,” she said.

Her father is supportive, she says, but he is quizzing her a lot to be certain that is indeed what she wants to do. It’s a commitment of more than 20 years, particularly if she goes

to the Air Force Academy.

She said a little prayer to God after she won the N.C. fair.

“To thank Him,” she said. “For giving me my mind and for giving me a great school.”

More online

PHOTO PROVIDED BY LISA VIGUE Asheville Catholic School eighth-grader Ella Hoffert stands in front of her display board for her multiple award-winning science fair project, “Data Seeds.”

EASTER 2023: The journey begins with Palm Sunday

St. Patrick Cathedral parishioners observe Palm Sunday amid beautiful renovations

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — The promise of the resurrection was palpable on April 2 as parishioners of St. Patrick Cathedral celebrated Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Hundreds gathered in the outdoor Marian grotto for the traditional blessing of palms and procession into the cathedral with Bishop Peter Jugis.

The anticipation of the faithful was further amplified by the unveiling of recent renovations to the cathedral (see story on page 6), just in time for Holy Week and the days leading up to Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection at Easter.

Because Bishop Jugis wanted to experience the renovations with his flock, Palm Sunday was also the first time he saw the improvements. He noted the warmer colors, including the luminous new golden hue of the sanctuary as well as the beautiful new design painted on the rib arches.

Bishop Jugis congratulated all who worked on the project, especially Father Christopher Roux, rector and pastor of St. Patrick, who led the renovation efforts.

The blessing of palms and the Palm Sunday procession date back to the earliest Church in Jerusalem. Palm branches have always been symbols of joy and victory, and in Christianity,

as a sign of victory over the flesh and the world, according to Psalm 91:13. The faithful carry palm branches to proclaim Jesus as king, and Palm Sunday celebrates His victory in battle – the battle for the salvation of humanity.

In a brief homily before the procession, Bishop Jugis said, “The palms which we hold today and which we will display in our homes also signify our welcoming of our victorious king, Jesus, who also has defeated His enemies and our enemies. The greatest enemies we face are sin and death. And by his resurrection from the dead. He has defeated that enemy – death – and given us a life that does not end –everlasting life.”

During his homily at Mass, the bishop focused on God’s love for humanity. He said, “Holy Week is a sign of God’s love for us.”

However, he noted that in society today many people have distanced themselves from God’s love.

“Acts of shootings at schools, shootings at shopping malls, destruction of innocent unborn children in the womb, vandalism of property without remorse, indifference toward others, and now on an international scale throughout the world, wars and even genocide – many people are far away from God’s love, inflicting suffering and sorrow on others,” he said.

Yet there is hope.

“Despite all this we celebrate in Jesus the victory of love,” Bishop Jugis continued. “God’s love is not being eclipsed in our society. Thankfully, God’s love is very much still present. The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us, St. Paul writes in his Letter to the Romans. God’s love makes us more human. The love of God is the secret to a happy life because God’s love conquers all.”

‘Holy Week is a celebration of God’s love for us’

Bishop Peter Jugis blesses palm branches in the Marian Grotto at St. Patrick Cathedral and (below) enters the newly renovated cathedral for the first time bearing palm branches to celebrate Our Lord as King.

PHOTOS BY TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD AND PROVIDED BY JAMES SARKIS

Families selected palm branches as they entered St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte on Palm Sunday.

PHOTO PROVIDED

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Parishioners of Our Lady of the Highways in Thomasville process into the church to celebrate Palm Sunday.

The prayers for Palm Sunday were on display at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe.

PHOTO PROVIDED

The faithful celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem at St. Ann Church in Charlotte.

MARKUS KUNCORO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

EASTER 2023: The Chrism Mass celebrates the Church’s unity

This is the Church, and its foundation is firm Annual Chrism Mass brings together priests and faithful across Charlotte diocese

SPENCER K.M. BROWN skmbrown@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Early on Tuesday, the sun streaming through the stained-glass windows of St. Patrick Cathedral, large jars of oil were placed on marble pedestals before the altar. At first nothing more than simple vessels of olive oil, they would soon become something sacred: holy oils to strengthen and unite the people of the Diocese of Charlotte.

The annual Chrism Mass – so named because it is when the sacramental oils are prepared that churches will use over the next year – also brings together hundreds of priests from across the diocese to renew their priestly promises to the Church and their bishop.

“The Chrism Mass is a public manifestation of the local Church,” said Father John Putnam, the diocese’s judicial vicar. “When priests gather around their bishop and renew their priestly promises, and before the faithful, they recommit themselves to the work of Christ. It’s a joyous time to come together for fraternity, but also to celebrate all the good things God does through the sacraments of the Church.”

Bishop Peter Jugis presided over the Mass April 4 at St. Patrick Cathedral, with nearly every priest from the diocese concelebrating in a moment of powerful prayer and unity.

“It is a joy to come together and gather to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and to renew our vows,” Bishop Peter Jugis told the priests during his homily. “But there is an added benefit to this celebration, as we strengthen the bond of our priestly brotherhood and

strengthen the communion of the whole Body of the Church.

“Beyond uniting ourselves to the altar

of Christ and to our daily sacrifice of our priestly mission, we are also uniting ourselves to the whole Body of the Church. This is a very special inspiration to the faithful of the diocese. They see their leaders, shepherds and pastors renew their promises to their vocation, and this serves to lift up and inspire them in their own vocations to Christ,” he continued.

Among those on the altar concelebrating the Chrism Mass were Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor; Father Putnam; Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey; and Father Christopher Roux, rector and pastor of the cathedral.

The priests of the diocese renewed their promises as hundreds of people watched. Then, visibly demonstrating their unity

with the bishop and the Church, the priests all stood during the blessing of the sacred chrism with their right hands extended – joining Bishop Jugis in the prayer of consecration.

The holy oils blessed at the Chrism Mass are used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and anointing of the sick, as well as for ordination of priests and consecration of churches and altars.

“It is a fortifying and strengthening of the whole Church, which is very important,” Bishop Jugis told his fellow priests. “Especially in these times when the faithful are so challenged by the secular culture and its values, which are often at odds with the Gospel. The presence of so many priests, gathered as one body, speaks to the whole Church of the strength and solidity of the Church.”

At the end of Mass, Bishop Jugis concluded by honoring priests celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordinations. With the renewal of promises, Bishop Jugis concluded with an uplifting, powerful reminder to priests that “it tells the faithful and the whole Body of the Church, in a very strong way, that the Church is here. The Church is a firm foundation.”

Milestone anniversaries

Priests who are celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordination this year include:

n Father Richard R. Benonis, 65 years

n Father Edward J. Sheridan, 60 years

n Father Thomas P. Norris, O.S.F.S., 50 years

n Father Dean E. Cesa, 25 years

n Father Peter T. Pham, 25 years

n Father Basile Sede Noujio, 25 years

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

The Diocese of Charlotte is seeking a full-time Staff Accountant for Parish Accounting Services. Areas of responsibilities include general bookkeeping and accounting for parishes, missions and parish schools: monthly close, financial statement preparation, general ledger maintenance and reconciliations, journal entries, accounts payable and cash receipts processing, payroll entries, budgeting, sales tax and year-end tax reporting.

REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• Education with a focus in Accounting, Finance or related field.

• Experience in accounting or bookkeeping, preferably for a parish.

• Excellent computer skills - specifically with Excel.

• Experience with ParishSOFT software - a plus.

Please send resume and salary history/requirements by to: Human Resources, Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203-4003, or email to Recruiting@rcdoc.org The Diocese of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PHOTOS BY TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Priests from across the diocese joined Bishop Peter Jugis for the annual Chrism Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral on April 4, to renew their priestly promises and consecrate the holy oils which will be used in churches throughout the year.

EASTER 2023: The Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Holy Thursday Mass reminds faithful of Our Lord’s unending love

CHARLOTTE — On Holy Thursday, Bishop Peter Jugis and priests across the Diocese of Charlotte celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Holy Thursday liturgy April 6 marked the start of the Triduum, the three holy days that culminate with the resurrection of the Lord at Easter.

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper memorializes Jesus’ celebration of the Passover meal, His washing the feet of His disciples, His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His betrayal and arrest. It also commemorates the institution of the Eucharist, the priesthood and the Mass that we still celebrate today in His memory. Jesus’s actions on Holy Thursday and leading up to His crucifixion on Good Friday illustrate how Jesus loves us

to the end. His willingly offering up His life when He is arrested, tortured and crucified, is an expression of His great love for us. At the end of the Holy Thursday Mass, altars in every church were stripped bare, candles and lights were extinguished, and the Blessed Sacrament was transferred to a temporary altar of repose until Easter – outwardly demonstrating the sense of the Church’s bereavement during the time of Christ’s Passion and burial. Catholics then spent time in Eucharistic Adoration, recalling Jesus’s words to His sleepy disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Could you not keep watch with Me for one hour?” —

Spencer K.M. Brown. Catholic News Herald.

ANNIE FERGUSON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Parishioners pray before the altar of repose at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro.

(Right) Beginning the Easter Triduum, Bishop Jugis celebrates Holy Thursday Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

(Below) The bishop kneels in prayer before the altar of repose on Holy Thursday evening.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JAMES SARKIS

Father Lucas Rossi, pastor of St. Michael Church in Gastonia, leads Eucharistic Adoration after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

ANINA PUCCIO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

PHOTO PROVIDED

Father Jean Pierre Swamunu Lhuposo, pastor of Divine Redeemer Church in Boonville, washes parishioners’ feet at Holy Thursday Mass.

EASTER 2023: Good Friday commemorates Christ’s Passion and death on the cross

(Left) Inclement weather didn’t stop members of St. Joseph Vietnamese Church in Charlotte from participating in the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. Circling the church grounds are massive outdoor sculptures of the Stations of the Cross. Members bundled up from the strong winds and prayed as they remembered Jesus’ Passion and death.

PHOTOS BY TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

ANINA PUCCIO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Father Lucas Rossi, pastor, kisses the foot of the cross during Good Friday liturgy at St. Michael Church in Gastonia.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioners perform their Passion play on Good Friday in Charlotte.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

The theatre troupe at St. Aloysius Parish perform a stunning reenactment of Our Lord’s Passion at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory on Good Friday.

SUSIE BRYSON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD A young girl shows her love for Jesus during the Veneration of the Cross at St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville.

PHOTO PROVIDED

At the Good Friday liturgy at St. Stephen Maronite Church in Waxhaw, parishioners pray before an image of the body of Christ taken down from the cross, surrounded by flowers in honor of His holy sacrifice.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

Students of St. Mark School in Huntersville perform their annual Passion play for Holy Week.

EASTER 2023: Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Bishop Jugis: This Easter, resolve ‘to make a new beginning in Christ’

CHARLOTTE — Easter is a perfect time to make a “New Year’s resolution” to deepen our relationship with Christ, Bishop Peter Jugis preached during the Easter Vigil Mass April 9 at St. Patrick Cathedral.

At Easter, new Catholics are baptized into the Church and every Catholic is reminded of their baptism when they are sprinkled with holy water, Bishop Jugis noted.

Baptism brings new life in Christ, he said, and “celebrating baptism at Eastertime shows the full meaning of Jesus’ Resurrection.

“Baptism joins us to Christ, the Risen Christ, and we begin to experience His own resurrected life in us – turning away from sin, living in His grace, living a new life.”

Just as Jesus was victorious over sin and death through His Resurrection, Bishop Jugis said, “we carry Christ’s victory over sin and death within us.

“We live in Christ, a life of faith and holiness that is destined to last forever.”

“If ever there is a time to make a new resolution, to live faithfully our commitment to Christ and our Christian life, Easter – as we recall our own baptism and the new life we receive in Him – is a great time to make a new beginning in Christ.”

He prayed, “With Easter joy let us celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, who says: ‘Behold, I am with you always, even until the end of the world.’”

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle

(Above and left) Bishop Peter Jugis celebrates the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral, bestowing the sacraments of initiation on catechumens (people joining the Catholic Church), and sprinkling the entire congregation with holy water as a reminder of their own baptism.

PHOTOS BY TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

PHOTO PROVIDED

Father Hugo Medellin, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Charlotte, bestows the sacrament of baptism at the Easter Vigil Mass.

Father José Juya, Hispanic Ministry coordinator at St. Michael Parish in Gastonia, baptizes a little girl during the Easter Vigil Mass.

PHOTO PROVIDED

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

Father John Putman, pastor of St. Mark Parish in Huntersville, celebrates the Easter Vigil Mass, welcoming new members into the faith through the sacraments of initiation.

EASTER 2023: Alleluia! Christ is risen!

More online

At www.catholicnewsherald.com : See lots more photos from Holy Week and Easter celebrations across the Diocese of Charlotte

(Left) Children hunt for eggs outside St. Patrick Cathedral on Easter Sunday after Mass.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JAMES SARKIS

PHOTO PROVIDED

(Above) St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Statesville hosted its annual Easter egg hunt on Palm Sunday.

PHOTO PROVIDED

(Above) Easter Sunday Mass at Good Shepherd Church in King was followed by an egg hunt and reception.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DEACON JAMES WITULSKI

(Above and below) Deacon James Witulski gives a traditional Polish Easter basket blessing at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte. Interest in this year’s special celebration was higher than years past, Deacon Witulski later noted, with more than 200 people in attendance from various parishes.

PHOTO PROVIDED Flowers adorn a wooden cross outside St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa on Easter morning.

(Right) The Paschal candle at St. Mark Church was blessed during the Easter Vigil Mass.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

Obispo Jugis:

CHARLOTTE — La Pascua es un momento perfecto para hacer una “resolución de Año Nuevo” para profundizar nuestra relación con Cristo, dijo el Obispo Peter Jugis durante la Misa de Vigilia Pascual el 9 de abril en la Catedral San Patricio.

En Pascua, los nuevos católicos son bautizados en la Iglesia y cada católico recuerda su bautismo cuando es rociado con agua bendita, señaló el Obispo Jugis.

El bautismo trae nueva vida en Cristo, dijo, y “celebrar el bautismo durante el tiempo de Pascua muestra el significado completo de la resurrección de Jesús”.

“El bautismo nos une a Cristo, el Cristo resucitado, y comenzamos a experimentar su propia vida resucitada en nosotros, alejándonos del pecado, viviendo en su gracia, viviendo una nueva vida”.

Así como Jesús fue victorioso sobre el pecado y la muerte a través de Su resurrección, el Obispo Jugis dijo que “llevamos la victoria de Cristo sobre el pecado y la muerte dentro de nosotros mismos”.

“Vivimos en Cristo una vida de fe y santidad que está destinada a durar para siempre”.

“Si alguna vez hay un tiempo para hacer una nueva resolución, para vivir fielmente nuestro compromiso con Cristo y nuestra vida cristiana, la Pascua, al recordar nuestro propio bautismo y la nueva vida que recibimos en Él, es un buen momento para comenzar de nuevo en Cristo”.

Luego oró: “Con alegría pascual celebremos la resurrección de Jesús, que dice: ‘Estén seguros, yo estoy con ustedes todos los días, hasta el fin del mundo’”.

¿Comprendemos lo que Dios hace por la Humanidad?

P.

Leo Tiburcio preguntó a fieles en Vigilia Pascual

CÉSAR HURTADO

rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Con una Misa concelebrada el sábado por la noche por los Padres Leo Tiburcio, párroco, Hugo Medellín, vicario, y Saúl Londoño, misionero visitante; la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte celebró la Vigilia Pascual y Resurrección de Jesucristo.

La Misa, que contó con la asistencia en el altar del Diácono Eduardo Bernal, dió inicio pasadas las 8:30 de la noche, tras la caída del sol, mientras un fuerte aguacero se precipitaba en la zona suroeste de la ciudad.

El fuego pascual debió realizarse en exteriores, bajo el cobijo de un pequeño alero en la entrada de la Iglesia. Después de encender el Cirio Pascual, los celebrantes, al que abrían paso un grupo de servidores del altar, ingresó en procesión al templo que se hallaba completamente en tinieblas.

Entre cánticos de bienvenida, el fuego del Cirio Pascual fue compartido, y poco a poco

se fueron encendiendo las velas que portaban los fieles, iluminando parcialmente la iglesia.

Tras las lecturas, el Padre Tiburcio ofreció su homilía en la que preguntó a los asistentes si verdaderamente conocen lo que Dios hace por la humanidad.

“Son grandes preguntas que nos hacemos, ¿quién es Dios?, ¿cómo es que existe?, ¿comprendemos lo que hace por la humanidad? Nos quedamos cortos en entender quién es Su persona”, dijo.

Para responder estas interrogantes, señaló, hay que meditar sobre 3 cosas: la creación, la palabra de Dios y la Eucaristía; especialmente hoy que celebramos la victoria de Jesús sobre el mal. El pecado existe, pero no es tan grande como la misericordia de Dios”, explicó.

Luego destacó la dignidad de la persona humana como creación de Dios, y reconociéndose a ella “debemos dejar de ver las cositas negativas que tiene”. Refiriéndose a Jesús, dijo que en Él se cumple que “la palabra de Dios viene de arriba, baja, da fruto y sube nuevamente”.

La palabra de Dios, dijo, purifica nuestra alma y nos revela el misterio del espíritu. Respecto a la Eucaristía, “que acabamos de vivir el jueves pasado la institución de ella”, nos da la gran oportunidad de entrar en comunicación con nuestro Señor Jesucristo. “Una de las mayores tragedias del hombre es que no pueda comulgar”, aseveró.

Finalmente dijo que la oración, que nos muestra Su luz para regresar a Él, para no caer en el pecado; vivir los sacramentales; y reunirnos como comunidad, como Iglesia, viviendo como hijos de Dios; nos ayudarán en la meditación de la creación, la Palabra de Dios y la Eucaristía.

Durante la celebración de la Misa de Vigilia Pascual, 20 catecúmenos recibieron los sacramentos de iniciación. Entre ellos se contaban varios jóvenes y parejas.

Más online

En www.facekook.com/CNHEspañol : Vea fotografías y videos sobre la celebración

En esta Pascua, resolvamos “hacer un nuevo comienzo en Cristo”

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

El Padre Hugo Medellín, vicario parroquial, administra el sacramento del bautismo a uno de los 20 nuevos católicos que recibieron los sacramentos de iniciación la noche de Vigilia Pascual. Varios de ellos esperan próximamente regularizar su situación marital a través del sacramento del matrimonio.

LA PASIÓN DE CRISTO 2023

Grupo teatral de San Luis Gonzaga representó La Pasión de Cristo

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

HICKORY — El viernes 7 de abril, Viernes Santo, el grupo teatral de la parroquia San Luis Gonzaga representó con gran realismo la Pasión de Cristo en el interior de su iglesia ubicada en Hickory.

La representación originalmente iba a realizarse en exteriores, a las 12 del mediodía, en las instalaciones del Centro de Conferencias Católico.

Pese a la lluvia que cayó ininterrumpidamente desde el jueves por la tarde y noche, los organizadores mantuvieron vigente el evento hasta el último minuto, viéndose obligados a cancelarlo poco antes del mediodía por motivos de seguridad y reprogramarlo en interiores a las 3 de la tarde.

Salvando las limitaciones de espacio, el director de la obra, Erick Silva, reordenó los desplazamientos escénicos y condujo la obra de manera fluida.

“Me ha mantenido fija con toda mi atención”, dijo Antonina García, quien asistió con su esposo y dos hijos a la escenificación. “Muy emocionante, muy emocionante. Y para mis hijos, que se han quedado impresionados, ha sido una gran experiencia. Nunca antes habían visto algo como esto. Muy real. En la televisión, en las películas, es diferente”, añadió.

Silva, quien al término de la obra se mostró satisfecho, dijo que “para lo que debimos improvisar he quedado muy contento”.

Respecto a la etapa de preparación, señaló que lo más difícil fueron los ensayos. “Lograr que todos los participantes pudieran coincidir en una misma fecha y

hora fue duro, especialmente por sus diferentes horas de trabajo y otras responsabilidades”.

Debido al éxito de la obra y las felicitaciones recibidas, Silva dijo estar pensando en proponer que el grupo de teatro se convierta en un ministerio permanente y, “hasta que pueda ampliarse”.

Aunque está feliz con la actuación de todos los participantes, Silva destacó el desempeño de Marcos Salazar, actor que representó a Jesús. “Es un joven muy humilde que se encarnó en el papel de Cristo. Creo que nos conmovió a todos”, dijo.

También agradeció la asistencia de un gran grupo de colaboradores que trabajó arduamente el día del evento. “Todo estaba listo para un escenario y tuvo que cambiarse. Sin la ayuda de ellos este éxito hubiera sido imposible”, puntualizó.

En la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte, la actríz que representa a Verónica, también llamada Serafia, muestra asombrada el rostro impreso de Jesús en el paño que utilizó para enjugar Su sudor y sangre.

FOTO PROPORCIONADA

Más de medio centenar de artistas en escena representaron la Pasión de Cristo en la Iglesia San Luis Gonzaga en Hickory. El realismo conmovió a los cientos de fieles que acudieron a espectar esta obra de evangelización, muchos de ellos por primera vez en sus vidas.

FOTO PROPORCIONADA POR LA PARROQUIA

Aproximadamente cinco mil personas apreciaron la representación de la Pasión en la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, abarrotando sus instalaciones en las dos funciones ofrecidas la tarde del Viernes Santo.

FOTO PROPORCIONADA POR LA PARROQUIA Pese a la lluvia que cayó constantemente el Viernes Santo, la parroquia Santa Margarita María en Swannanoa llevó a cabo la representación del Vía Crucis viviente en los jardines exteriores del templo.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

El Obispo Peter Jugis envía su aliento sobre una de las vasijas que contienen los aceites sacramentales que se utlizarán en la administración de sacramentos y consagración de altares e iglesias.

MISA CRISMAL 2023

SPENCER K.M. BROWN skmbrown@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — El martes, temprano por la mañana, mientras el sol entraba por los vitrales de la Catedral San Patricio, grandes vasijas de aceite fueron colocadas en pedestales de mármol ante el altar. Las simples vasijas de aceite de oliva pronto se convertirían en algo especial: aceites sagrados para fortalecer y unir a los fieles de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

La Misa Crismal anual, llamada así porque es cuando se preparan los aceites sacramentales que las iglesias usarán durante el próximo año, también reúne a cientos de sacerdotes de toda la diócesis para renovar las promesas sacerdotales a la Iglesia y a su obispo.

“La Misa Crismal es una manifestación pública de la Iglesia local”, dijo el Padre John Putnam, vicario judicial de la diócesis. “Cuando los sacerdotes se reúnen alrededor de su obispo y ante los fieles, y renuevan sus promesas sacerdotales, vuelven a comprometerse con la obra de Cristo. Es un momento alegre para reunirse por la fraternidad, pero también para celebrar todas las cosas buenas que Dios hace a través de los sacramentos de la Iglesia”.

El Obispo Peter Jugis presidió la Misa del 4 de abril en la Catedral San Patricio, con casi todos los sacerdotes de la diócesis concelebrando en un momento de poderosa oración y unidad.

“Es una alegría estar juntos y reunirnos para celebrar la Sagrada Eucaristía y renovar nuestros votos”, dijo el Obispo Jugis a los sacerdotes durante su homilía.

“Pero hay un beneficio adicional en esta celebración, ya que fortalecemos el vínculo de nuestra fraternidad sacerdotal y fortalecemos la comunión de todo el Cuerpo de la Iglesia”.

“Más allá de unirnos al altar de Cristo, y a nuestro sacrificio diario de nuestra misión sacerdotal, también nos estamos uniendo a todo el Cuerpo de la Iglesia. Esta es una inspiración muy especial para los fieles de la diócesis. Ellos ven a sus líderes y pastores renovar sus promesas, su vocación, y esto los ayuda a inspirarlos en sus propias vocaciones a Cristo”, continuó.

DOMINGO DE RAMOS 2023

Concelebraron la Misa Crismal Monseñor Patrick Winslow, vicario general y canciller, el Padre Putnam, el Abad Benedictino Placid Solari de la Abadía de Belmont, y el Padre Christopher Roux, rector y pastor de la catedral.

Los sacerdotes de la diócesis renovaron sus promesas mientras cientos de personas observaban. Luego, demostrando visiblemente su unidad con su obispo y la Iglesia, todos se pusieron de pie durante la bendición del sagrado crisma con sus manos derechas extendidas, uniéndose al Obispo Jugis en la oración de consagración.

Los santos óleos bendecidos en la Misa Crismal se utilizan en los sacramentos de bautismo, confirmación y unción de los enfermos, así como en la ordenación de sacerdotes y consagración de iglesias y altares.

“Es un fortalecimiento de toda la Iglesia, lo que es muy importante”, dijo el Obispo Jugis a sus compañeros sacerdotes. “Especialmente en estos tiempos en que los fieles son desafiados por la cultura secular y sus valores, que a menudo están en contradicción con el Evangelio. La presencia de tantos sacerdotes, reunidos como un solo cuerpo, habla a toda la Iglesia de su fuerza y solidez”.

Al final de la Misa, el Obispo Jugis concluyó honrando a los sacerdotes que celebran aniversarios de sus ordenaciones. Con la renovación de las promesas, el Obispo Jugis finalizó con un recordatorio edificante y poderoso para los sacerdotes de que ello, “le dice a los fieles y a todo el Cuerpo de la Iglesia, de una manera muy fuerte, que la Iglesia está aquí. La Iglesia tiene bases firmes”.

Sacerdotes que celebran aniversarios importantes de ordenación este año:

n Padre Richard R. Benonis, 65 años

n Padre Edward J. Sheridan, 60 años

n Padre Thomas P. Norris, O.S.F.S., 50 años

n Padre Dean E. Cesa, 25 años

n Padre Peter T. Pham, 25 años

n Padre Basile Sede Noujio, 25 años

Domingo de Ramos atrajo a miles a Nuestra Señora de los Caminos

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

THOMASVILLE — Bajo un sol radiante, centenares de feligreses participaron de la bendición de las palmas y procesión de Domingo de Ramos que se llevó a cabo en el estacionamiento de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de los Caminos en Thomasville.

El Padre Gabriel Carvajal, párroco, estuvo acompañado del Diácono Martin Sheehan, quien proclamó la lectura del Evangelio de San Mateo que relata el episodio del ingreso triunfante de Jesucristo a Jerusalén.

Tras entonar una alegre melodía, los fieles siguieron a los celebrantes que encabezaron la procesión hacia el interior del templo para dar inicio a la Misa en español de 12 del mediodía.

Cientos se quedaron sin poder ingresar a la iglesia debido a su reducida capacidad. Sin embargo, los ujieres los condujeron hacia un salón parroquial donde se había acondicionado una gran pantalla de televisión para que pudieran participar de todas las incidencias de la Santa Misa.

El Padre Carvajal dijo que en el inicio de esta Semana Mayor, “nos preparamos para recordar los sufrimientos de nuestro Señor Jesucristo que nos dieron vida, pero, sobre todo, para celebrar la victoria de esos sufrimientos que son la Pascua, la Resurrección, la alegría del resucitado”, pues “la muerte no tiene la última palabra”.

Recordó la importancia de participar en las celebraciones, “acercándose a sus comunidades parroquiales, haciendo una buena confesión”. Para quienes están en sus hogares, “y por alguna razón no pueden salir, desde allí únanse a la Iglesia Universal ofreciendo sus incomodidades, sus sufrimientos a nuestro Señor Jesucristo y preparándose también para la Pascua”, dijo.

Respecto a los cambios de costumbres frente a la Semana Mayor, señaló que estas fechas, “siguen siendo solemnes, pero nos estamos dejando secularizar, y las costumbres de nuestros abuelos que eran más estrictas se han ido deteriorando”.

Hoy, enfatizó, el reto de la Iglesia Católica es grande ante muchos católicos que tienen una vida sacramental ‘desnutrida’, “un catolicismo light”, por lo que dijo hay que trabajar con el núcleo de la sociedad que es la familia.

Nereida Gandarilla, originaria de Guerrero, México, llegó acompañada de su esposo y su pequeña hija en brazos. La Sra. Gandarilla dijo que la celebración de la Semana Santa le trae “mucha nostalgia y recuerdos, especialmente con la familia”. “Desde niña iba a la Iglesia con mi familia, y participábamos con mucha devoción y convivencia con los papás, con los abuelitos y hermanos”. Otra liturgia se celebró en el mismo idioma a las 2 de la tarde, registrando similar asistencia. Anteriormente, en horas de la mañana, el P. Carvajal ofició una Misa en inglés.

Esta es la Iglesia, y sus bases son firmes

Misa Crismal anual une a sacerdotes y fieles de toda la Diócesis de Charlotte

FOTO POR JAMES SARKIS

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Después de proclamar el Evangelio y bendecir los ramos de palmas, el Padre Gabriel Carvajal, párroco, y el Diácono Martin Sheehan, encabezaron una procesión hasta el interior de la iglesia donde celebraron la Misa de Domingo de Ramos.

(Arriba) La Iglesia Maronita San Esteban celebró la Misa de la Última Cena y lavatorio de pies en Waxhaw.

(Derecha) Imagen del lavado de pies realizado el Jueves Santo en la parroquia San Francisco de Asís en Lenoir. Aparecen el Padre Stephen Hoyt , párroco, y el diácono Stephen Picket. También asistió en el altar el Diácono Darío García.

DIVERSAS FUENTES FOTOGRÁFICAS

JUEVES SANTO 2023

Jueves Santo instituyó mandamiento del amor al prójimo

Después de explicar a los fieles el profundo significado de la renovación de las promesas sacerdotales y de fidelidad a su obispo, el Padre Hoy dijo que para los sacerdotes es un desafío vencer las tentaciones y distracciones en sus vidas. Para ello, señaló, “necesitamos permanecer en la compañía de Cristo”.

A su turno, el Diácono García explicó que el lavado de los pies de los apóstoles tiene que entenderse en su “completo significado histórico”.

El Crucifijo

Mis padres recibieron un crucifijo como regalo de bodas. Era un diseño bastante tradicional, madera de maple ricamente teñida con un corpus de bronce. Una pequeña placa de bronce con la abreviatura INRI colgaba suelta en lo alto. Tan suelta, que recuerdo haberle dado vueltas cuando era niño. Todavía puedo ver los arañazos circulares que causó el girarla. La cruz casi siempre estaba adornada con ramos de palmas secos de la Misa del Domingo de Ramos del año anterior.

Siendo parte de una familia militar, me mudé mucho. Aunque cada casa era diferente, el crucifijo seguía siendo un elemento constante en el dormitorio de mis padres.

Cuando mi madre murió, mi padre dividió sus preciadas posesiones entre nosotros, sus hijos: sus joyas, algunos muebles, algunas cosillas y su fina vajilla. Mis hermanas recibieron la mayor parte de esto ya que eran “las niñas”. Yo recibí el crucifijo. Y ha estado colgado en la pared de cada hogar en el que he vivido como adulto.

Tenía dieciocho años cuando murió mi madre. Ella y yo éramos muy cercanos. Yo era su “chico dorado”. Cuando murió, perdí mi camino. Como se cuenta en Peter Pan, “me caí de mi cochecito” y me convertí en uno de los “niños perdidos”.

Una de las pocas constantes que he tenido en una vida llena de cambios y dolor fue este crucifijo. A lo largo de los años posteriores a su muerte, miraba la cruz y recordaba el consuelo que me trajo cuando estaba creciendo, especialmente cuando estaba con mi madre.

Lo miro ahora y veo más que recuerdos. Veo colgados en mi pared dos profundos símbolos cristianos de esperanza: los ramos de palmas y la cruz.

Los ramos de palmas saludaron la entrada del Señor en Jerusalén para conquistar las fuerzas oscuras que oprimían al pueblo en ese momento. Si abro mis puertas, el Señor puede entrar en la Jerusalén de mi corazón y hacer lo mismo.

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

LENOIR — Siguiendo una tradición iniciada por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, el Padre Stephen Hoyt , párroco de la Iglesia San Francisco de Asís en Lenoir, asistido por los diáconos Stephen Picket y Darío García, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Hickory, lavaron los pies de doce fieles durante la celebración de la liturgia de la Última Cena, el jueves 6 de abril, en el marco de la conmemoración de la Semana Mayor.

Más de un centenar de fieles asistieron a la Misa bilingüe programada a las 7 de la noche. Familias completas, incluso con niños pequeños, acudieron a seguir las incidencias del episodio bíblico en el que Cristo Jesús comparte su último alimento con los doce apóstoles y les lava los pies en signo de humildad. En su homilía, el Padre Hoyt trajo a su memoria pasajes de su vida sacerdotal y recordó también la Misa Crismal que celebró el Obispo Peter Jugis el martes pasado.

“La tradición hebrea era que, cuando los amos llegaban de la calle, los esclavos lo que hacían era traer el agua, arrodillarse, quitarles las sandalias y lavarles los pies para purificarlos. Entendían que en la calle se contaminaban, no solamente del polvito sino de la gente. Lo que hace Jesús es convertir toda esa ley que ellos tenían para mostrar que eran limpios, aunque no espiritualmente, en proclamar que la verdadera limpieza es aquella en la que yo me hago esclavo del otro, proclamando el amor por el prójimo”, dijo.

Luego añadió que con el Jueves Santo concluye la cuaresma y da inicio el Triduo Pascual.

En esta fecha tan especial, aclaró, Jesucristo instituyó la Eucaristía, estableció el orden sacerdotal y decretó, a través del lavatorio de los pies, el mandamiento del amor al prójimo”.

“Jesús se hizo esclavo siendo amo y Señor del universo. Y nos ordena a nosotros a seguir su ejemplo y ser esclavos de nuestro prójimo”.

Al término de la Misa el Santísimo fue retirado del tabernáculo y colocado en un lugar especial fuera del templo para la adoración del pueblo. No volverá al altar sino hasta el Domingo de Resurrección.

Al pie de la cruz, el centurión responsable de la crucifixión pronunció profundas palabras de esperanza: “Verdaderamente este era el Hijo de Dios”. Su culpa y arrepentimiento fueron reemplazados por la fe. Como un “niño perdido”, ocasionalmente miraba hacia arriba y el crucifijo me recordaba que no importaba lo mal que me hubiera portado, pues las palabras que el Señor pronuncia al Padre también son para mí: “Perdónalos”.

Creo que el crucifijo terminó en mi posesión porque necesitaba desesperadamente estos recordatorios constantes de esperanza, dos símbolos que me han estado siguiendo a lo largo de mi vida.

Dios sabía que, de vez en cuando, necesitaría ver los ramos de palmas y recordar que Dios puede triunfar y triunfará sobre las fuerzas oscuras en mi vida.

Dios sabía que, de vez en cuando, necesitaría ver el crucifijo y recordar que los brazos extendidos de Jesús están destinados a abrazar a un “niño perdido” que en algún momento había perdido la esperanza. ¿Qué señales ha puesto Dios para darte esperanza?

EL DIÁCONO SCOTT GILFILLAN es director del Centro Católico de Conferencias en Hickory.

Diácono Scott Gilfillan

“Jesús se hizo esclavo y nos ordena a nosotros a seguir su ejemplo”

En 1931, Jesucristo le mostró su Divina Misericordia a Santa Faustina en una revelación y le pidió que se pintara su imagen; además, le explicó el profundo significado de su misericordia y lo que los fieles devotos alcanzarán a través suyo.

La fiesta de la Divina Misericordia

La Fiesta de la Divina Misericordia tiene como fin principal hacer llegar a todos los corazones el mensaje que Dios es Misericordioso y nos ama a todos, y que cuanto más grande es el pecador, más grande es su derecho a la Misericordia.

En el mensaje, que Nuestro Señor nos hizo llegar por intermedio de Santa Faustina, se nos pide que seamos siempre misericordiosos con el prójimo a través de nuestras palabras, acciones y oraciones, ya que la fe sin obras es inútil.

Con el fin de celebrar apropiadamente esta festividad, se recomienda rezar la Coronilla y la Novena a la Divina Misericordia, confesarse y recibir la Santa Comunión.

La Congregación para el Culto Divino y la Disciplina de los Sacramentos publicó el 23 de mayo de 2000 un decreto en el que se establece, por mandato del Papa Juan Pablo II, la fiesta de la Divina Misericordia, que tendrá lugar el segundo domingo de Pascua. La denominación oficial de este día litúrgico es “segundo domingo de Pascua o de la Divina Misericordia”.

Ya el Papa lo había anunciado durante la canonización de Sor Faustina Kowalska, estableciendo la fecha como “una invitación perenne para el mundo cristiano a afrontar, con confianza en la benevolencia divina, las dificultades y las

Lecturas Diarias

ABRIL 16-22

Domingo (Domingo de la Divina Misericordia):

Hechos 2:42-47, 1 Pedro

1:3-9, Juan 20:19-31; Lunes: Hechos 4:23-31, Juan 3:1-8; Martes: Hechos 4:32-37, Juan 3:7-15; Miércoles:

Hechos 5:17-26, Juan 3:1621; Jueves: Hechos 5:27-33, Juan 3:31-36; Viernes (San Anselmo): Hechos 5:3442, Juan 6:1-15; Sábado: Hechos 6:1-7, Juan 6:16-21

pruebas que esperan al genero humano en los años venideros”.

Sin embargo, el Papa no había escrito estas palabras, de modo que no aparecieron en la transcripción oficial de sus discursos de esa canonización.

Santa Faustina, que es conocida como la mensajera de la Divina Misericordia, recibió revelaciones místicas en las que Jesús le mostró su corazón, fuente de misericordia y le expresó su deseo de que se estableciera esta fiesta. San Juan Pablo II dedicó una de sus encíclicas a la Divina Misericordia (“Dives in misericordia”).

ESENCIA DE LA DEVOCIÓN

La esencia de la devoción se sintetiza en cinco puntos fundamentales: debemos confiar en la Misericordia del Señor; la confianza es la esencia, el alma de esta devoción y a la vez la condición para recibir gracias; la misericordia define nuestra actitud ante cada persona y debemos ejercerla con nuestras acciones, palabras oraciones; la actitud del amor activo hacia el prójimo es otra condición para recibir gracias; y que el Señor Jesús desea que sus devotos hagan por lo menos una obra de misericordia al día.

— Condensado de ACI Prensa

ABRIL 23-29

Domingo: Hechos 2:14, 22-33, 1 Pedro 1:17-21, Lucas

24:13-35; Lunes (San Fidel de Sigmaringen): Hechos

6:8-15, Juan 6:22-29; Martes

(San Marcos Evangelista):

1 Pedro 5:5-14, Marcos

16:15-20; Miércoles: Hechos

8:1-8, Juan 6:35-40; Jueves: Hechos 8:26-40, Juan

6:44-51; Viernes: Hechos

9:1-20, Juan 6:52-59; Sábado

(Santa Catalina de Siena):

Génesis Hechos 9:31-42, Juan 6:60-69

ABRIL 30-MAY 6

Domingo: Hechos 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Pedro 2:20b-25, Juan 10:1-10; Lunes (San José Obrero: Hechos 11:1-18, Juan 10:11-18; Martes (San Atanasio): Hechos 11:19-26, Juan 10:22-30; Miércoles (Santos Felipe y Santiago, Apóstoles): 1 Corintios

15:1-8, Juan 14:6-14; Jueves: Hechos 13:13-25, Juan 13:1620; Viernes: Hechos 13:26-33

Juan 14:1-6; Sábado: Hechos

13:44-52, Juan 14:7-14

IMAGEN CORTESÍA CATHOPIC

Arts & entertainment

‘Love in the Ruins’: Walker Percy’s end of the world

It is funny how one can look back at a most mundane moment and realize just how outrageously pivotal it actually was. For example, during my freshman year in college, I had a work-study job in my school’s library. With my affection for books, it seemed as though I had hit the jackpot with the best possible job. I didn’t anticipate the long stretches of boredom when we were overstaffed, combined with slow business at the circulation desk. But the librarian had a solution: reading the shelves. Idle workers were dispatched to various rooms of the library to read the shelves – that is, to look at the LC numbers and make sure the books were in order.

The best of all areas to be assigned was the basement, where the fiction stacks were housed. It was a playground of temptations. Read a few call numbers, straighten a few books, and succumb to the temptation to open those books that looked the least bit interesting. And if something looked particularly good, spend a few minutes perched on a stool next to the window – yes, there were windows, often open to a cool lake breeze – reading. For a freshman with the moral flexibility to read a book when she should have been reading spines, it was literary heaven.

It was during one of these moments, committing the sin of theft of wages, that I had one of the most significant and intensely educational experiences of my college career. I saw a book called “Love in the Ruins,” with the subtitle, “The Adventures of a Bad Catholic at a Time Near the End of the World.” It sounded promising. I had an intense fascination with Catholicism, and a book about a bad Catholic held promise.

“Now in these dread latter days of the old violent beloved U.S.A. and of the Christ-forgetting Christ-haunted deathdealing Western world I came to myself in a grove of young pines and the question came to me: has it happened at last?” Could anyone read this opening sentence and not be hooked? Here was a book that would not quickly be placed back on the shelf. This was one to legitimately take out and read. All the way through.

From that first reading as a callow 18-year-old Lutheran freshman of the most sophomoric pretensions, I nevertheless knew this wasn’t only a hilarious novel but

something of depth. I was blessed with enough humility to remember this work and to return to it over the years, finding new depth and insight with every rereading. The book remained the same, but this reader grew and found an uncomfortable amount of present reality amid the absurdity. The world of protagonist Dr. Thomas More with his lapsometer is always funny but becoming ever more disquieting as life imitates prophetic art.

Walker Percy was born in Birmingham, Ala., in 1916 to a family of such tragedy that their despair and suicideclouded history resembles a Southern Gothic novel. Percy’s father committed suicide when Walker was a young teen, and his mother died in a car accident shrouded in suspicion two years later. He and his two brothers were adopted by their bachelor uncle Will Percy, who raised

them in the tradition of Southern manliness, scholarship and stoicism. Walker Percy’s first career was as a physician. But after being afflicted with tuberculosis while an intern in a New York hospital and taking a long, quiet recuperation that provided time for reading and thought, Percy chose to return to the South and pursue a deeper longing: the life of a writer. And it was as an adult that Percy (and his wife) converted to the Catholic Church, the faith of many of his Percy ancestors. This conversion of heart is of no small consequence; it is the spiritual essence that makes Percy’s writing more than great. The spiritual life of this man is what sets him apart from other authors who are only skilled wordsmiths and amusing storytellers.

Percy was a prolific writer, a teacher, an astute scholar in semiotics and a keen observer of life in general. It is possible to read Percy’s novels (and essays and articles and other books) with no consideration of the spirituality of the author. That is possible. But when his writings are approached in this manner – the approach I took as an ignorant freshman – so much is missed. The Christhaunted, Christ-graced author who possessed such a superb way with words has something precious to tell us. We need only pay attention and be open to the movement of grace.

When you chat with Percy fans, there is the inevitable discussion of their favorite of his works. Some would say “The Moviegoer,” winner of the National Book Award in 1962. Others might offer “The Last Gentleman” or even the sublime, though disturbing, “Lancelot.” These are great books, deserving of thoughtful reading. But I will always say – and this is not just sentiment talking – “Love in the Ruins.” Start there. Start with “Love in the Ruins.”

Writing in 1980, the great literary scholar Dr. Ralph Wood goes so far as to say, “The novel seemed a piece of zany hyperbole when it was published in 1971. A decade later it reads like palpable prophecy.”

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

Rev. Francis M. Cintula – 2014

Rev. Msgr. Charles Gable – 1977

Rev. Richard P. Hokanson – 2013

Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. Kerin – 2014

Rev. Joseph J. Lash – 1999

Rev. Samuel Orlando – 2003

Rev. Msgr. William N. Pharr – 2008

ELLYN VON HUBEN is a native of Wisconsin and has never lived more than five miles from the shores of Lake Michigan. She holds a degree in art history from Barat College in Lake Forest, Ill. This piece was originally published on Jan. 5, 2021, on www.wordonfire.org. Sponsored

JACK THORNELL | ASSOCIATED PRESS Walker Percy in his yard in Covington, La., in June 1977.

Our nation

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Archbishop, governor call for prayer as Louisville mourns mass shooting victims

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Amid calls for prayer and praise for first responders, officials confirmed that five people were killed in an April 10 mass shooting, Easter Monday morning, at a downtown bank in Louisville, Kentucky. According to the Louisville Metro Police Department, at least eight people were injured, including two LMPD officers, during the shooting at the Old National Bank. The shooter also died at the scene. “My heart is heavy as we learn about another mass shooting, now in our own Louisville community,” Louisville

Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre said in a statement provided to The Record, the weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Louisville, reminding the faithful that amid Easter joy, the cross remains.

“Even with our Easter hope so recently renewed, we have been quickly reminded that we still live in the shadow of the cross, the cross of senseless violence.” He said, “For now, please join with me in praying for those who have died and for those who have been injured and for their families.”

Prayer also headlined comments made by Mayor Craig Greenberg and Gov. Andy Beshear, who appeared at a press conference near the scene soon after the incident. “This is awful. I have a very close friend that didn’t make it today and another at the hospital,” Gov. Beshear said.

“When we talk about praying, I hope that we will.”

U.S. military archbishop: Walter Reed decision to cancel Catholic contract ‘incomprehensible’

BETHESDA, Md. — Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for Military

Services has called a decision by a U.S. military hospital to end its Catholic pastoral care contract with Franciscan priests and brothers “incomprehensible,” and a violation of service members’ religious freedom. On March 31, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland issued a “cease and desist” order to Holy Name College Friary, a community of Franciscan priests and brothers based in Silver Spring, Maryland. The Franciscan friars served the center’s service members and veterans for close to two decades, according to the military archdiocese. Walter Reed is one of several major medical facilities operated within the U.S. Department of Defense and the Defense Health Agency, and so falls within the pastoral jurisdiction of the military archdiocese. According to the archdiocese, the March 31 order directed Catholic priests to halt religious services on the center’s grounds, ahead of the church’s commemorations of the Sacred Triduum. The archdiocese said the contract for pastoral care was “awarded to a secular defense contracting firm that cannot fulfill the statement of the work” required. In comments to OSV News late April 7, Archbishop Broglio faulted those

overseeing contracting at Walter Reed “for not doing their homework on what it takes to ensure Catholic coverage.” The archdiocese has not received a response from the medical center to inquiries placed by its legal counsel.

Federal judge issues ruling suspending FDA approval of abortion pill; legal fight continues

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Texas case that could cut off access to the most commonly used abortion medication has started on a path through the legal system that could quickly lead to the Supreme Court. On April 10, the Biden administration asked an appeals court to allow access to the drug mifepristone while the case continues to play out. This comes after a federal judge in Texas ruled April 7 to suspend the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the medication abortion pill, additionally granting a seven-day pause for his ruling before it would

IN BRIEF, SEE PAGE 23

ASSISTANT CONTROLLER

The Diocese of Charlotte is seeking a full time Assistant Controller. This position supervises three to four staff members and reports to the Financial Controller. Responsibilities include accounting for the Diocesan Central Administration and its affiliated entities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Oversight of monthly financial closings and general ledger entries.

• Preparation of the annual financial statement and disclosures.

• Assist with the annual audit process.

• Coordinate preparation and review of sales and use tax filings.

• Oversee the Accounts Payable process.

• Supervise the recording of cash receipts.

• Participate and assist with annual budget procedures.

• Understand and oversee activities related to Fund Accounting

• Supervise, train, and evaluate staff members.

• Aide in the preparation of various tax returns

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field, CPA required.

• Five Years’ experience in accounting and/or internal auditing.

• Thorough knowledge of budgeting principles and practices, internal control systems, tax related legislation, treasury management, financial reporting methodologies, and of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).

• Strong verbal, written and analytical skills.

• Proficiency with computers, word processing, spreadsheet software, accounting software and Windows.

Please send resume and salary history/requirements by to: Human Resources, Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203-4003, or email to Recruiting@rcdoc.org.

go into effect to allow the federal government to appeal and seek emergency relief. The Good Friday ruling comes amid a lawsuit by a coalition of pro-life opponents of mifepristone, the first of two drugs used in a medication or chemical abortion. The groups are seeking for the FDA’s approval of the drug to be revoked, arguing the government violated its own safety standard in approving the drug more than two decades ago. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk’s ruling marks the most significant abortionrelated court ruling since the Supreme Court issued its Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision last year that overturned prior rulings by the high court making abortion access a constitutional right. If the ruling goes into effect after the seven-day pause, it would issue a nationwide injunction on the sale of mifepristone, as requested by the plaintiffs, which would affect even U.S. states where abortion is legal and the drug is permitted under state law.

Christ’s suffering on Good Friday a call to pray for death penalty abolition, advocates say

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Catholics should mark Christ’s suffering and death on Good Friday with prayers for an end to the use of the death penalty, Catholic opponents of the practice said. Catholic Mobilizing Network, a group that opposes capital punishment, hosted a virtual prayer vigil for an end to capital punishment as

a part of its First Friday prayer series. Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, the group’s executive director, said that “Jesus was a victim of capital punishment. He was nailed to a cross and executed by the Roman state,” Vaillancourt Murphy said. “The death penalty wasn’t an extraneous detail in the Passion story; it was a pivotal plot point. Because of this, Good Friday is a day that every Catholic should be reckoning with the modern sin of capital punishment and our moral imperative to abolish it.”

Philadelphia father makes a kneeling pilgrimage in thanksgiving for son’s deathdefying recovery from cancer

PHILADELPHIA — When his critically ill son Adrian, 7, went into cardiac arrest in October 2022, Arek Szura made a promise to God: “If you let him walk out of this hospital, I will walk from our house on my hands and knees to church to thank you.” Adrian, diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, had been given less than a 10% chance to live after his heart stopped and his body swelled with fluid. But Arek Szura, his wife Izabela, their daughter Alexandra and an army of prayer warriors refused to give up hope; 46 days after his cardiac arrest, Adrian returned home. Now “running around like a crazy kid” as he finishes his final rounds of chemotherapy, Adrian cried as his father completed a 10-block, 40-minute pilgrimage on April 8, shuffling on his hands and knees from the family’s Philadelphia home to St. Adalbert Church. Venerating the crucifix, Arek Szusa said, “It was hard, but I kept my promise.”

Our world Pope Francis’ Easter blessing for Rome, world

On the morning of Easter Sunday, Pope Francis presided over Mass in St. Peter’s Square before delivering his “Urbi et Orbi” message and blessing from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica before an estimated 100,000 people.

“Urbi et Orbi” means “To the City (of Rome) and to the World.” It is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas and other special occasions.

Here is the full text of the pope’s blessing:

Dear brothers and sisters, Christ is risen!

On this day we proclaim that He, the Lord of our life, is “the resurrection and the life” of the world (see Jn 11:25). Today is Easter, the Pasch, a word that means “passage,” for in Jesus the decisive passage of humanity has been made: the passage from death to life, from sin to grace, from fear to confidence, from desolation to communion in Him. In Him, the Lord of time and history, I would like to say to everyone, with heartfelt joy, Happy Easter to all!

May this Easter be for each of you, dear brothers and sisters, and in particular for the sick and the poor, the elderly and those experiencing moments of trial and weariness, a passage from affliction to consolation. We are not alone: Jesus, the Living One, is with us, forever. Let the Church and the world rejoice, for today our hopes no longer come up against the wall of death, for the Lord has built us a bridge to life. Yes, brothers and sisters, at Easter the destiny of the world was changed, and on this day, which also coincides with the most probable date of Christ’s resurrection, we can rejoice to celebrate, by pure grace, the most important and beautiful day of history.

“Christ is risen; He is truly risen!” In this traditional proclamation of the Churches of the East: Christòs anesti! That word “truly” reminds us that our hope is not an illusion, but the truth! And that, in the wake of Easter, humanity’s journey, now marked by hope, advances all the more readily. The first witnesses of the resurrection show this by their example. The Gospels speak of the haste with which, on the morning of Easter, the women “ran to tell the disciples” (Mt 28:8). Mary Magdalene then “ran and went to Simon Peter” (Jn 20:2), while John and Peter himself then “ran together” (see v. 4) to the place where Jesus had been buried. Later, on the evening of Easter, after meeting the Risen Lord on the road to Emmaus, two disciples “set out without delay” (see Lk 24:33) and traveled several miles, uphill and in the dark, spurred on by the irrepressible joy of Easter that burned in their hearts (see v. 32). The same joy that led Peter, on the shore of the Lake of Galilee, after catching sight of the risen Jesus, to leave the boat with the others, to throw himself immediately into the water and to swim quickly toward Him (see Jn 21:7). At Easter, then, the journey quickens and becomes a race, since humanity now sees the goal of its journey, sees the meaning of its destiny, Jesus Christ, and is called to make haste to meet Him, who is the hope of the world.

May we too make haste to progress on a journey of reciprocal trust: trust among individuals, peoples and nations. May we allow ourselves to experience amazement at the joyful proclamation of Easter, at the light that illumines the darkness and the gloom in which, all too often, our world finds itself enveloped.

Let us make haste to surmount our conflicts and divisions, and to open our hearts to those in greatest need. Let us hasten to pursue paths of peace and fraternity. Let us rejoice at the concrete signs of hope that reach us from so

many countries, beginning with those that offer assistance and welcome to all fleeing from war and poverty.

At the same time, along this journey we also encounter many stumbling stones, which make it more difficult and demanding to hasten

Israelis and Palestinians, so that peace may reign in the Holy City and in the entire region.

Lord, aid Lebanon, which still seeks stability and unity, so that divisions may be overcome and all citizens cooperate for the common good of the country.

towards the Risen Lord. To Him, then, let us make our prayer: Lord, help us to run to meet You! Help us to open our hearts!

Help the beloved Ukrainian people on their journey toward peace, and shed the light of Easter upon the people of Russia. Comfort the wounded and all those who have lost loved ones because of the war, and grant that prisoners may return safe and sound to their families. Open the hearts of the entire international community to strive to end this war and all conflict and bloodshed in our world, beginning with Syria, which still awaits peace. Strengthen all those affected by the violent earthquake in Turkey and in Syria itself. Let us pray for all those who have lost family and friends, and for those left homeless. May they receive consolation from God and assistance from the family of nations. On this day, Lord, we entrust to You the city of Jerusalem, the first witness of Your resurrection. May there be a resumption of dialogue, in a climate of trust and reciprocal respect, between

Be mindful of the beloved people of Tunisia, and in particular the young and those suffering from social and economic hardship, so that they may not lose hope and may work together to build a future of peace and fraternity.

Turn Your gaze to Haiti, which has long experienced a grave social, economic and humanitarian crisis, and support the efforts of political actors and the international community to seek a definitive solution to the many problems that afflict that sorely tried people. Consolidate the processes of peace and reconciliation undertaken in Ethiopia and in South Sudan, and grant an end to violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Sustain, Lord, the Christian communities that today celebrate Easter in particular circumstances, as in Nicaragua and Eritrea, and remember all who are prevented from freely and publicly professing their faith. Grant consolation to victims of international terrorism, especially in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique and Nigeria.

Help Myanmar to pursue paths of peace, and enlighten the hearts of leaders, so that the deeply afflicted Rohingya may encounter justice. Comfort refugees, deportees, political prisoners and migrants, especially those who are most vulnerable, as well as the victims of hunger, poverty and the dire effects of the drug trade, human trafficking and all other forms of slavery. Lord, inspire the leaders of nations to ensure that no man or woman may encounter discrimination and be violated in his or her dignity; that in full respect for human rights and democracy these social wounds may be healed; that the common good of the citizenry may be pursued always and solely; and that security and the conditions needed for dialogue and peaceful coexistence may be guaranteed. Brothers, sisters, may we rediscover the enjoyment of the journey, quicken the heartbeat of hope and experience a foretaste of the beauty of heaven! Today, let us summon the energy to advance in goodness toward Goodness itself, which never disappoints. If, as one of the ancient Fathers once wrote, “the greatest sin is not to believe in the power of the resurrection” (St. Isaac of Nineveh, “Sermones Ascetici,” I, 5), today let us believe and profess: “Christ is truly risen from the dead!” (Sequence). We believe in You, Lord Jesus. We believe that, with You, hope is reborn and the journey continues.

May You, the Lord of life, encourage us on our journey and repeat to us, as you did to the disciples on the evening of Easter: “Peace be with you! Peace be with you! Peace be with you!” (Jn 19:21).

CNS | VATICAN MEDIA

Pope Francis waves to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square as he arrives to impart his Easter blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the city and the world”) from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica April 9.

‘Today, let us summon the energy to advance in goodness toward Goodness itself, which never disappoints.’

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what was achieved in that historic passage may be consolidated for the benefit of all men and women of the island of Ireland,” the pope said.

On 60th anniversary of ‘Pacem in Terris,’ pope calls for disarmament

envy and greed. One must have the courage to ‘disarm’ hearts, to ‘demilitarize’ them, to remove poison and resentment,” he wrote.

Pope: Share Easter joy with others

VATICAN CITY — The women disciples, who were the first to meet the risen Jesus, offer a lesson to all Christians: “We encounter Jesus by giving witness to him,” Pope Francis said. The entire city of Jerusalem had seen Jesus crucified on the cross, yet the women who find his tomb empty, run to share the good news that he is alive, the pope said before reciting the “Regina Coeli” prayer with visitors gathered in St. Peter’s Square Easter Monday. The experience of the women disciples is a reminder, the pope said, that “when one encounters Jesus, no obstacle can prevent us from proclaiming him. If instead we keep his joy for ourselves,” he said, “perhaps it is because we have not yet truly encountered him.” Pope Francis also used the midday appointment to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which ended some 30 years of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. “With a grateful spirit, I pray to the God of peace that

VATICAN CITY — The idea that stopping the arms race is essential for stopping war is not utopian but is “healthy realism,” Pope Francis wrote. “Only by stopping the arms race, which takes away resources for fighting hunger and thirst and ensuring medical care for those who have none, can we avert the self-destruction of our humanity,” he wrote in an article for L’Espresso, an Italian magazine. The article, released April 7, marked both Easter and the 60th anniversary April 11 of St. John XXIII’s encyclical “Pacem in Terris” (“Peace on Earth”). After the resurrection, Jesus goes to the Upper Room “where His apostles were gathered, full of fear” after watching Him die on the cross, the pope said. His greeting to them is, “Peace be with you!” “Peace be with you is the greeting we exchange on this day,” the pope wrote. “To truly say ‘no’ to war and violence, it is not enough just to silence weapons and stop the aggressors. It is necessary to uproot the roots of wars and violence, which are resentment,

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Easter proclamation at St. Peter’s Basilica

ROME — An Indiana Catholic deacon told OSV News he was ready to chant the Easter proclamation, or Exsultet, at St. Peter’s Basilica during the April 8 Easter Vigil Mass at which Pope Francis will preside. Deacon Zane Langenbrunner, who grew up in Mishawaka, Indiana, is a seminarian at Pontifical North American College in Rome getting ready for ordination to the sacred priesthood. He was selected to sing the ancient text, which lauds Jesus Christ’s triumph over sin and death in the course of salvation history. The 29-year-old tenor said he is grateful for the opportunity “using the gift of music to glorify God.” The text itself is “a victorious prayer about proclaiming this reality right now: the Son of God, taking flesh for our salvation, (coming) to unite earth and heaven,” he said. The deacon added that singing solo in the world’s “most enormous church” takes an act of faith. “You sing, your voice goes out, and you don’t hear it come

back,” he said. “You have to trust that the sound will get to the place where it needs to be projected. You sing, and the Holy Spirit does the rest.”

Two Catholic Relief Services workers slain in Ethiopia amid Easter Sunday unrest

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Two Catholic Relief Services staff members were shot and killed Easter Sunday, in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, the U.S. bishops’ international aid agency revealed April 10. Details of the murders are still unknown, but the incident comes amid several days of unrest and protests in the region after Ethiopia’s federal government moved to dissolve paramilitary forces. CRS said in its April 10 statement that two of its staff in Ethiopia were shot and killed in a CRS vehicle in the Amhara region as they were returning from an assignment. “The depth of our shock and sorrow is difficult to measure and we are saddened over this senseless violence,” Zemede Zewdie, CRS country representative in Ethiopia, said in a statement. “CRS is a humanitarian agency dedicated to serving the most vulnerable people in Ethiopia.”

— OSV News

‘You sing, and the Holy Spirit does the rest’: U.S. deacon chants

Deacon Matthew Newsome

We pray ‘Thy will be done,’ but what does God want?

Thy will be done. How often do we pray this simple prayer? It is prayed at every Mass. It is prayed morning and evening in the Liturgy of the Hours. We pray it six times with every rosary. It is at the heart of the Lord’s Prayer. After first praising God’s name and before we dare to ask our own petitions, we declare that what we want first, before all else, is for God’s will to be done. But do we know what it is we pray for? What does God want? More specifically, what does God want for my life? How are we to know?

But do we want this for ourselves? And are we willing to do what’s necessary to get it – to walk through the door Christ has opened for us? Accepting God’s will for us, as glorious and benevolent as it is, doesn’t come without difficulties. Before Easter there is Good Friday. Before the resurrection comes the cross. Before life – paradoxically – there must be death. Jesus has a track record of standing our expectations on their head. We think the rich are blessed and the poor are cursed, but He tells us just the opposite. We think the first are first and the last are last, but He says the last shall be first. We think the right order is life then death, but the author of life and the conqueror of death tells us it’s the other way around.

Sister Alicia Torres, FE

If we wonder what God wills regarding the minutiae of our life, or even the major decisions we are called to make, the answer can seem frustratingly elusive. Should I apply to grad school? Whom should I marry? Should I marry at all, or is God perhaps calling me to a different vocation? Should we homeschool our children or send them to public or private school? Should I uproot my family and take that out-of-state job? Certainly these are all questions we should bring to prayer, but God rarely offers a clear and direct answer.

But if we zoom out to look at the bigger picture, what God wants for us is not difficult at all to discern. He tells us quite plainly. He wants us to have life. “I came that you might have life,” Jesus says, “and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10).

A short time after He speaks these words, Jesus demonstrates it in the flesh by raising Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus is four days dead in the tomb. Jesus calls out into the depths of Sheol and says, “Lazarus, come out,” and out he walks (Jn 11:43-44). The raising of Lazarus is but a foreshadowing of the resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday, the first fruits of the general resurrection we will all experience, the unrighteous to eternal torment but the righteous to eternal life (Mt 25:46).

GOD DESIRES OUR HAPPINESS

God wants us to have eternal life, which is to say a share in His own divine life. Whatever else God may want for our lives is secondary to this baseline fact: God’s will is that we have life and eternal happiness with Him forever. Every time we pray for God’s will to be done, we pray for our own good.

This gives Christians a very unique outlook on death and suffering. We ought to approach our trials in the same way that Jesus approached His Passion. In the Garden of Gethsemane, on the night before He died, our Lord prayed that the cup of His suffering be taken from Him if possible. But then He prayed, “Not my will, but Thy will be done” (Mt 26:39, Mk 14:36, Lk 22:42).

It is perfectly all right for us to bring our suffering to God in prayer, lay it before our loving Father and ask for it to be taken from us. But when we pray “Thy will be done,” we know and trust that if God allows our suffering then it must be for our good, for God works all things for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28). So we accept any hardship we must endure as a grace from the One who loves us perfectly and knows better than us the right remedy for our particular ills.

Just as the Father was able to bring the salvation of man out of the suffering and death of His Son, so He is able to bring us through the trials of whatever crosses we bear to the glory of the resurrection. We know this because God’s will is for our life and happiness. His will is to share His glory and reign with us as His adopted children. This is what He wants for us; He knows exactly what it takes to get us there and will do all that is necessary to bring it about.

Is this also what we want? Do we mean it when we pray that God’s will be done on earth – that is to say, in our lives – as it is in heaven? To say “yes” to that question is to invite Jesus to live out His Paschal Mystery in your life. Once we say, like Mary, “Be it done unto me according to your word,” (Lk 1:38), then whatever follows after that “yes” will be for our good. Just like the joyful mysteries and the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary lead to the glorious mysteries, all the joys and sorrows of our life on earth will lead us to the great glory of heaven.

Ilove dogs. Not like I love my family, or like I love Jesus, but I really do have a strong affection for dogs. A few months ago, I came home from teaching and was welcomed by an unfamiliar, and rather unpleasant, smell in the convent. Entering our large dining room, I noticed the puppy crate had been set up and indeed was being used! Little Charlie was about 5 months old, and it was love at first sight. Although he really did stink. Earlier that morning, my religious community had been serving more than 400 families at our weekly food pantry when, seemingly out of nowhere, Charlie had shown up – soaking wet, muddy and full of friendly energy. Sister Kate noticed that this rather large Siberian Husky puppy was causing distress among our pantry guests and quickly put him on a leash. When I met him some hours later, Charlie had already been given the first of several (very necessary) baths and was making himself at home. He was all cuddles and kisses. Everyone was his friend, and he made sure you knew you were loved.

CHARLIE’S

OWNERS ABANDONED HIM

Through the neighborhood grapevine we learned that Charlie had been abandoned by his owners. Caring for man’s best friend is not easy: It takes time, attention and resources. The people who had originally owned Charlie must have thought, “Surely the nuns will take care of him.” And we did.

But could we become his forever home? In religious life (and really all Christian life), a great virtue to cultivate is detachment. Unfortunately for me, that virtue wasn’t kicking in – nor was I really attempting to foster it – when it came to Charlie. All I wanted was to keep him. But with three German Shepherds, our little Franciscan community already had our hands full, and for all of his positive character traits, there was not one drop of guard dog in Charlie. At the time we had a small renovation project going on in the convent, and not one “stranger” (construction worker) who entered was bereft of a kiss from him.

Six days after he came to us, we were able to locate a proper Husky rescue, and a few weeks after that, we received

the good news that Charlie had been adopted. He had found his forever home.

WE, TOO, HAVE DEEP DESIRE FOR HOME

If you and I are honest, we really are looking for the same thing as Charlie, aren’t we? Don’t we have a deep, innate desire for home? And no matter how good it can get this side of heaven, that desire is just never fully satisfied.

During my theology classes, I was blessed to befriend Father Tom Norris, an Irish theologian and a visiting professor to Mundelein Seminary. He had a way of teaching and storytelling that could leave one not only stunned but speechless and immobile – as if he

could open a wellspring of grace, and you couldn’t help but let yourself be lovingly soaked in the glory. One day, as he was describing the Paschal Mystery, he stated: “Good Friday is when the ‘homeland’ enters exile so that the exiles may enter the ‘homeland.’”

I was totally blown away; I began to realize in a new way that the Paschal Mystery wasn’t just something that happened 2,000 years ago.

What happened on Good Friday and what was victoriously completed in the resurrection and ascension of Jesus is represented for us in the Eucharist at every Mass. In those moments of consecration, so timeless, we are invited with the priest to truly pray the Mass. In doing so, we enter into something that is real – and truer than anything this side of heaven.

Charlie had to roam for a few months before he found “homeland,” but you and I don’t ever have to wait that long. The forever home we long for begins right here, right now, in every Eucharist.

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

In the Eucharist, all of us strays can find our ‘forever home’

SISTER ALICIA TORRES FE, is an executive team member for the National Eucharistic Revival, editor of “Heart of the Revival” e-newsletter, and a member of Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago, a religious community that carries out the mission of the Church through service to the poor, evangelization and teaching.

‘The Paschal Mystery wasn’t just something that happened 2,000 years ago... It is represented for us in the Eucharist at every Mass.’

‘God’s will is that we have life and eternal happiness with Him forever.’

Sister Hosea Rupprecht, FSP

A ‘normalized’ culture needs a ‘normalized’ Christianity

How can we counteract influences that are contrary to our faith?

Do you ever air quote the word “normal” in a conversation? I do, because what is “normal” seems to be different for everyone. The definition of the word changes with shifts in society. Prevailing attitudes toward gender identity, casual sex, abortion and samesex marriage are among those things that have become more “normalized” – more culturally acceptable – in recent years. These attitudes often filter into society through film, television, music and social media. Because they’re “normal,” right? Well, maybe for some, but not for everyone. Does the entertainment media’s presentation of what is “normal” match your experience? There’s a saying in media literacy education: “Media normalize behavior.” In other words, media stories can influence the way we perceive what is or is not socially acceptable, or what is or is not considered “normal.”

For example, in many shows or films, when a couple goes out on a date they end up in bed together. If life were like TV, that would be considered “normal” and acceptable. Presenting this kind of behavior constantly in shows could influence how kids and teens, but also adults, think of sexuality in real-life relationships.

For Catholics, though, the Church teaches that the gift of intimacy through sexual relations is exclusive to marriage (between one man and one woman). Do casual attitudes toward sex depicted in film, TV and on social media make it seem more acceptable? Yes. Does that mean it “is” acceptable? Indeed, no.

EVERYONE’S DOING IT?

When a good friend of mine was engaged, both she and her fiancé – as practicing Catholics – were following the teachings of the Church. She shared some frustration she was experiencing, saying, “Why does everyone assume we’re either living together or sleeping together already? We’re not.”

Cohabitation and sex before marriage happen a lot in entertainment media, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s doing it or that it’s acceptable for followers of Christ. There’s a psychological term that has been getting attention recently: “social contagion.” It means that people can pick up on behaviors or emotions from crowds or networks of people around them, sometimes all unawares. For example, laughing at a movie might be an emotional response, just because the people around you are laughing. Behavioral contagion had store shelves devoid of toilet paper at

Most-read stories on the web

the beginning of the pandemic.

YOUNG PEOPLE SUSCEPTIBLE

If the influences around us are “socially contagious,” can we become “contaminated” by the ideas and messages we let into our minds through the media we experience? Sadly, yes, and young people are particularly susceptible. Have no doubt about it: Social influences are strong. I know of a Catholic school that experienced a group of seventh-grade girls who considered transitioning genders together, which resulted in the pastor and principal talking with the girls and their families.

A February 2022 article by Anastasia Hanonick in The University News out of St. Louis University confirms that 6080% of American college students have experienced a “hook-up” (sex without emotional connection) in some way. There’s no denying that social influence contributes to these troubling statistics.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Some influences are good. Parents influencing children in learning to live their faith is a good thing, as is the Church influencing Christians to develop and deepen relationships with God. The question is: How can we counteract influences that are contrary to our faith, especially the influence of media stories? Here are a few tips:

n Learn, share and live your faith. Know what the Church teaches, share it and model it in your life. Influence society for the good by living an authentic relationship with God.

n Talk about media stories with children and teens. Ask them what they think of characters and their behavior. If characters exhibit problematic behavior, ask what a better way would be. If virtuous behavior is on display, ask how that could translate into real life.

n Be courageous. It’s not easy to embrace values and beliefs that are countercultural. Pray and ask God for the strength to witness to your faith, even when it’s not popular.

Yes, we need to acknowledge the “normalizing” effects of media messages and the influences of social contagion –but without fear. Just remember that, as Christians, we are called to “normalize” Gospel behavior in all our personal, faith, social and media interactions.

Pope Francis

From online story: “Pope prays that Easter joy would break through gloom of sin, war, strife”

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SISTER HOSEA RUPPRECHT, FSP, is the associate director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies, a ministry of the Daughters of St. Paul.

‘We are not alone: Jesus, the living one, is with us forever. Let the Church and the world rejoice, for today our hopes no longer come up against the wall of death, for the Lord has built us a bridge to life.’