April 1, 2011 by Catholic News Herald

Our parishes

April 1, 2011 | charlottediocese.org/catholicnews

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Campaign sees positive impacts

In Brief

SueAnn Howell Staff writer

‘Quilts of Love’ service project a success CHARLOTTE — Parishioners of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte recently celebrated a successful conclusion to their fourth annual “Quilts of Love” service project. Twenty-five quilts were crafted and delivered to parishioners in nursing homes, confined to home, in rehabilitation, hospitalized, or otherwise identified by the clergy and parish. The unique 42-inch lap quilts were made this year by the largest class ever. A group of 21 faith formation students from fourth to 12th grade worked during two Saturdays in February to make their quilts. The quilts were blessed March 13 by Father Mark Lawlor, pastor. Pictured above with their completed quilts are (from left) Hannah Mulready, Nataline Suaris and Katie Beard. Before they were delivered, the quilts were packaged along with rosaries, St. Vincent de Paul prayer cards, parish bulletins, and a handwritten “Story of the Quilt” written by the student who made the quilt, describing their thoughts in selecting the colors and symbols used in the quilt. The quilts are routinely made and blessed during the first weeks of Lent with a goal of having them delivered before Easter. More than 90 quilts have been sewn since the program began. — Peggy Gibbons

Catechist training session held CHARLOTTE — Meredith Magyar, the parish catechetical program leader at St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte, assisted the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation in hosting the Workers in the Vineyard Conference, a catechist certification program combined with Youth Ministry formation and Protecting God’s Children training, March 26. The following people also gave presentations: Donna Smith, Olga Nunez, Paul Kotlowski, Jorge Gomiz, Caroline Fountain, Peg Ruble and Deacon David Reiser. Approximately 50 people from various parishes of the Charlotte metropolitan area attended the training sessions. — Dr. Cris V. Villapando

CHARLOTTE — A diocese-wide effort to encourage lapsed Catholics to return to the Church kicked off last Advent and has already seen a positive response in parishes. The campaign, a partnership with CatholicsComeHome.org, began Dec. 17 with television and radio ads aired for six weeks across western North Carolina. It continues with sustained outreach and welcoming efforts in parishes, ministries devoted to returning Catholics, and at the Diocese of Charlotte Tribunal. Responses to the $353,000 campaign, funded in part by a diocesan collection, began to be seen immediately. “On the day that the ads began to air, I had a person stop in the office and state that they wanted to return to the practice of their faith,” said Father Benjamin Roberts, parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury. “I’ve had many people contact me directly, or through parishioners, who wanted to return to the sacraments. Many had simply stopped going to Mass at some point. Others had doctrinal questions. “A number of people had questions about their marriage situations. Some of the cases have been easy; others will take a little more

time to bring to conclusion,” Father Roberts added. Joy Barnes, tribunal advocate for the Diocese of Charlotte, has seen an increase in the number of cases coming to the tribunal since the campaign began, as Catholics seek resolution with the Church over divorces or second marriages. “I am overwhelmed with new cases and the other advocates report a similar surge in cases,” Barnes said. “We normally do about 280-290 cases in a year. This year we have already opened 115, and I have at least 25 cases of my own waiting to open. A pastor just sent me three more people to contact.” Father John Putnam is head of the tribunal and coordinator of the Catholics Come Home Campaign, as well as pastor of Sacred Heart Church. He said he has felt the impact of the campaign in each of the roles

he plays in bringing Catholics back to the faith. He said attendance at Saturday evening Mass is up in his parish, and as Barnes mentioned, the number of annulment cases has increased in the tribunal. More people are coming back to the confessional, as well. Father Roberts said he also notices more people seeking reconciliation – “some having been away for 15, 30 and more than 50 years.” “It has been one of my greatest joys as a priest to assist in this ministry of reconciliation, declaring to people that not only were their sins forgiven, but that they were restored to full communion with the Church, and could now receive the Lord’s precious Body and Blood in Holy Communion, the hunger for which drew them to come home,” he said. Said Father Putnam, “Our mission as Church is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and build up His body. Whenever someone ceases the practice of the faith or leaves the Church, the whole body suffers. Evangelizing, reaching out and inviting are all aspects of ‘Catholics Come Home’ that provide us with opportunities to heal the Body of Christ and bring the life-giving Gospel message to those who do not know Christ and His Church.”

Bishop’s Lenten Youth Pilgrimage set for April 8-9 Christopher Lux Intern

BELMONT — Belmont Abbey College will again be the setting of the Bishop’s Lenten Youth Pilgrimage on April 8 and 9. The youth pilgrimage is a two-part event: Friday night’s activities will be geared toward college students and young adults, while Saturday’s activities will be focused on middle and high school youths. Friday night’s events will kick off at 5 p.m. with a Mass in the Abbey basilica, followed by a fish fry and concert on the basilica lawn. The college students and young adults will then join the Belmont Abbey monks at 7 p.m. for vespers (evening prayer). After a talk by Jim Burnham, the director of the New Mexico Roman Catholic apologetics group, there will be Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Celebration Sacrament in the basilica. The pilgrims will of Blessed Pier then have the opportunity to receive the Giorgio Frassati’s sacrament of penance. birthday April On Saturday, Middle and High School 6 planned in Youth Day will begin with a Mass celebrated diocesan schools, by Bishop Peter J. Jugis. After lunch and 14 live music, the youth will hear talks given by various speakers, including Christina Condit. Condit began giving talks to high school students in 2004 about her commitment to chastity and her trust in God. She will discuss the beauty of the gift of sexuality and the importance of chastity until marriage. A talk about “The Interior Life” by Father Richard Sutter is also scheduled. After pizza and a concert featuring three bands, there will be a eucharistic procession and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.