June 3, 2011

June 3, 2011

catholicnewsherald.com charlottediocese.org S E RV I N G C H R I ST A N D C O N N EC T I N G C AT H O L I C S I N W E ST E R N N O R T H C A R O L I N A

INSIDE:

Ordination 2011 FUNDED by the parishioners of the diocese of charlotte

Deacon Joshua Voitus will be ordainedapriest on June 4, 3 Seminariesfocus greaterattentionon humanformation, 5 Father Gnanapragasam Mariasoosaimarks 30yearsasapriest, 6 FatherJohnEckert: ‘Oneyearlater,the priesthoodisbetter thanIimaginedit would be,’ 23 TheOrdinationClass of2011:Vocationto priesthoodalife,not a career, 22

Environmental stewardship

THANK YOU!

Congratulations, graduates!

St. Luke Church in Mint Hill has a certified wildlife habitat, and two churches in Charlotte are making strides to become more energy efficient,

Inside: List of the 2011 graduates of Bishop McGuinness and Charlotte Catholic high schools,

12-13

10-11

Calendar 4 Diocese 3-13

FAITH 2

mix 14

nation & World 18-21 Schools 9-11

Viewpoints 22-23

Call us: 704-370-3333 E-mail us: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

Our faith

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 3, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope Benedict XVI

Crisis of ‘indifference’ shows need for New Evangelization

P

ope Benedict stressed the urgency of evangelizing modern society, saying that Christians today face the task of reaching a world that grows increasingly apathetic to the message of the Gospel.

“The crisis we are living through,” he said, “carries with it signs of the exclusion of God from people’s lives, a general indifference to the Christian faith, and even the intention of marginalizing it from public life.”

The pope made his remarks May 30 to members of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, as they prepare for their upcoming synod in 2012. During the meeting, which will take place Oct. 7-28 next year, bishops and other participants from around the world will discuss the Blessed Pope John Paul II’s vision of proposing the Christian faith in new ways.

Pope Benedict explained that “the term ‘new evangelization’ recalls the need of a new way of evangelizing, especially for those who live in a situation like today’s where the development of secularization has left deep marks on even traditionally Christian countries.”

“Proclaiming Jesus Christ, the sole Savior of the world, is more complex today than in the past, but our task continues to be the same as at the beginning of our history. The mission hasn’t changed, just as the enthusiasm and courage that motivated the apostles and first disciples should not change.”

The Church’s message “needs to be renewed today in order to convince modern persons, who are often distracted and insensitive. That is why the new evangelization must find ways to make the proclamation of salvation more effective, the salvation without which life is contradictory and lacking in what is essential.”

He observed a growing “phenomenon” of people in modern society “who wish to belong to the Church but who are strongly determined by a vision of life that is opposed to the faith.”

“It is important to make them understand that being Christian is not a type of outfit that one wears in private or on special occasions, but something living and totalizing, capable of taking all that is good in modernity.”

He emphasized that the entire Christian community “is called to revive the missionary spirit in order to offer the new message that persons of our times are hoping for.”

The “lifestyle of believers needs real credibility,” he said, adding that Christians should be “much more convincing” because the “condition of the persons to whom it is addressed” is dramatic.

He asked the council members to outline “a plan to help the entire Church and the particular different Churches in the commitment of the new evangelization; a plan whereby the urgency of a renewed evangelization takes charge of formation, particularly that of the new generations, and is united to the proposal of concrete signs capable of making the Church’s response in this particular moment clear.”

— Catholic News Agency/EWTN News

St. Barnabas: apostle and missionary Feast day: June 11 Benjamin Mann Catholic News Agency

Catholics will celebrate the memory of St. Barnabas June 11. The apostle and missionary was among Christ’s earliest followers and was responsible for welcoming St. Paul into the Church.

St. Barnabas was born to wealthy Jewish parents on the Greekspeaking island of Cyprus, probably around the time of Christ’s own birth. Traditional accounts hold that his parents sent him to study in Jerusalem, where he studied at the school of Gamaliel (who also taught St. Paul). Later on, when Christ’s public ministry began, Barnabas may have been among those who heard Him preach in person.

At some point, either during Christ’s ministry or after His death and resurrection, Barnabas decided to commit himself in the most radical way to the teachings he had received.

He sold the large estate he had inherited, contributed the proceeds entirely to the Church, and joined Christ’s other apostles in holding all of their possessions in common.

Saul of Tarsus, the future St. Paul, approached Barnabas after the miraculous events surrounding his conversion, and was first introduced to St. Peter through him. About five years later, Barnabas and Paul spent a year in Antioch, building up the Church community whose members were the first to go by the name of

“Christians.”

Both Paul and Barnabas received callings from God to become the “Apostles of the Gentiles,” although the title is more often associated with St. Paul. The reference to the “layingon of hands” in Acts, chapter 13, suggests that Paul and Barnabas may have been consecrated as bishops on this occasion.

Barnabas and Paul left Antioch along with Barnabas’ cousin John Mark, who would later compose the most concise account of Christ’s life and be canonized as St. Mark.

The group’s first forays into the pagan world met with some success, but Mark became discouraged and returned to Jerusalem.

The question of Mark’s dedication to the mission would arise again later, causing a significant personal disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. For many years prior to this, however, the two apostles traveled and preached among the Gentiles, suffering persecution and hardships for the sake of establishing Christianity among those of nonJewish backgrounds.

The remarkable success of Barnabas and Paul led to one of the earliest controversies in Church history, regarding the question of whether Christian converts would have to observe Jewish rites. During the landmark Council of Jerusalem, recorded in Acts, the assembled apostles confirmed St. Peter’s earlier proclamation that the laws of the Old

A saintly life

catholic news agency

Testament would not be mandatory for Christians.

Barnabas and Paul finally separated in their ministries, while remaining apostles of the one Catholic Church, over Paul’s insistence that Mark not travel with them again.

In death, however, the “Apostles to the Gentiles” were reunited. Mark is said to have buried Barnabas after he was killed by a mob in Cyprus around the year 62. St. Paul and St. Mark were, in turn, reconciled before St. Paul’s martyrdom five years later.

Your daily Scripture readings SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 5 - JUNE 11

Sunday, Acts 1:12-14, 1 Peter 4:13-16, John 17:1-11; Monday (St. Norbert), Acts 19:1-8, John 16:29-33; Tuesday, Acts 20:17-27, John 17:1-11; Wednesday, Acts 20:28-38, John 17:11-19; Thursday (St. Ephrem), Acts 22:30, 23:6-11, John 17:2026; Friday, Acts 25:13-21, John 21:15-19; Saturday (St. Barnabas), Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3, John 21:20-25

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 12- JUNE 18

Sunday (Pentecost Sunday), Acts 2:111, 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13, John 20:1923; Monday (St. Anthony of Padua), 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Matthew 5:38-42; Tuesday, 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, Matthew 5:43-48; Wednesday, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; Thursday, 2 Corinthians 11:1-11, Matthew 6:7-15; Friday, 2 Corinthians 11:18, 21-30, Matthew 6:19-23; Saturday, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Matthew 6:24-34

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 19 - JUNE 25

Sunday (Most Holy Trinity), Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9, Daniel 3:52-56, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, John 3:16-18; Monday, Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 7:1-5; Tuesday (St. Aloysius Gonzaga), Genesis 13:2, 5-18, Matthew 7:6, 12-14; Wednesday (Sts. Paulinus of Nola, John Fisher, and Thomas More), Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Matthew 7:15-20; Thursday, Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16, Matthew 7:21-29; Friday (Nativity of St. John the Baptist), Isaiah 49:1-6, Acts 13:22-26, Luke 1:57-66, 80; Saturday, Genesis 18:1-15, Luke 1:4650, 53-55, Matthew 8:5-17

Our parishes

June 3, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

New CNH initiatives this month CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte and the Catholic News Herald have launched new Web sites this week, and in two weeks will introduce Catholic News Herald-Español.

The new Web sites, which launched June 1, includes daily updates from national and world news, the latest news and photos from around the Diocese of Charlotte, and a collection of catechetical information, as well as updated parish and department directories and the latest statistical information about the diocese. It also includes links to the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel and the Catholic News Herald’s new Facebook page.

“This has been a combined effort over 18 months and represents a lot of hard work on the part of diocesan staff,” said George Cobb, diocesan director of planning and research and the Web site project coordinator, and it is aimed to improve communications across the growing diocese and continue our mission of teaching the Gospel.

“The Catholic News Herald’s new Web site will feature more news than we can provide in the printed newspaper, and more frequently,” said Editor Patricia Guilfoyle. “We are excited to offer parishioners this new way to learn about what’s going on in our diocese and grow in their faith, and we look forward to sharing the Good News with an even wider audience than ever before.”

Catholic News Herald-Español, which will debut June 17, aims to communicate with our growing Hispanic community, reporting on the latest news while also connecting English-speaking and Spanishspeaking Catholics across the diocese. The two-page section will appear in each edition of the Catholic News Herald, as well as online at www. catholicnewsherald.com, and in distributed copies to Hispanic Ministry coordinators. Hispanic communications coordinator Carlos Castañeda is also developing partnerships with regional Hispanic print and radio media.

“Hispanic culture and families in general have a strong connection to their Catholic faith, as a natural extension of who they are,” Castañeda said. “Hispanic media are probably the most effective tool to connect with the Hispanic community. We can create the perfect match, connecting naturally and offering good and positive content to Hispanic families.”

David Hains, diocesan director of communication, said, “I am excited about the potential for the use of video and audio in spreading the Good News in our diocese and beyond. The use of social media means we will be able to share thoughts and prayers with one another. In all, this is a great step forward.”

Your comments are welcome, and the Diocese of Charlotte’s new Web site will continue to feature a “Feedback” button for the next two weeks, Cobb noted.

For comments about the Catholic News Herald, please e-mail Editor Patricia Guilfoyle at catholicnews@charlottediocese.org or visit us on Facebook.

Deacon Voitus to be ordained June 4 CHARLOTTE — Deacon Joshua Voitus, 29, of Lewisville, will be ordained a priest of the Diocese of Charlotte on Saturday, June 4. Bishop Peter J. Jugis will preside over the ordination and will be the main celebrant for the ordination Mass, which will begin at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

Full coverage of Saturday’s ordination will be published online at www.catholicnewsherald.com.

Deacon Voitus attended seminary at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, where he received Bachelor of Arts degrees in philosophy and English literature. He studied theology at Mount Saint Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Md., where he received Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degrees in moral theology.

“The knowledge that it is God who has called me to this and Deacon that I will be given the grace and privilege to act in His person Joshua Voitus when offering Mass and hearing confessions is too much for words,” Deacon Voitus said Tuesday of his impending ordination. “Needless to say, I am very excited and quite a bit nervous, both about the ordination itself and beginning my life as a priest in the Diocese of Charlotte.”

Father Voitus will celebrate his first Mass at his home parish of Holy Family in Clemmons at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, June 5. He will also celebrate a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving in Latin and English at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 5, at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury.

— SueAnn Howell

Photos by George A. Hoffman Jr. | Catholic News Herald

A Mass of healing and prayer At top, about 150 Catholic faithful attended a special Mass of healing at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte May 21 to receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. Above, Father Remo DiSalvatore, O.F.M. Cap., pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, silently prays a healing prayer over all of the parishioners in need, while anointing their heads and hands with holy oil. Annette Morales, chairperson of the parish’s liturgy and worship commission, helped organize the event.

Above left, the Birch family receives a blessing from Father DiSalvatore. Sophie, the daughter of Andrew and Renee Birch, is recovering from the first of several ear surgeries she needs to correct a hearing problem.

Above right, Father DiSalvatore embraces Renee Ramkissoon, 4, after she gave him flowers to be placed upon the altar. The daughter of Allana-Rae Ramkissoon, principal of Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte, Renee was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in February. Besides participating in the offertory, Renee received a blessed shawl from the parish’s Prayer Shawl Ministry.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 3, 2011 OUR PARISHES

Diocesan calendar of events ARDEN st. BARNABAS church, 109 CRESCENT HILL ROAD — Natural Family Planning Introduction and Full Course, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 18. RSVP required to Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN, at cssnfp@charlottediocese.org or 704-3703230.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events over the next two weeks: June 4 – 10 a.m.

Liturgy of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte June 7 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Lexington June 9 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, High Point

June 18 – 9:30 a.m.

Liturgy of Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

st. EUGENE church, 72 CULVERN ST. — “Tools for Prayer.” Elder Ministry Day of Reflection for Seniors, 8 a.m. June 16. Register at 336-254-5193, Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220, or Sherrill Beason at 704370-3228.

ST. GABRIEL CHURCH, 3016 PROVIDENCE ROAD — Shining Stars Support Group, 10 a.m.-noon last Mondays.

Visit www.stgabrielchurch.org.

— SonFest 2011 Family Festival, 3-10 p.m. June 17 and 18.

Visit www.4sjnc.org/sonfest2011.

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PKWY. — Opus Dei Recollection for Men, 7-9 p.m. June 3.

Confession available at 6:30 p.m. Contact Joe Ignacio at joremy.ignacio@gmail.com or 704-752-7155.

— Opus Dei Recollection for Women, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

June 4. Confession available at 9:30 a.m. Contact Remy Ignacio at remy_ignacio@hotmail.com or 704-752-7155.

— Christians in Career Transition (CICT) Meeting, NLC Room 132/125, 7 p.m. June 6. Visit www.st-matts.info/cict.

Contact Jack Rueckel at 704-341-8449.

— Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Information Meeting, NLC Room 204, 7 p.m. June 13.

— “The Lord be with you...And with your spirit,” A Preview of the Revised Roman Missal, NLC, with Mercy Sister Mary Hugh Mauldin, 7-8:30 p.m. July 18 and 25, and Aug. 1 and 8

June 3, 2011 Volume 20 • Number 24

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

Father Joseph Koterski, S.J., Ph.D., from Fordham University, will deliver a two-night presentation at St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte, 7-8:30 p.m. June 13 and 14.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to sabeason@ charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3228.

DENVER HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, 537 N. HWY. 16 — Cancer Support Group, Parish Activity Center, 2-3 p.m. first Thursdays

GREENSBORO OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, 2205 W. MARKET ST. — “Catholic, meet the Bible. Bible, meet this Catholic,” School Library, 7-9 p.m. June 7, 14, 21 and 28 and July 12, 19 and 26. Register with Jim at jmccullough@olgchurch. org or 336-274-6520, ext. 335.

ST. PIUS X CHURCH, 2210 N. ELM ST. — Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio’s 20-year Ordination Anniversary Celebration, reception held after each Mass on June 4 and 5

CHARLOTTE

— Discussion on “The Jeweler’s Shop,” a play written

by John Paul II, hosted by Father Joseph Koterski of Fordham University, 7-8:30 p.m. June 13 and 14. RSVP to sabeason@charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3228.

June 17- 12:10 p.m.

Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Jason Barone, Peter Shaw, Santiago Mariani, David McCanless St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

The Catholic Church’s Understanding of Courtship, Commitment, and Married Life: Reflections on Pope John Paul II’s play, “The Jeweler’s Shop”

ASHEVILLE

ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, 8451 idlewild road

June 11 – 5:30 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

This week’s spotlight:

EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Denise Onativia 704-370-3333, catholicnews@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Cindi Feerick 704-370-3332, ckfeerick@charlottediocese.org STAFF WRITER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org HISPANIC COMMUNICATIONS: Carlos Castañeda 704-370-3375, cmcastaneda@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org

ST. pATRICK CATHEDRAL, 1621 DILWORTH ROAD E. — Mass for U.S. Military, 3:30 p.m. July 3. To include your service member, please mail a color or black/white photocopy of them, preferably in uniform, with their name and military rank on the back of the photocopy to Nancy Weber, Office of the Bishop, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, no later than June 24. (Please do not send originals, as they cannot be returned.)

HIGH POINT

— Eucharistic Adoration, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays

KERNERSVILLE

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, 1400 suther road — Multicultural Festival, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. June 11 ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, 6828 old reid road — The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Meeting, 7 p.m. third Wednesday of each month. They welcome Irish-Catholic women who are interested in sharing their Catholic faith, Christian charity and the traditions of the Irish people. Contact Mary Herbert at mherbert@ carolina.rr.com or 704-231-9546.

CLEMMONS HOLY family CHURCH, 4820 kinnamon road — Charismatic Prayer Group, 7:15 p.m. Mondays — Eucharistic Adoration, Curlin Center, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.Thursdays — Catholic Trivia, Room 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m. six-week summer study session. For details contact Gloria Musselwhite at 336-416-6477 or Joe Muster at 336-978-1419.

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, 4145 JOHNSON ST. — Seventh International Festival, 3:30-7:30 p.m. June 12.

Bring your favorite internation or local family-sized dish to share.

HOLY CROSS church, 616 S. CHERRY ST. — “The Holy Eucharist: Source and Summit of Our Faith,” 40 hours devotion begins following 9 a.m. Mass June 24 through 5 p.m. June 26. Contact Geri Breeding at geribreeding@triad.rr.com or Kathy Garlow at kgarlow@ triad.rr.com. Para llamadas en español, llame a Alma Rangel al 336-995-4564.

MOUNT AIRY HOLY ANGELS CHURCH, 1208 N Main st.

— Mass in Extraordinary Form, noon Sundays. Contact holyangelsmountairy@charlottediocese.org or 336-7868147.

Is your PARISH OR SCHOOL hosting a free event open to the public? Deadline for all submissions for the Diocesan Calendar is 10 days prior to desired publication date. Submit in writing to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org or fax to 704-370-3282.

The Catholic News Herald is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 28 times a year.

Diocese of Charlotte

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

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contact Advertising Manager Cindi Feerick at 704-370-3332 or ckfeerick@charlottediocese.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

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

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June 3, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Priest assigned CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis announces the appointment of Father Stephen M. Hoyt, O.F.M. Cap., as parochial vicar of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte effective May 18.

Deacon assignments announced

Four new seminarians begin studies CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis and Father Christopher Gober, diocesan director of vocations, have formally accepted the following men into the seminarian formation program for the Diocese of Charlotte: Michael J. Heinrich, Christopher A. Bond, Brian J. Becker and Joshua S. Herman. They will all be attending Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. Also, seminarian Casey A. Coleman, formerly attending St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa., will attend Pontifical College Josephinum beginning this fall.

Father Koterski coming to speak CHARLOTTE — Fordham University professor of philosophy Jesuit Father Joseph Koterski returns to the Diocese of Charlotte this month to speak about “The Daily Examen: An Ignatian Tool for Prayer.” The program will be offered from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 13, at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Charlotte; 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte; and 8:45 to 10 a.m. Thursday, June 16, at St. Eugene Church in Asheville. Father Koterski will celebrate Mass prior to each program. For details, go online to www.cssnc.org or call 704-370-3228.

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Sister Julia Dennehy, SMG, dies at 99

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CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis also announces the following two deacon assignments effective May 18: n Deacon John J. Barone has been named a permanent deacon at Holy Redeemer Church in Andrews and Prince of Peace Mission in Robbinsville, to serve with Father Carl Kaltreider. Deacon John, ordained in 2007, comes from the Archdiocese of Atlanta. n Deacon Michael D. Leahy has been named a permanent deacon for St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Mars Hill and Sacred Heart Mission in Burnsville, to serve with Father Frederick Werth.

Deacon Michael returns to the diocese from a job assignment in Florida.

OUR PARISHESI

Seminaries put greater focus on human formation David Hains Director of Communication

CHARLOTTE — Ongoing education of seminarians and priests is in the spotlight after the May 18 release of the study, “The Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors,” done by the John Jay College of Justice and partly funded by the U.S. bishops. Seminaries and dioceses have responded with formation programs designed to better prepare men for the rigors of the priesthood – one of the recommendations of the study but something that’s already been under way for Father John Allen the past decade.

Since the 1990s, seminaries have undergone a fundamental change in how men are prepared for the priesthood. Beyond teaching seminarians theology, academics and how to be good parish administrators, seminaries have added “human formation” to their curricula. Human formation is the development of a range of skills, such as communication and stewardship, along with a focus on personal growth in maturity, respect for others and morality.

Documents in support of human formation in the seminary go back to the 1960s and the Second Vatican Council. The idea grew in popularity after Blessed Pope John Paul II issued his 1992 Apostolic Exhortation, “Pastores Dabo Vobis” (“I Shall Give You Shepherds”). The pope wrote, “It is important that the priest should mold his human personality in such a way that it becomes a bridge and not an obstacle for others in their meeting with Jesus Christ.”

Life in the seminaries began to change almost immediately.

Father David Brzoska, pastor of St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country in Boone, was

a seminarian in the mid-1990s at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa. He recalls, “We had weekly conferences where we talked about how our strengths and weaknesses and our sexuality needed to be integrated into all areas of our lives.”

By 2005 the U.S. bishops approved the fifth edition of the textbook “Program of Priestly Formation,” raising the status of human formation by putting it on par with theological, academic and pastoral instruction – the socalled “pillars of formation.”

By then Father Brzoska had been ordained and was the human formation director at St. Vincent’s, Father David where he judged the fitness Brzoska of seminarians to be priests based in part on their human formation.

“They (seminarians) could be getting decent grades, but we could look at how they were interacting with others, how respectful they were, and we could sometimes determine that this person doesn’t have the maturity level to proceed,” he said.

Father John Allen, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle in Greensboro, also has direct experience with how human formation has become integrated into seminarian education. He served as dean of the school of theology at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.

Emphasis on human formation at the seminaries has made it easier for the Church to discern who will be successful as a priest, Father Allen said. “It places an emphasis on human qualities like maturity and self-knowledge.”

Allen also said many dioceses address the need for ongoing human formation of priests via retreats, conferences and education programs. seminaries, SEE page 16

HIGH POINT — Sister Julia Dennehy, SMG, of Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point, died May 24, 2011, at the age of 99. She had been professed with the Congregation of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God for nearly 78 years.

A funeral Mass was celebrated by Father James Solari at the Maryfield Chapel on May 28, Sister Julia 2011. Burial followed Dennehy at the adjoining cemetery for the sisters.

Sister Julia was born in the village of Cluin in County Cork, Ireland, on Aug. 23,1911, the fifth of seven children of the late Cornelius and Julia Dennehy. At 22, she entered the Congregation of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God convent in London in 1933 and made her first vows on July 22, 1936. She was sent to train as a nurse at an SMG hospital in Lancashire, England, and in 1940 she returned to London to complete her final religious training before making her final vows. She made her final profession on Aug. 15, 1941, and returned to the congregation’s hospital in Lancashire, where she served until 1956. In November of that year, she was sent to the congregation’s American mission, St. Anthony, in Norton, Va. The mission had been established

by Glenmary priests in 1945, and the Poor Servants of the Mother of God had purchased the nearby hospital in 1948. They had already established a presence in High Point in 1947, when they opened Maryfield nursing home, and they named their new hospital in Norton St. Mary’s Hospital.

In an interview a few years ago, Sister Julia recalled the hospital as being “in the back of the beyond.” She had traveled to the U.S. on the Queen Elizabeth II from Southampton to New York “seven days cabin class,” then taken an overnight train to High Point. Four sisters, all nurses, traveled together; two were assigned to Norton and two to Maryfield in High Point.

The sisters, clad in their white habits, stood out in the middle of the rugged western Virginia coal mining country, but Sister Julia took it all in stride. She said her mother “trained her to be obedient and accept what is given to you.” Obedience was her response, and she recalled, “I don’t dennehy, SEE page 16

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 3, 2011 OUR PARISHES

Patricia Guilfoyle | catholic news herald

Rosary Rally held in Charlotte The 2011 Rosary Rally was held at St. Patrick Cathedral May 22. This semi-annual event gathers the faithful together to pray for Mary’s intercession, and to pray for peace and goodwill across the world. Deacon John Kopfle, who serves at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte, led participants in reciting the rosary, crowning a statue of Mary, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Eucharistic procession, Benediction and a Scripture reading. In his homily, Deacon Kopfle said celebrations such as this help us to remember and renew our commitment to following Jesus Christ, as well as present to us an opportunity to reflect on salvation history.

Father Mariasoosai celebrates 30 years of priesthood SueAnn Howell Staff writer

MARION — Father Gnanagragasam Mariasoosai has come a long way since his ordination in Tamilnadu, India, in May of 1981.

A diocesan priest in the Archdiocese of Maduai, Father Mariasoosai spent the first 19 years in parishes throughout his native country, gradually taking on more responsibilities. He traveled to Jamaica in 2000 to gain more pastoral experience in other countries, and arrived in the U.S. in 2002. He has been administrator at Our Lady of the Angels Mission in Marion since 2003.

“I am very grateful to Father Arockiasamy Sundram, known as ‘Father Swamy,’ who made me know the Diocese of Charlotte, and introduced me to Rev. Monsignor Mauricio West, the vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte,” Father Mariasoosai says. He is also grateful to Father Thomas Selvaraj, who offered him a chance to work in his parish in the Diocese of Charlotte for a month in 2003, under the direction of Monsignor West. He was asked to continue his ministry in the diocese and later he was appointed administrator of Our Lady of the Angels Mission in Marion.

He has been actively serving in Marion ever since, and he loves his parish community at Our Lady of the Angels.

“Every priest tries to build a community of faith, a community of love, and a community of charity in their own churches,” he explains. His goal at Our Lady of the Angels

is to help English-speaking and Spanish-speaking members of the parish build a united community of faith and love.

He said he is humbled by the outpouring of support he receives from his parishioners, especially Father Mariasoosai on his birthday and anniversary of ordination.

“Some priests may get flowers, greeting cards and gifts by post or in person, or a few priests may receive something from staff and from a few families,” he says. “Many of my church members will gather (with me) in a restaurant and share the joy of my priesthood anniversary. I am honored because of my priesthood. Praise God for the gift of my priesthood.”

He credits his mother for playing a prominent role in his vocation – his “mountaintop experience,” he calls it.

“I had a deeper experience with God through my mother. She was my mountain,” he says. “She was my source of inspiration and cause for my vocation. She always concentrated on her prayers and helped me to grow in my spirituality.”

Father Mariasoosai’s advice for men discerning a call to the priesthood?

“Dear young men – concentrate your prayer life, especially pray fervently immediately after receiving Holy Communion. Pray that Christ will help you to lead good lives and help you discern and make a good decision for your future lives.”

June 3, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

7

Celebrating first Holy Communion Two groups receive first Holy Communion Children of Holy Angels Parish in Mt. Airy received first Holy Communion during two Masses May 14.

Photo provided by Father Eric Kowalski

Four children receive first Holy Communion MAGGIE VALLEY — Four young parishioners from St. Margaret of Scotland Church in Maggie Valley received the sacrament of first Holy Communion May 15. A reception in their honor, hosted by the parents of children who received first Holy Eucharist in 2010, was held in Murphy-Garland Hall after Mass, which was celebrated by Father William Morgan, parish administrator. First Communicants were Reilly Mahoney, Hannah Yarrington, Landon Yarrington and John Patrick Mahoney. The children were prepared to receive the sacraments of first reconciliation and first Eucharist by Dawn Tox. photo provided by Betsy McLeod

SPRED students receive Communion Two SPRED students received first Holy Communion May 15 at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

Congratulations to the Bottone family and their son Alex (left) and the Henry family and their son Zachary (right). Through a loving, thoughtful approach, SPRED (Special Religious Education Development) offers children and youth (aged 6-18) religious formation, gathering bi-weekly to develop friendships and community. The SPRED coordinator at St. Mark Church is Stephanie Conrad.

Photo provided by Donna F. Smith

catholicnewsherald.com | June 3, 2011 OUR PARISHES

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Father Matthew Buettner

W

e mentioned last time that the Mass is the greatest prayer of the Church.

As the highest act of prayer, the Mass teaches us how to pray.

The first movement of the heart in prayer is humility and so we enter into the Mass by first calling to mind our sins and seeking the Divine Mercy of God in the Penitential Act. Only then, only after acknowledging our need for forgiveness and only after pursuing the abundant mercy that God supplies in our need, are we able to sing for joy in the ancient hymn of the Gloria. And so, the Mass teaches us that prayer begins with humility and moves to praise, adoration and gratitude to God: after the Penitential Act follows the Gloria.

Monsignor Ronald Knox explains that, “…the general point of [the Gloria], coming where it does, is that we try to cheer ourselves up, after all the groveling, by reminding ourselves and reminding Almighty God that human nature has been raised to something altogether higher, ever since Our Lord took human nature upon Himself, and that if we unite our prayers with the prayer of our Incarnate Lord, we can, in spite of everything, make our prayers worth looking at.”

There is not a single word in the Gloria that is not also found in Scripture, in the letters of St. Paul or in the writings of St. John. It is one of the oldest Christian hymns. The earliest records of the first Christians, dating as far back as the early

Gloria in excelsis Deo: We praise God second century, refer to singing the angelic hymn, known as the “Gloria in excelsis Deo” (“Glory to God in the highest”) before the Sacrifice of the Mass. From the very beginning, singing the Gloria was particularly appropriate during the Christmas season, since the opening words of the hymn were sung by the angels after the birth of Our Lord. Later evidence shows that the Gloria was given wider range to be sung at Sunday Masses throughout the year, but only when the bishop offered Mass. It wasn’t until almost the 12th century that the Gloria was extended to every Sunday Mass offered by priests, as well as bishops.

The Gloria is composed of three main parts and refers to the three Divine Persons of the Blessed Trinity. Here is the revised translation we will begin using this November: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise You, we bless You, we adore You, we glorify You, we give You thanks for Your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

You take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us; You take away the sins of the world, Receive our prayer; You are seated at the right hand of the Father, Have mercy on us.

For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

The first section praises the Father, beginning with the words of the angels to the shepherds after the birth of Our Lord: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of good will. The hymn continues to praise God with redundant exuberance: “We praise You, we bless You, we adore You, we glorify You, we give You thanks for Your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.”

In other parts of the Mass, we thank and praise God for what He has accomplished.

But here in the Gloria, we thank God for who He is, not for what He does. The second section of the Gloria is addressed to the eternal Son of God: “Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; You take away the

sins of the world, receive our prayer; You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.” Again, we praise the Son of God firstly for who He is, then for what He has accomplished. Only after recognizing the divine identity of the Son can we petition Him to “receive our prayer.”

The hymn surges to its height and then to its completion as we move to the third section that includes reference to the Holy Spirit: “For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.” Thus completes the hymn of praise and adoration of the Blessed Trinity.

It is important to note that we do not sing the Gloria during the two penitential seasons of the Church year – Advent and Lent – as a communal fast in preparation for Christmas and Easter.

Following the Gloria, the Introductory Rites of the Mass reach their summit in the Opening Collect or Prayer. After we have approached God the Father in humility to seek His mercy and praised Him for his glory, we now approach Him in petition or supplication. The celebrant, speaking on behalf of the Church, collects the intentions of the day’s sacrifice. He begins, “Let us pray.”

Here, the celebrant invites the Church to join him in petitioning the Lord. There BUETTNER, SEE page 16

Our schools

June 3, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

9

In Brief

OLG students donate their hair CCHS ties to Afghan school grow stronger CHARLOTTE — Retired Army Col. Harold Graziano recently returned with a group of American supporters to Amani School in Kabul, Afghanistan, following a donation of school supplies from Charlotte Catholic High School students that was featured in an article in the May 20 Catholic News Herald. They met with the principal, Hajara Majeed Zada (pictured above), and listened as students recited verses of peace and honor from the Koran.

— Edward Faircloth

GREENSBORO — In May, several students at Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro donated their hair to Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths program, which uses donated hair to make wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments. Hair stylist Kevin Bradshaw from Studio West in Greensboro donated his time to cut each girl’s hair and style it after the donation. Students Maddie and Cecilia Heyn and Erin Egan donated their hair, as well as parent Mercedes Fresquez-Clifton.

Above is seventh-grader Maddie Heyn right after she donated her hair.

— Karen L. Hornfeck

Photo provided by Leila Goddard

Science and Technology Day Students at Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem recently participated in Science and Technology Day. Pictured above, fourth-graders Niel Ingle and Morgan Carnes study the difference between physical change and chemical change.

Science Day was organized by Nancy Farmer, seventh-grade teacher, and run by the seventh-grade class.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 3, 2011 OUR PARISHES

In Brief

OLG students host Mother’s Day tea GREENSBORO — Kindergarten classes at Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro recently invited mothers and grandmothers to a special Mother’s Day Tea. Students Aniela Giarmo and Blakely Ahmuty show off personalized placemats that decorated the tables for this special event.

The children served their honored guests special treats and performed a few songs. The highlight of the tea was the reading of special profiles that the students wrote about their mothers.

— Karen L. Hornfeck

CCHS Alabama, U. of Burns, Kyle Cunnane, Blaire Goddard, Jacob Ives, Katherine Leeke, Patrick Shear, Alyssa Tomchin, Zachary Winterman, Brandon Appalachian St. U. Arnold, Katlyn Bell, Gavin Benjamin, Michael Bessey, Braiden Bevilacqua, Steven Bleser, Danielle Carter, James Ferris, Christina Fischer, Aaron Graham, Leah Hakanson, McKenna Hall, Haley Heil, Gretchen Hintze, Brittany Longo, Thomas Market, Amy Mullis, Connie Peralta, Grace Shoaff, Patrick Smith, Hunter Speckman, Emma Warren, Thomas Wasowski, Bridget Wright, Anna Marie Art Inst. of Charlotte Brannan, Stephanie

Auburn U. Funck, Nicholas Moran, Alexandra Quigley, John Smith, Madeline Thomason, Patrick Belmont Abbey College Issac, Noma LoTruglio, Kevin McCullough, Robert Thierfelder, Joseph Belmont U. Lavender, Stephen Mankowski, Joseph Boston College Ferraro, Briana Brevard College Meanor, Grace British Columbia, U of He, Meihua Bucknell University Iwaoka, Peter Caldwell Com. Col. Kuhn, Joseph Catawba College Brodrick, Jonathan Hebert, Adam Olsen, TJ Catholic U of America Killian, Ashley Central Florida, U of Lewis, Nicholas

Central Piedmont CC Anthony, Tyler Burk, Emily Crowley, Haley Dixon, Phillip Faure, John Immel, Matthew Johnson, Lauren Leech, Patricia Mirabal, Cameron Pautz, Amanda Sellie, Dillon Valentino, Stephen Vandenberg, Daniel Walters, Matthew College of Charleston Brady, Claire Errico, Colbie Mueller, Sean Citadel, The Barkley, Michael City Year Internship Gaeckle, Anna Clemson University Bertelsen, Dustin Clark, James Clement, Andrew Draheim, Payton Gottcent, Nicole Helline, Quintin Johnson, Nicholas Krause, Clarice Lindsey, Kyle Lippincott, Abigail Murray, Connor Murray, Dylan Muscatell, Lauren

Reinhart, Michaela Silvagno, Simone Coastal Carolina U. Luckie, Kyle Colorado, U of at Boulder Francomano, Kristen Culinary Inst. of America Cummingham, Felice Davidson College Ashlin, Katrina Denver, U of Keogh, Georgina Duke Univ.

Cristante, Caitlin East Carolina U. Bartolomeo, Chelsea Carlin, Brittany Catone, Molly Ecuyer, Woods Federal, Gina Fiato, Nicole Gallagher, Helen Keough, Margaret McFeeters, Tanner McNealy, Molly McOwen, Evan Meagher, Phillip Modzik, Adrian Murphy, Devan Ober, Matthew Pauli, Meredith Pierson, Benson Pierson, Karin Sabates, Pax Sullivan, Shannon Verhein, Ashley

Vermillion, Erin Vliet, Riley Wills, Logan Wolljung, Margaret Wylie, Olivia

Georgia Southern U. Zuniga, Alexandra

Miami U. Kayes, Marlee

Hampden-Sydney Col. Brookmon, Bennett

Michigan, U of Hibler, Megan

Elon Univ.

Buttner, Caitlin Cahill, Andrea Focht, Julianna Shuback, Angela Tolley, Ashley

High Point U. Baeza, Alejandro Blackshaw, Tyler Dann, Meredith Rose, Elizabeth Rummel, Dana

Mississippi State U. Varner, Kyle

Erskine College Johnson, Victoria

Holy Cross, Col of the Manning, Collin Vercauteren, Kevin

Flagler College Fitzpatrick, Elyse Stewart, Daniel

Howard U. Stinson, Cearra

Fordham U. Begley, Ryan

Indiana U. at Bloomington Chung, Jaemin

Furman U. Scobey, Kimberly

James Madison U. Brydon, Kathryn

Gardner-Webb U. Voyles, Ryan

Kent School Clark, Natalie

George Washington U. Newman, Kelsey

Kent State U. Davis, Kelsie

Georgetown U. Ivey, James Michael

Kentucky, U of Riney, Margaret Sgueglia, Alexander

Georgia Tech Bonn, Alexander Georgia, U of Daly, Gabriel Hartpence, John Hinson, Hayley Pagano, Jenna Robbe, Allison

Lees-McRae College Burgess, Kevin Life Univ.

Finger, James Maryland, U of White, Austin

U of Mississippi Beach, Matthew Straughn, William UNC-Asheville St. Angelo, Luke UNC-Chapel Hill Babler, Rachel Batres, Michael Brodowicz, CJ Bryson, Carter Carmichael, John Demick, Jessica Fussell, Elizabeth Gaffey, Amanda Ganzert, Graves Graziano, Robert Kirchmer, Shannon LeFlore, Michael Levy, Martin Lopez, Anthony Manasa, Stephanie May, Morgan McDermott, Ellen O’Connell, Lauren Ryan, Andrew Schilly, Kelci Walker, Katherine Warnement, Samantha Welsh, Laura Williamson, Katherine

Winters, Drew UNC-Charlotte Brooks, Christine Flynn, Charles Huson, Joseph Levi, Nicholas Park, Byron Roche, Margaret Serio, Steven Thigpen, Brock Villacura, Nicolas Woodbury, Nelson UNC-Greensboro Bloch, Marie-Louise Burlando, John Motuz, David Sawicki, Katelin Schachter, Nicole Werkmeister, Ryan UNC-Pembroke Lavoie, Andrew Nguyen, Christina UNC-Wilmington Bahr, Kevin Brennan, Andrew Burke, Victoria Gaffey, Clay Heeg, Ally Hogan, Shannon Jackson, Miles Kilmartin, Alex Knish, Mary Lavoie, Evan McLoughlin, Katherine McLoughlin, Kelly Notarangelo, Michael Phillip, Sloane

June 3, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

PhotoS provided by Debbie Mowrey and Gerry Hagarty

Asheville Catholic celebrates Above, Asheville Catholic School Principal Donna Gilson celebrated her retirement with a party at the school May 27. Pictured with her is the kindergarten class.

At left, Asheville Catholic also hosted a pastors’ appreciation luncheon last month for Father Adrian Porros from St. Barnabas Church, Father Wilbur Thomas from St. Lawrence Basilica and Father Ed Sheridan from St. Eugene Church. Pictured are kindergartners playing “Five Little Ducks” on handbells during the luncheon.

Shefte, Shea Underwood, Linda NC School of the Arts Shay, Dylan North Carolina St. U Albright, Rebecca Aneralla, Amanda Bellotti, Adriano Biermann, Alex Brennan, Edward Delaney, Cory Demaine, Devon Fawcett, Stephen Gauch, Matthew Gorman, Patrick Hageman, Sean Hilgen, Reid Hughes, Bailey Le, Julie MacDevette, Kelly Martinez, Kelly McElravey, John Moore, Spencer Morrell, Aliana Nguyen, Jennifer Nguyen, Tina Olynick, Peter Pavlusik, Michaela Portigue, James Potenski, Kyle Segodnia, Kathryn Shaffer, Katherine Skelton, Allyn Smart, McKenna Smith, Jordan Turley, Michael White, Lara Northeastern U. Paris, Ashley Notre Dame, U of Gauthier, Laura Ohio Wesleyan U. Donohue, Jack Oxford College of Emory U.

Nolan, John Pennsylvania State U. Augliera, Anthony Claunch, David Kennan, Garrett McEntee, Shannon Presbyterian College Ready, Jena Providence College Kelly, Eleanor Queens U. of Charlotte Curran, Jacqueline Elonga, Desy Ernest, Paige Gialenios, Ben Hill, Margaret Huang, Jun Richmond, U of Farley, Adam McFadden, Meghan Savannah Col., Art & Design Hoffman, Connor Shorter U. Selland, Blake South Alabama, U of Bayne, Mary South Carolina, U of Blake, Zachary Cairon, Sasha Cook, Thomas Dick, Jordan Dunderdale, Charlotte Eagle, Nicole Eggebrecht, Elizabeth Hosmann, Paul James, Tanner Jose, Abel King, Rebecca Meakin, Charles Mercado, Emil Murray, Katherine

Peterson, Jonathan Ramirez, Alex Randall, Joshua Randazzo, Alesandra Rosenthal, Matthew Sardo, Michael Seaborn, Anna VanDyne, Matthew Watt, Collin Wood, Katherine Tennessee, U of Favory, Jacob Gaeckle, Erin Toledo, U of Henshaw, Elisabeth Tulane U. Sullivan, Daniel Tusculum College Button, Sharon US Air Force Academy Corso, Joseph US Military Academy Jensen, Alex US Naval Academy Ryan, Daniel Vanderbilt U. Sowho, Emudiare Virginia Military Inst.

Smith, Shane Virginia Tech Dahan, Antoine Donahue, Samuel Lozovski, Lukas Wake Forest U. Monroe, Cynthia Pacifici, Matthew Western Carolina U. Bratschi, Nicholas Ferraris, Stephanie Hess, Megan Lane, Ali

Thomas, Benjamin Western Kentucky U. Roy, Jesse Williams College Duong, Binh Winthrop U. Norton, Matthew Rodriquez, Joseph Switzer, Lauren Wofford College Langley, Kennan

BMCHS Appalachian State U David Byrd Amy Carver Mark Alexander Craig Ethan Culberson Tara Dankof Donald Gies III Joseph Hirsh Lindsey Hynes Kristin Jobe Rachel Long Daniel Manna Scott McVicker Caitlin O’Neil Danielle Plourd Joshua Ricci Grace Strand Audrey Thomas Auburn University Preston McGurn Averett University Jared Pluciniczak Belmont Abbey Col. Anna Santarelli Nicholas Sgroi Sarah Slazyk Berklee Col. of Music Chase Noble

Boston University Kye Ryeong Kim Brown University Jeanine Mason Caldwell CC Brian Roche Cape Fear CC Ashley Stansfield Catawba College Michael Peterson Citadel, The Peter LaMuraglia Todd Turman Clemson University Collin Eichhorn Matthew Urban Coastal Carolina CC Lindsey Evans DePaul University Bradley Hoban Dayton, U of Joseph Riazzi William Shaw Duke University Ryan Gaylord East Carolina U James Black William Dawson James Foster Hannah Judd Anne Phoenix Kyle Ridenhour Elon University Nicholas Cook Aidan Ganzert Sarah Pickett Dominique Preudhomme Findlay, U of Peter Fields

Forsyth Tech CC Khari Cunningham Michael Gregory Cynthia Vanderpool Guilford Tech CC Taylor Barrow Michael Bresson Dylan Ferri Junghoon Han Carissa Lukoff Oliver Milani Maria Paloumbas Tony Thompson High Point University Kathleen O’Rourke Dalylah Rogers Kentucky, University of Alison Stavola Louisville, University of Kevin Roberts Mercer University John Kirby Farrington Michigan State University Michael Urban Military Service Christopher Guidry Mount Holyoke College Mary Isabelle Book NC State University Jessica Burns Martin DeFrancesco, Jr. Kevin Ferretti Peter Jacoby Preston Khan Anna Komsa Stephen Marrujo Robert Mealin Allison O’Halloran Rachel Ann Oneyear Immaculate Sangalang Elizabeth Stout

Richmond, U of Stephanie deGuzman Santa Fe College Ryan Healy South Carolina, U of Connor Spillane St. Andrews Presby. Col. Geno Guilyard UNC - Asheville Allison Meyer UNC - Chapel Hill Alexandra Bray Megan Buckland Caitlyn Carmean Alexandra Dascoli Katherine Davis McKenzie Spaugh Alissa Tepedino UNC - Charlotte James Cardwell Andrew Dolge Keven Graban Jennifer McGee Patrick Mullin Ashly Oehler Casey Smith Charles Spencer Katherine Watkins

UNC - Greensboro Abigail Armstrong Kelsey Bradford Marisa Lazusky Annelise Tikkanen UNC - Pembroke Elizabeth Schweighart UNC - Wilmington Catherine Dudley Clay Sexton Geoffrey Valcour Virginia Military Inst.

Nicholas Maul Virginia Tech Hyun Uk Noh Wake Forest University Daniel Barrett Eun Hyeok Lee Trevor Snyder Washington State University Sangwon Shin Undecided Jaci Conry Shane Delaney Justin Kelly Lindsay Morgan Matthew Rembielak

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iiiJune 3, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com

FROM TH

Environmental stewardship

‘An integrity to creation’ In 2008 solar panels were installed on the Pope Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican. A year later, the Vatican added a solar cooling unit to its main cafeteria. And last year, it was reported that Pope Benedict XVI expressed a desire to have the “popemobile” built as a solarpowered vehicle. Last month, a report commissioned by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences asserted that “we must protect the habitat that sustains us.”

It might be tempting to say that the Catholic Church is only following a recent trend to “go green.” But don’t be mistaken. Environmental stewardship is deeply rooted in Church tradition. The Catechism of the Catholic Church points out that “creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God’s works.”

Expounding upon this truth, Pope Benedict, while in Australia for the World Youth Day 2008, reminded everyone of “the need to protect the environment.” He told those gathered that there is a majesty in God’s creation: “The views afforded of our planet … evoke a profound sense of awe.” When reflecting on the many wonders of creation, he said, “it is as though one catches glimpses of the Genesis creation story – light and darkness, the sun and the moon, the waters, the earth and living creatures, all of which are ‘good’ in God’s eyes.”

Pope Benedict’s eco-friendly stance is not something recent. In fact, his predecessor, Blessed Pope John Paul II, frequently proclaimed our moral obligation to protect the sacred creation of God. During the celebration of the World Day of Peace in 1990, the late pontiff said, “Our very contact with nature has a deep restorative power” and that “no peaceful society can afford to neglect … the fact that there is an integrity to creation.”

While admiring the natural beauties of the world, Pope Benedict once asked, “Who could not echo the words of the Psalmist in praise of the Creator: ‘how majestic is your name in all the earth’?”

Because of the glory that creation gives to its Creator, and because of the numerous threats arising from the neglect of the earth, the pope tells the faithful that “respect for creation is of immense consequence.”

— Christopher Lux, correspondent

St. Luke Church in Mint Hill has been certified by the N.C. Wildlife Federation as a “F.A.I.T.H. site,” for the development of its 30-acre natural area, pond and garden which provide a habi Stations of the Cross, and the property contains many areas for people to come to pray and enjoy the tranquility of God’s creation.

St. Luke’s garden: ‘Alive with many kinds Christopher Lux Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — Last week I spent an afternoon at St. Luke Church in Charlotte. It was a beautiful, clear spring day. My hosts included tadpoles, butterflies, finches, goldfish, and a very vocal tree frog. My human hostess was Debbie Foster, or “Mother Nature,” as she is jokingly called.

As we walked near the little pond on the 30acre property, Foster explaining the church’s environmental projects to me, another guest suddenly arrived: a great blue heron with a wing span of about five feet. As I watched the

grand bird peacefully wade through the pond, I knew that St. Luke Church had truly created a marvelous wildlife habitat.

Foster, a volunteer gardener for the church, took special care to show me all the flowers, trees, water sources, bluebird houses, and the butterfly mud pond. These things were just some of many that have made St. Luke Church a certified F.A.I.T.H. site. F.A.I.T.H. stands for “Fellowship Actions Impacting the Habitat.”

F.A.I.T.H. certification, done through the N.C. Wildlife Federation, is a non-denominational program that recognizes and certifies places of worship that meet requirements for a wildlifefriendly habitat. It is designed to encourage ongoing stewardship of wildlife.

Foster describes the church’s property as with many kinds of creatures.” The surrou area consists of a creek, a man-made pond of unmowed grass, two large garden areas, an abundance of trees and shrubs. When th garden, the parishioners try to use only na plants, because these plants will bear the n seeds and berries that provide food for nati wildlife.

While St. Luke Church has a greater amo of property than most churches, Foster ass people, “You could technically do somethin like this on an apartment balcony.” The fou components of habitat that guide the F.A.I. certification process are: food (native plant or feeders), water (used for drinking, bathi

HE COVER

Christopher Lux Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — In January 2010 free energy audits were done at two Charlotte churches: St. Peter and Our Lady of Consolation. The audits, conducted by a N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources engineer, suggested ways the churches could reduce their energy usage. By carrying out suggestions made by the auditor, the parishes have followed the Church’s social teaching of being good stewards of their resources.

Our Lady of Consolation Church The walk-through audit at Our Lady of Consolation was made possible by Willis Joseph, the chair of the parish’s facilities commission. Interested in reducing energy usage, church members were determined to make changes. It was not easy; their limited funds are already committed to busy ministries such as the food pantry, prayer shawl ministry, and dinners for the homeless.

But still, changes they made were simple – things anyone can do to save on energy costs. They bought a programmable thermostat to better control room temperature and they replaced old door sweeps to eliminate air leaks.

Their biggest project was expensive, but still they pushed ahead with the improvements – thanks in part to a $3,000 grant from the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace and volunteer help. They redesigned their HVAC system’s ducts to provide better air circulation, and they installed a suspended acoustic ceiling in two classrooms, reducing by 25 percent the amount of space needing to be heated and cooled. While Joseph and the parish’s part-time maintenance man were putting in the new classroom ceiling, they also upgraded the lighting to make it more energy-efficient.

The parish still has more work to be done, but the steps they’ve taken have already been significant for a church of this size.

St. Peter Church Photos by Christopher Lux | Catholic News Herald

s of creatures’

ount sures ng ur .T.H. ts ing

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Churches make changes to cut energy costs

itat for native plants and wildlife. The pond is encircled by an outdoor

s “alive unding d, areas , and hey ative nectar, ive

June 3, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

and breeding), cover (shelter for wildlife from bad weather and predators), and places to raise young.

Cultivating an appreciation and awareness of nature is just one of many ways that churches can be good stewards of God’s creation. A church is an ideal place to create wildlife habitats. As Foster says, “If you can’t expect a church to support God’s creation, who in the world will?”

She is happy to talk with anyone interested in creating a certified wildlife habitat either at their home or at their church. E-mail her at fostdebbie@gmail.com. Church members can also learn more about F.A.I.T.H. certification on the Web at www.ncwf.org/Habitat%20Programs/ index.

Debbie Foster, a volunteer gardener for the church, sits near the pond amidst all the flowers, trees, bluebird houses and more.

St. Peter’s energy audit was organized by Ted Hughes, the parish’s building and maintenance director. What the parish did following their audit serves as a prime example of being able to do a lot of small things that make a big difference overall.

Their audit uncovered a huge energy-waster: the commercial coffee maker. It has a tank that produces hot water non-stop to be ready for use at anytime of the day. The problem is that the church does not need hot water 24 hours a day. So the parish had an electrician install a timer on the circuit breaker for the coffee maker that automatically shuts it off at night. The end result? Their coffee maker uses half the energy it used to.

Because the outside lights were being left on during the day, photo cells were put on them so that they would turn on and off automatically. The refrigerator and freezer had been pushed up against the wall, and, Hughes noted, “They needed space; they were not getting proper circulation.” After moving them four inches away from the wall, he said, “I have noticed them running significantly less often.”

The parish installed programmable thermostats and swapped out their old light bulbs for newer, more efficient fluorescent bulbs.

Mix

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 3, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

created in the Paleolithic Era. CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents), MPAA: G

In theaters ‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams’ Spellbinding 3-D documentary on the 32,000-year-old paintings in the Chauvet cave of southern France. Director Werner Herzog includes frank discussions of paintings and sculptures of nude women, making this better appreciated by mature adolescents, just as with any other visit to an art museum. Herzog uses the 3-D technology to expertly capture the paintings in the depth they were meant to convey when they were

as he learns about his origins and confronts the power-hungry peacock responsible for his parents’ demise. Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson keeps the action moving along at a brisk pace, overseeing by-the-numbers visuals and imparting an anodyne message concerning the path toward inner peace: Move beyond the past and focus on the present. Mild fantasy violence.

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

‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’ Perfunctory if unobjectionable animated sequel follows rotund martial arts warrior Po

In the adequate fourth movie inspired by the amusement park ride, Captain Jack Sparrow leads various seafarers, his nemesis Captain Barbossa, an old flame and the evil pirate Blackbeard, to the Fountain of Youth. Recurring action-adventure violence and peril, and frequent alcohol consumption.

On TV n Sunday, June 5, 1:30-3 p.m. (EWTN) “In Concert: Popular Choral Classics.” The Choir of St. John’s College and organist Peter Davis perform favorite anthems and hymns by Mozart, Haydn, Brahms, Byrd, Grieg, Bruckner and Mendelssohn, among others. Christopher Robinson conducts this concert from St. John’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England. n Monday, June 6, 6:30-7 p.m. (EWTN) “Road to Rome: Training Priests for the Third Millennium.”

This inside look at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and its method for training the priests of the new millennium includes interviews with various international seminarians and priests who have attended the institution.

CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents), MPAA: PG-13

‘Priest’ This malign futuristic horror exercise, set after an apocalyptic war in which a distorted version of the Catholic Church helped humanity to defeat a race of vampires, sees the consecrated warrior of the title defying his dictatorial religious superiors, who now hold Big Brother-style sway over society, to go in quest of his niece, abducted during a fresh outbreak of bloodsucker violence. Director Scott Stewart’s adaptation of Min-Woo Hyung’s series of graphic novels depicts sacramental practice in a borderline blasphemous way, appropriates cherished Christian symbols to its own, often violent ends, and presents the Church as a corrupt, evil force against which its hero is honor-bound to rebel.

CNS: O (morally offensive), MPAA: PG-13

n Monday, June 6, 8-9:30 p.m. (check local listings) (PBS) “Jackie Evancho: Dream With Me in Concert.” This episode of the series “Great Performances” features Evancho, the 11-yearold girl with the big voice who came to national prominence on “America’s Got Talent.” n Tuesday, June 7, 8-9:30 p.m. (check local listings) (PBS) “Opry Memories.” John Schneider hosts this look back at the golden era of country music with standards from Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Lynn and others. n Saturday, June 11, 1:30-3:30 p.m. (TCM) “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (1960). Good production of the Mark Twain classic, though Eddie Hodges is a mite sweet as Huck and former boxing champ Archie Moore a bit stiff as the runaway slave, Jim. Enjoyable family fare. CNS: A-I (general patronage), MPAA: Not rated

June 3, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Faith

“ is our foundation. It brings joy to all who live in this beautiful retirement neighborhood.”

Sister Lucy Hennessy,SMG

Chairman, Board of Directors

(336) 821-4050 or toll-free

(866) 627-9343

Decades ago, a group of Sisters came from England extending their mission of care to repay American soldiers who served in World War II. In 2007, they expanded this mission and built a vibrant, faith-based community for active, independent retirement-aged people. Nestled near Jamestown, today’s Pennybyrn will make your spirits soar with carefree living, good friends, great fun, and easy access to daily Mass. Come discover this new vision for retirement living today.

www.PennybyrnAtMaryfield.org 109 Penny Rd., High Point, NC 27260

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 3, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Seminaries FROM PAGE 5

“All Christians – and priests among them – should strive to achieve in their personal lives a balance between contemplation and action, and a balance in terms of their own personality where attention can be paid to all things that are necessary for spiritual growth,” he said.

Both Father Bzroska and Father Allen said a challenge for every priest is to keep his ongoing formation in mind as he tackles a demanding job that requires pastoral work, sacramental care and administrative demands. Additionally, priests are often isolated in far-flung parishes from other priests who can support them and share their understanding of the need for continued development in what can be a stressful, lonely and emotional job.

Bzroska said priests are commissioned to continue Christ’s work and they do that as humans who have unique personalities and the shared desire to minister to the faithful no matter where or how God calls them. Human formation, he said, is a tool that gives a priest “good self awareness, self understanding and effective maturity.”

Dennehy

Buettner

FROM PAGE 5

FROM PAGE 8

think I ever said no to the Lord.”

The sisters brought a visible Catholic presence to an area with few Catholics and considerable misunderstanding about the Church. The few Catholics in the area included those of Irish, Polish and Italian descent. Sister Julia said, “it was Baptist territory.” One day, she recalled, two male hospital patients were talking and one said about the sisters, “too bad – nice people all going to hell.”

The other man replied, “Well, if they do, they will give it a good cleaning.”

Sister Julia held several positions of trust throughout her years at St. Mary’s Hospital and in the parish of St. Anthony in Norton. In 1988, Sister Julia became a U.S. citizen. She retired in 2000 after 44 years of

service, and she remained at the convent in Norton until it closed in 2005 and she then moved to Maryfield.

Sister Julia will be greatly missed by her cousin, Sister Ann Harrington, CP, and a large circle of family and friends, as well as by her congregation’s family, staff and friends in Pennybyrn at Maryfield and at St. Mary’s Hospital and St. Anthony Church in Norton.

The sisters request that memorial contributions be made to the Resident Care Fund, Pennybyrn at Maryfield, 1315 Greensboro Road, High Point, or to Hospice of Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, N.C. 27262.

— Deacon Ronald Steinkamp contributed

is a brief moment of silence to allow us the opportunity to collect our petitions and intentions. The celebrant extends his hands in prayer, known as the “orans position,” the typical prayer posture for the early Christians or for those who are in petition or supplication. The prayer may express an attribute or characteristic of the saint who is honored on a particular feast day, express the tone of a particular liturgical season, or simply draw together and bind various petitions to the Mass.

Monsignor Knox suggests that these collects join our thoughts and concerns into a brief “telegram”: “…just for once, now that we are all together, let us send a joint message of salutation to Almighty God; exiles thinking about home.” The faithful participate in this prayer by responding “Amen,” which means “So be it.” It is an assent to all that has been accomplished in the Introductory Rites of the Mass: from humility, to praise, and finally, to petition, which we ask through the mediation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in union with the Holy Spirit.

Father Matthew Buettner is the pastor of St. Dorothy Church in Lincolnton.

This is excerpted from “Understanding the Mystery of the Mass – Revisited,” available for purchase online at www.tedeumfoundation.org. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of land for a future seminary in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Previous columns are archived online at www.catholicnewsherald.com.

June 3, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

In Brief

Vicariate discusses needs of Burmese refugees

Local Knights help pregnancy center MAGGIE VALLEY — Eric Yarrington, Deputy Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 12478 (Maggie Valley), recently presented a check for $1,000 to Deb Woods, CEO of Asheville Pregnancy Support Services. The check represents proceeds from the pro-life baby bottle drive conducted by the Knights this spring. The funds will be used to help women in crisis find alternatives to terminating their pregnancies.

— Paul Viau

WINSTON-SALEM — At a meeting of the Winston-Salem vicariate May 11, members listened to Redemptorist Father Vang Cong Tran, a priest in residence at St. James the Greater Church in Concord, as he discussed the needs of the more than 90 Catholic Burmese refugees who have recently settled in the area.

Father Michael Buttner, pastor of Holy Family Church in Clemmons, has been directed by Monsignor Mauricio West, diocesan vicar general and chancellor, to help assess the refugees’ needs and recommend ways to help meet them.

After an initial discussion with members of the refugee community, transportation to Mass appears to be one of their greatest needs.

— SueAnn Howell

SonFest 2011 is coming CHARLOTTE — St. John Neumann Church is gearing up for SonFest 2011 – a family festival featuring games, rides, ethnic and traditional fair foods, a petting zoo, entertainment, arts and crafts, silent auctions and more – set for Friday and Saturday, June 17-18, at the church located

17

at 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte. For details, go to www.4sjnc.org/sonfest2011.

Pennybyrn Gardens in full bloom HIGH POINT — Pennybyrn at Maryfield invites the public to enjoy the gardens around the pool/ fountain area of the Health Care Center this summer, a project of Elizabeth Gloster, Anne Carr, Bob Pruett and the Sedgefield Garden Club. Pictured above with Gloster and Carr is Monsignor Joseph Kerin, who blessed the new flower garden May 6.

— Elizabeth Gloster

JPII Culture Day held CHARLOTTE — Jason Murphy played ‘God the Father’ during the performance of “The Missing Archangel” at the Monsignor Allen Center at St. Ann Church during the celebration of John Paul II Cultural Day May 29. Children from homeschool families in the Diocese of Charlotte were “angels” in the production. Children also performed music and poetry and displayed artwork during the event.

— SueAnn Howell

Our nation 18

catholicnewsherald.com | June 3, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

Father Justin Monaghan, pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Joplin, Mo., hugs children May 24 outside what’s left of the church, which was destroyed by the massive F-5 tornado that hit Joplin the evening of May 22.

Father Monaghan found shelter in the bathtub of the rectory only seconds before the tornado brought the entire building down around him.

In Brief Pope names bishop for Rapid City WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Monsignor Robert D. Gruss of the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa, to be bishop of Rapid City, S.D. Bishop-designate Gruss, 55, is rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport. He succeeds Bishop Blase J. Cupich, who was named bishop of Spokane, Wash., in June 2010 and installed in the diocese in September. He will be ordained and installed as the eighth head of the diocese July 28.

Tennessee church elevated to basilica CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Chattanooga, Tenn., has been elevated to a minor basilica. Bishop Richard F. Stika of Knoxville made the announcement to parishioners May 12. Pope Benedict XVI has declared and mandated this church now be known as the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. The church was built in 1890 and is the 69th U.S. church named a minor basilica and the first in Tennessee to be so honored.

— Catholic News Service

CNS | Emily Molinaro, The Mirror

Tornado survivors in Joplin begin recovery Mason T. Beecroft Catholic News Service

JOPLIN, Mo. — The devastating scene left by the massive F-5 tornado that hit Joplin the evening of May 22 can best be described as apocalyptic.

The tornado cut a swath of destruction three-fourths of a mile wide and six miles long, claiming at least 142 lives with more than 916 injured and 29 still missing. Nearly every building in its path was left in total ruin.

The powerful winds uprooted trees and tossed cars. They toppled bricks, bent steel, snapped power lines, sheared limbs and stripped bark off trees.

In a May 25 news conference for area faith leaders, Missouri Gov. Jeremiah Nixon, upon witnessing the catastrophic destruction at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, described it as a war zone.

St. Mary’s Church was in the storm’s direct path. The church, elementary school, rectory, parish hall and the St. Vincent de Paul building – the original church from 1938 – were all leveled by the storm.

“Most people’s emotions are still too raw for them to begin processing this catastrophic event,” said Father Justin Monaghan, pastor. “I just want to tell them, ‘Our prayers are with you and we will rejoin you in rebuilding, healing, and renewal in the midst of the pain you are all suffering.’”

Father Monaghan found shelter in the bathtub of the rectory only seconds before the tornado brought the entire building down around him. He was trapped for hours,

but parishioners eventually found him safe and dug him out of the ruins.

Parishioners retrieved the Blessed Sacrament from the church’s shattered tabernacle. Only the large steel cross at what was the church’s entrance remains, towering over the wreckage.

The priest said he has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from his parishioners. “I hope that I am reaching out to others as much as they have been reaching out to me.”

“My faith has been strengthened by the amazing response of people in our parish and in the community. And to see the cross still standing reminds us what our mission is all about,” he told the Eastern Oklahoma Catholic, the publication of the Diocese of Tulsa, Okla.

Joplin is in the western Missouri Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The city sits close to the state line bordering Kansas and Oklahoma.

For parishioners, the emotional toll of the physical destruction pales in comparison to the pain of the human suffering. Tragically, one woman in the parish lost her husband, 5-year-old daughter, and 2-year-old son in the storm. They were at Home Depot when the tornado razed the building.

Father J. Friedel, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Joplin, and Gene Koester, principal of McAuley Catholic High School, were busy offering pastoral care, support and leadership since the storm struck.

St. Peter and McAuley are only a couple miles from St. Mary’s, but were left untouched by the tornado. Since the storm,

the high school has been serving as a triage center, hospital, storm shelter and sleep facility. Residents and staff of a destroyed nursing home were now making the gym their temporary home.

Koester had not slept since the evening of May 22, when the tornado struck, going home just long enough to shower and shave.

He said that nearly every one of the school’s 100 students had been volunteering around the clock, with the only exceptions being those who have lost their homes or family members.

“The kids have just been amazing.

Students and their parents have given of themselves and their mindset is entirely on helping. It is remarkable, but not surprising.

It is also part of the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy who founded our school,” he said.

Father Friedel said providing care at this point is difficult as everything keeps shifting, depending on the immediate needs of the people who have been displaced or injured, and the subsequent storms that continue to come through the area. Still, Father Friedel was heartened by the selfless and dedicated service offered by the Catholic faithful in Joplin.

Father Friedel told the congregation at Mass: “Sometimes only tears, laughter and love can get us through our disasters. ... We are going to be OK. For us, losing our lives is not the end. This does not make light of the pain and suffering, but reminds us that God in Christ is in the middle of our lives. This disaster cannot win. Easter reminds us that Jesus will make all things right in the end.”

June 3, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Reports on religious congregations set for completion by year’s end Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 400 reports on the status of U.S.-based religious congregations of women will be sent to the Vatican by the end of the year by the apostolic visitator overseeing a years-long study of American religious life.

Mother Mary Clare Millea, superior general of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the apostolic visitator appointed by the Vatican, said she started compiling the reports in September with the goal of completing them by Dec. 31.

The reports – the fourth and final step in the visitation process – will summarize information obtained from multiple sources, including the 90 onsite visits to religious communities that concluded in December, she said.

Mother Clare also planned to send a separate report offering an overview of U.S. religious life to the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Some of the 405 reports will include comments from individual members of religious congregations who offered observations and comments outside of the official visits, Mother Clare said.

“We got some,” she said when asked how many individual responses were received.

“Some were very interesting,” she added, declining to elaborate.

Responses from a questionnaire sent to the congregations in late 2009 as well as information Mother Clare obtained in

earlier discussions and correspondence with superiors of religious communities also will be included in the reports.

The visitation was initiated in January 2009 by Cardinal Franc Rode, who has since retired, to learn why the number of members in religious communities of women in the U.S. had declined since the late 1960s. The visitation also was to examine the quality of life in the communities for some 67,000 religious women.

Under Cardinal Rode’s guidelines, the report when submitted was not to be shared with the religious communities.

The Church investigation initially sparked questions from some congregational leaders, who said that Cardinal Rode’s announcement came without warning and seemed to imply that the congregations were doing something wrong. Some congregations also were slow to respond to the visitation questionnaire, leading Mother Clare to resend letters encouraging their participation in the process.

Mother Clare said she has spent much of her time since September working on the reports in Hamden, Conn., where the U.S. province of her congregation is based, making occasional trips to Rome to handle her responsibilities as head of her order.

“Hopefully, by the end of summer I will have the majority of the reports done,” she said. “It’s been an enriching experience to see the variety of charisms, the ways different communities live the same values regarding religious life and vows and also the beautiful ministries that are done by

sisters throughout the country and beyond.”

In March, the apostolic visitation office gathered the dozens of religious who visited the congregations in Hamden for a three-day meeting to review their work.

The meeting offered the visitors the chance to share their impressions of the onsite visits and their observations of some of the common challenges and hopes U.S. religious communities face.

American-born Archbishop Joseph W.

Classified

Tobin, secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, addressed the gathering.

“My own team and the visitors were very much encouraged by the great sensitivity and the listening by Bishop Tobin and the assurance that he would be taking to heart and working with the members dicastery to see that the Holy See will do whatever they can to help with the revitalization of our congregations,” Mother Clare said.

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Our world

20

catholicnewsherald.com | June 3, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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A man walks in front of a billboard featuring an image of Pope Benedict XVI in Zagreb, Croatia, May 27. Pope Benedict will meet with politicians and professionals, families and clergy on his first trip to Croatia June 4-5.

In Brief Caritas elects two leaders ROME — Members of Caritas Internationalis elected an official from the French charity Secours Catholique to be their secretary general and re-elected Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa as president of the confederation of 165 Catholic charities. Michel Roy, director of international advocacy for the French Catholic charity, was elected to a four-year term.

New head of Syro-Malabar Church elected VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI confirmed the election of the new head of India’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. Bishop George Alencherry of Thuckalay, 66, was elected major archbishop of ErnakulamAngamaly by the Syro-Malabar bishops’ synod May 24. Archbishop Alencherry succeeds Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, who died at age 84 while celebrating Mass April 1.

Sister Dulce, ‘Brazil’s Mother Teresa,’ beatified SALVADOR, Brazil — Despite intermittent rain, 70,000 people gathered in a park recently for the beatification of the nun sometimes called Brazil’s Mother Teresa.

Born as Maria Rita de Souza Brito Lopes Pontes in 1914, she was known to Brazilian Catholics as simply Sister Dulce, the mother of the poor. Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo of Salvador celebrated the beatification Mass with more than 500 archbishops, bishops and priests in attendance.

— Catholic News Service

CNS | Nikola Solic, Reuters

Evangelization’s source: Pope’s journey to Croatia highlights family Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — The focus of Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to Zagreb, Croatia, June 4-5 will be on the family and building a community with Christian values.

In the 84-year-old pope’s 19th trip abroad and his 13th to a European country, he also will continue to underline the importance he places on reviving Europe’s Christian roots.

Even though Croatia is an overwhelmingly Catholic country, it has undergone hardships that have tested its foothold on faith: two World Wars, a Nazi invasion and then communist rule under the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Today threats continue, but under a different guise, said the spokesman of the Croatian bishops’ conference.

“Croatia is not an island and as such is facing all of the challenges that are prevalent in western countries,” said the spokesman, Zvonimir Ancic. First among them is “a rampant secularism whose small, but very vocal proponents, with the backing of the majority of the mass media, are actively trying to deconstruct all elements of Croatia’s traditional Catholic identity,” he said in an e-mail response to questions.

Major challenges facing the church in Croatia include the country’s “very liberal law regulating abortion,” and proposed measures to legalize adoption for same-sex couples, as

well as fresh debates about euthanasia, he said.

Twenty years after its independence, Croatia is set to join the European Union this year.

Pope Benedict is concerned that as Croatia joins the larger political and economic arena, it does not lose its own religious and cultural identity, but rather brings its Christian values to a wider forum.

Croatia is a different country from the one Blessed Pope John Paul II visited in 1994, 1998 and 2003. The late pope went at critical moments in Croatia’s evolution: first as the country was engaged in its 1991-1995 war of independence from Yugoslavia, and then as it sought to rebuild a democratic nation still scarred by religious and ethnic tensions.

Blessed John Paul told the nation in 2003 that Christianity was the answer to its challenges because it offers nations the solid foundations of universally shared values, such as respect for human life and dignity, religious freedom and solidarity – a message that Pope Benedict will likely repeat.

Croatia is holding its first national meeting of Catholic families this year and the pope will celebrate Mass on “National Family Day” June 5.

The Croatian bishops chose “Together with Christ” as the theme of the visit to underline the importance of creating a community that has eternal Christian values as its foundation. The theme, according to the official missal prepared for the trip, is meant to help people look toward the

future and “the requirements of the new evangelization, which begins first of all within Christian families.”

Ancic said the pope will help “encourage and uplift sometimes-tired spirits,” give momentum to people during these challenging times and instill fresh hope in those suffering from the ongoing economic recession.

The pope’s 33-hour stay in Croatia’s capital will hit the basics: meetings and events with the country’s government, academic and business leaders, young people, families and religious. He will give a total of six speeches and one homily.

After meeting the country’s president and prime minister in the morning June 4 and academic, political, business and religious leaders in the afternoon, the pope will take part in a prayer vigil with young people in the city’s Ban Josip Jelacic Square.

A key feature of the youth gathering is meant to be silent prayer – an unusual expectation when there are likely to be thousands of young people gathered in one spot on a summer’s evening. Silence “speaks of the divine presence,” the missal said, “and to be silent in a city square where normally there is nothing but noise becomes and remains a strong sign of the Christian presence in the world.”

The high point of the trip will be the June 5 Mass with families in Zagreb’s hippodrome, the same giant stadium where Blessed John Paul celebrated Mass during his visit in 1994.

June 3, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Vatican conference opens with defense of Church’s AIDS strategy John Thavis Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — A Vatican cardinal opened an international conference on AIDS by strongly defending the Church’s two-pronged strategy against the disease: education of consciences and mobilization of Catholic health resources for patients.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican secretary of state, told more than 100 invited experts May 27 that the Church places human dignity at the center of its

AIDS policies, which necessarily include a solid ethical dimension.

“Educating people to avoid high-risk behavior, when based on solid moral principles, fully demonstrates its effectiveness and translates into greater openness toward those already affected by the virus,” the cardinal said. “When responsibility for one’s own behavior is affirmed, in fact, there is greater awareness of the connection with the rest of the community and greater sensitivity toward those who suffer.”

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Cardinal Bertone underlined the Catholic Church’s massive involvement in treating and caring for AIDS patients through its worldwide network of hospitals, clinics and dispensaries. He said part of the Church’s effort was to help remove the “social stigma” that is still borne by those with HIV and AIDS. The cardinal did not mention the question of condoms in AIDS prevention.

In previous days, the Vatican newspaper ran two articles saying condom campaigns were unsuccessful in stopping the AIDS

epidemic; one article said condom campaigns had increased the possibility of AIDS infection by promoting a false sense of security.

Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, head of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry, told the assembly that the conference would take up the crucial issue of access to health care by AIDS patients in poorer countries.

The conference participants included a top U.N. official, medical experts from various parts of the world and theologians.

ViewPoints

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 3, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

By the numbers

Peggy Bowes

S

Don’t take a vacation from your Sunday obligation

ummer is finally here, so let the vacation planning begin!

Airline tickets: check. Hotel and rental car reservations: check. Bags packed and ready to go: check. Catholic church selected near our destination and appropriate clothes packed: huh?

Part of the fun of traveling is the unique opportunity to visit new parishes, explore different church architecture styles and artwork, or perhaps attend a Mass spoken in a different language. My family traveled in an RV for more than four years, and we visited a wide variety of Catholic churches.

We’ve seen shrines, basilicas, missions, Revolutionary-era chapels and modern “mega churches.” We heard Mass in Spanish in San Antonio, in Latin in South Dakota, and a unique gospel-style Mass in New Orleans. Sometimes the church we chose was a magnificent cathedral in the heart of New York City, other times it was a small chapel tucked into the forest at Big Bear Lake in California. We’ve even planned visits to churches which interest us, such as the Missions in California, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and the Shrine of the Little Flower in San Antonio.

Vacations should be fun and relaxing, but it’s important to remember that our Sunday Mass obligation does not disappear simply because we are not in our home parish. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice.

For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.” (CCC 2181) It is not difficult to locate a church in an unfamiliar city.

No matter how remote our location, I was almost always able to find at least one Catholic church within 10 miles. I used MassTimes.org and Google Maps to find the closest church.

It’s a good idea to check the parish’s Web site or call the office to verify the Mass schedule. We once arrived at an empty parking lot because the evening Mass was canceled for the annual picnic! Give yourself extra time to find the church, as directions aren’t always clear or accurate.

Occasionally, we had to drive a bit out of our way or get up early, but I feel it’s important that my children know that Sunday Mass is not optional. Although we make an adventure out of visiting new churches, I stress the importance of keeping the Third Commandment. Of course, there are exceptions, such as camping in the wilderness or going on a cruise at sea, but planning ahead can eliminate most if not all of such conflicts.

This summer, add “find a church” to your vacation planning checklist. “Whoever observes the day, observes it for the Lord.” (Romans 14:6) Peggy Bowes is a member of Holy Angels Church in Mt. Airy and the author of “The Rosary Workout” (www.rosaryworkout.com).

Ordination Class of 2011

ORDINATION CLASS OF 2011 Some figures about the 480 ordinations to the priesthood expected this year in the U.S.

34

average age of new U.S. priests

69% white

8%

15%

10%

Latino

Asian/ Pacific Islander

converted to Catholicism

17%

have a graduate degree

21%

attended a Catholic high school

39%

attended a World Youth Day celebration prior to seminary

Responses received from 329 of 480 potential ordinands

CNS | Emily Thompson

Source: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate

©2011 CNS

Vocation to priesthood a life, not a career Emily Lahr Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A vocation to the priesthood is a life, not a career, said Father James Arwady.

“Once I got into seminary, God took over,” said the priest, who was ordained in 2010 and is associate pastor at St. Thomas à Becket Church in Canton, Mich.

Father Arwady was a successful engineer for the automobile industry before he felt called to the priesthood.

He studied philosophy at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, for two years and six years of theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. He was ordained for the Detroit archdiocese.

He advised all men who are discerning a call to the priesthood to “pray, pray, pray,” to understand themselves and to hear their calling.

“Prayer is our lifeblood,” Father Arwady said.

Jerry Byrd, who is currently studying for the priesthood, never imagined he would become Catholic, let alone a future priest, but today can hardly wait to live out his vocation.

“It’s funny how God gets His

way,” said Byrd, 30, a member of St. Louis Parish in Batesville, Ind., who is at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. He will soon be ordained as a transitional deacon, one of the final steps before priesthood.

Byrd grew up a Southern Baptist and was taught that Catholics were not Christian. He remembers going to Mass with a Catholic friend and sitting in the balcony of the church, hoping no one would notice he was not participating.

To his surprise, “it rocked my world,” he recalled, particularly with regard to the elevation of the host.

At age 17, he enrolled in a Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults program to become a Catholic. Before he joined the Church, he heard a homily delivered by a priest one Sunday that sparked his interest in the priesthood.

“We need young men to be priests because we need the sacraments,” said the priest. “If you think you can do it, you probably can.”

He said even his mother, who at the time had no understanding of Catholicism or the priesthood, gave him a clay chalice after the Easter Vigil in 1998.

“I always thought that God had

set you apart to be a minister,” his mother told him.

Byrd said his discernment process was not easy. He studied music in college where he wrestled with two vocations – marriage or the priesthood. He continued to date and work as a youth minister for three parishes. Finally, his girlfriend at the time encouraged him to enter the seminary.

Even in the seminary, he said, he would wake up some mornings and argue with himself over why he was there.

“It’s hard to really surrender,” he said, but noted it takes support from others during the discernment process. “Discernment is not about ‘me’ doing, it’s about ‘us’ doing,” he added.

He also said he was encouraged about vocations, noting that when he entered St. Meinrad five years ago there were 90 seminarians, today there are 135, and 140 are enrolled for next fall.

Byrd says the vocation to the priesthood is a beautiful love story.

“It’s about falling in love, head over heels in love” with God, he said.

June 3, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

23

Father John Eckert

One year later, the priesthood is better than I ever imagined it would be R

oughly six months before my ordination to the priesthood, I stood debating with my mother and a priest friend over which image of our Blessed Mother should go on the back of my first Mass vestment. We collectively decided on a beautiful image of Our Lady of Grace and from there, the prayer, preparation and eager anticipation for the big day of ordination continued. Flash forward to the evening of June 4, 2010, the night before my ordination: gathered in the living room of Bishop Peter Jugis’ residence were the bishop, the vicar general, the vocations director, the four of us men to be ordained, and our parents. As Bishop Jugis gave each of us ordinands the envelopes containing our assignments, I think each of us felt an excitement rivaled only by that of a 5-yearold on Christmas morning. I was surprised, excited and nervous to read: “By virtue of this letter, I appoint you Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Greensboro, North Carolina.”

Better than I ever imagined I always knew life as a priest had to be good, I just had no idea it would be this good. Sure, it is busy; although as one of my classmates likes to say, “Busy sounds too negative; we’re active.” It has definitely been an active first year. Like many folks, my day begins before the sun comes up and ends after it goes down, and not just in the winter months. I rise around 5 a.m. to read the daily readings, pray my breviary and drink my coffee. After this fairly consistent routine, every day is different.

Like many parishes, Our Lady of Grace is perpetually active. As our director of religious education told me, “No priest leaves the assignment at OLG thinking,

‘Well, that was easy.’” The parish has roughly 1,800 families and a school which serves 330 students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. What the church has in beauty, it lacks in space, so the pastor and I celebrate eight Sunday Masses each weekend.

One of my favorite aspects of this assignment is the school. At my first school board meeting, we went around the table introducing ourselves to the group. When it came around to the principal, he said proudly, “My name is Gary Gelo, and I have 330 kids in the school.” From that moment on, I adopted that endearing line as my own.

Having been a student in Catholic schools myself, these institutions of faith-based learning have a special place in my heart. I have spent every moment I could this year in either our grade school here at the parish or at Bishop McGuinness High School, where I serve as a part-time chaplain. I think I could probably write a book about the joy of being a priest in a school. In the interest of brevity, I will simply say that I receive far more than I could ever give in getting to be a part of so many lives.

Although it was a bit intimidating at first, another enjoyable and fulfilling part of my work in the parish has been preparing couples for marriage. When I first meet with a couple, I assure them that all that we are about to do over the next several months is for their sake, so that they might have a happy, healthy and holy marriage. Through good, honest discussions, I have been edified to see couples’ relationships grow stronger, their love of Christ in the midst of their relationship taking an ever more prominent role, and I have gained many new friends along the way.

The aspect of my priesthood I appreciate the most so far is probably no surprise to

any priest: I love celebrating Holy Mass. We priests are an incredibly privileged group to hold in our hands the sacramental presence of Our Lord and Savior, to preside over the mysteries of heaven and earth, and to be able to enter into these mysteries each and every day. Sunday has quickly become my favorite day of the week because of the Sunday Mass: a beautiful blend of solemnity and family reunion. High-fiving the countless children in the parish, exchanging a quick joke with some parishioners and a few kind words with others, I truly do feel like a father who loves spending time with his children, and wants them to be happy and fulfilled, living out the joy of the Gospel in a world that can be awfully difficult at times.

My other challenge has been presiding at funerals. Funerals are one of the great services we offer families and they are also an excellent opportunity for catechesis, but I simply have a tough time not crying, not being overwhelmed by compassion for these people who are hurting at the sting of death.

While I know in the very depths of my being that Our Lord has overcome sin and death, I still cannot help imitating His reaction at the tomb of His friend Lazarus. On those weekdays when I have a funeral, my routine is to immediately follow the time mourning with those who mourn with a trip through the grade school to see the students. They never fail to cheer me up on those tough days.

Challenges to the honeymoon

A priest forever

While I love this life and what it entails, there are certain elements that can make it a little more challenging.

There are moments when people come to the parish office with serious needs. They may be just down on their luck. They may simply need to talk. They may ask for a bit of advice or some encouragement to get back on the right path. Some require a little financial support with a specific difficult issue. When those people leave the office, I appreciate the opportunity to have helped someone in need and to have served Christ in my unfortunate sisters and brothers. Then there are other times when certain people simply seem to be “working the system.” To discern which requests for help are legitimate and which are not is a difficult skill to learn. Needless to say, this is one of those areas we do not fully cover in the seminary, but is instead the kind of issue we gradually learn to address throughout our lives.

When I wrote a year ago about ‘Why I chose to be a priest,’ I concluded: “Why do I want to be a priest? Because I cannot imagine a better way to spend myself fully in the service of my brothers and sisters in Christ and for the greater glory of God. I am called to the priesthood, and I look forward to a life of emptying myself, decreasing, so that He, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, may increase.” Through the joys and the challenges, the desolations and the consolations, the developing relationships with new friends and our Savior, my conclusion from this past year proves ever truer, ever more real as I live out my vocation, the wonderful life of a priest.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Father John Eckert is parochial vicar at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro. He celebrates his first anniversary of ordination on June 4. This commentary first appeared in the June issue of Our Sunday Visitor’s “The Priest” magazine.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 3, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD