April 7, 2006

April 7, 2006

The Catholic News & Herald 1

www.charlottediocese.org

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Parish Profile:

Holy Trinity Church provides spiritual home in Taylorsville | Page 16

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI April 7, 2006

To welcome the

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

Impelled by Christ

Pilgrimage of life should lead to God, says bishop

by PATRICIA ZAPOR catholic news service

by

See BILL, page 13

Protecting God’s Children

by

KAREN A. EVANS

Photo by Kevin E. Murray

Bishop Peter J. Jugis carries a monstrance during a eucharistic procession as part of the diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Belmont Abbey April 2.

BELMONT — The gold of the monstrance glistened in the afternoon sun, and the reverent prayers of the rosary were heard as the pilgrims followed the Blessed Sacrament.

Amid the afternoon heat, youths from high schools and colleges across the diocese, as well as youth ministers, other adults, diocesan priests, monks from Belmont Abbey and women religious, followed Bishop Peter J. Jugis as he led the eucharistic procession around Belmont Abbey College.

It was part of the diocese’s second annual Lenten Youth Pilgrimage to Belmont Abbey April 2.

“As we were processing with the Blessed Sacrament through the college campus, See PILGRIMS, page 5

A ‘faith-filled

Mission trip to Bolivia builds hope, faith by

SUSAN deGUZMAN

staff writer

correspondent

CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte was found to be in compliance with all provisions of the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” during its third annual audit.

The diocese is among the 98 percent of the 195 U.S.

WINSTON-SALEM — Prayers abounded between Winston-Salem and Bolivia as St. Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem embarked on simultaneous missions.

A group of 22 people, led

by Father Thomas Kessler, pastor, traveled to this poorest country in South America on a one-week medical and spiritual

See CHARTER, page 8

KEVIN E. MURRAY editor

WASHINGTON — The immigration bill approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee March 27 addresses many of the Catholic Church’s concerns, although it also needs work, according to statements from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and other church representatives.

An April 3 letter to senators from Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of San Bernardino, Calif., chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Migration, detailed what legislative proposals for immigration the bishops support and which

New audit finds near-total compliance of dioceses with sex-abuse policies

no. 26

Youths gather for prayer, reflection at Abbey

Immigration bill provisions analyzed by bishops’ committee chairman

Charlotte Diocese in compliance with charter to protect children

vOLUME 15

mission. Their destination was El Torno, a small city 40 miles south of Santa Cruz and the location of St. James the Apostle Church, where Father Kessler was pastor in the early 1990s.

The mission trip March 5-11 was simultaneous with a Lenten mission at the parish, which involved anointing of the sick, adoration of See MISSION, page 7

Confession’s healing power Absolution, penance lead to joy | Page 9

Courtesy Photo by the Bolivian Mission Team

Dr. Mary Claire O’Brien, a parishioner of St. Leo the Great Church in WinstonSalem, examines a patient while on a mission trip to El Torno, Bolivia in March.

Culture Watch

Perspectives

Show chronicles seminarians; ‘Take the Lead’ review

Bishop’s letter on Holy Thursday rite; the names for God

| Pages 10-11

| Pages 14-15

2 The Catholic News & Herald

InBrief

April 7, 2006

Current and upcoming topics from around the world to your own backyard

Christian convert, in Italy, thanks pope for appealing on his behalf ROME (CNS) — After fleeing to Italy, an Afghan man who faced the death penalty for converting to Christianity thanked Pope Benedict XVI for appealing on his behalf.

“In Kabul they would have killed me, I’m sure of that,” Abdul Rahman said after he was granted refugee status in Italy on grounds of religious persecution.

Speaking to Italian reporters March 30, Rahman, 41, thanked a number of people who pressed for his release; the first person he mentioned was the pope.

Rahman, arrived in Italy from Afghanistan in secrecy. He said he intended to stay in the country and find work.

Pope Benedict and others had appealed for Rahman’s release, urging Afghan authorities to show respect for freedom of religion. The authorities complied, despite demands from Muslim leaders that Rahman be barred from leaving the country.

Rahman told reporters that he had

Sprinting with spirit

Diocesan planner BOONE VICARIATE

CNS photo by Chris Sheridan

Father Jorge Fernandez jogs outside Our Saviour Church March 8 in the Bronx section of New York.

Less than a year after he was beaten by teenagers while jogging, Father Fernandez was honored as the Runner of the Year by a New York runners club.

Priest running, winning again after recovery from severe NEW YORK (CNS) — Less than a year after he was attacked and beaten by a gang of teenagers while jogging in a Bronx park, a New York priest is not only up and running again, he’s racing, winning and recently collected a top award of the city’s premier running organization.

Father Jorge Fernandez, a member of the Yarumal Missionaries and a parochial vicar at Our Saviour Church, was honored in March by the New York Road Runners Club as the Runner of the Year in his age group.

“Thank God, I recovered very well,” said Father Fernandez.

“I got a lot of solidarity and prayers from the people, and I started to run with more optimism and motivation than before the attack,” he said. “I was running much better.”

Father Fernandez, 42, came out first among the seven runners in his group — men ages 40-44 — who were nominated for the annual Runner of the Year Award.

To qualify, a runner must be a member of the New York Road Runners Club and have completed at least six fully scored races across a range of distances.

The priest, who spent nine days in the hospital and two months recovering from the attack last May 2, began running again last July and by September was again competing in races.

“Sometimes there are a lot of parish activities and I can’t participate in

races,” he said. “But when I do get the chance, I perform very well.”

The priest, who has been running since high school, said that he runs every morning, beginning at 6 a.m. and covering anywhere from six to 15 miles in parks and on the streets of the Bronx.

It was on one of those morning jogs that he was attacked by a gang of about seven or eight youths who began kicking and punching him in what appeared to be a random act of violence.

“They didn’t try to rob me; I had no money,” Father Fernandez said. He underwent surgery to repair a broken jaw and was treated for pain, swelling and bruising.

Four teenagers were indicted on gang assault and other charges in the attack and face prison terms of up to 10 or 25 years, depending on their age, if convicted. Their cases are in pretrial proceedings in State Supreme Court in the Bronx.

Father Fernandez said that when he began running in earnest as a young man he received several offers from universities to run on their teams.

He decided to stay with his original goal of becoming a priest, however, entering a Colombian missionary order for his seminary training.

“Running is a way to get good health and be in good shape,” he said, “but the most important thing for me was my vocation. So I decided to run for Christ.”

NORTH WILKESBORO — A Catholic Scripture Study group meets at St. John Baptiste de La Salle Church, 275 CC Wright School Rd. For more information, go online at www.catholicscripturestudy.com. Classes meet Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. Please call Rob Hicks at (336) 957-7193 for more information or if you plan to attend.

SPRUCE PINE — A Rosary of Intercession for Priests is recited each Friday at St. Lucien Church, 695 Summit St., before the 9 a.m.

Mass. Prayers are offered for bishops, priests and deacons, and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood. For more information, call the church office at (828) 765-2224.

CHARLOTTE VICARIATE CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., will have a Polish-language Mass on Palm Sunday, April 9 at 3:30 p.m. in the Daily Mass Chapel. Confessions will be available in Polish beginning at 2 p.m. For more information, please call Elizabeth Spytkowski at (704) 948-1678.

CHARLOTTE — The Divine Mercy Novena will be recited at St. Gabriel Church’s Daily Chapel, 3016 Providence Rd., beginning on Good Friday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. and Holy Saturday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m. All following days the novena will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Our Lord said to St. Faustina, “By this novena, I will grant every possible grace to souls.” (Diary, 796) If you are not familiar with this devotion, please come and pray.

We will have brochures available with the intentions our Lord has asked us to bring to Him during this novena. For more informa-

been estranged from his family after his conversion. He left a wife and two children in Afghanistan.

“I am worried for them because they are my children and could have problems on my account,” he said.

On March 25, the Vatican said the pope had urged Afghan President Hamid Karzai to see that the case against the convert was dismissed.

“I am certain, Mr. President, that dropping the case against Mr. Rahman would bestow great honor upon the Afghan people and would raise a chorus of admiration in the international community,” said the pope.

Rahman was jailed after declaring his conversion to police officers, and the Afghan Supreme Court had said he could face the death penalty unless he reverted to Islam. He reportedly became a Christian several years ago, after working for a Christian aid agency in Pakistan.

Christians are a tiny minority in Afghanistan, numbering only a few tion, call Tina Witt (704) 846-7361.

CHARLOTTE — Dr. Warren Carroll will speak on “The Growing and Indestructible Church” at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Park Rd., April 18 at 7:30 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, call Estelle Wisneski at (704) 3649568 or e-mail jfwisneski@cs.com.

CHARLOTTE — Theology on Tap, a dynamic speaker series designed to provide young adults in their 20s and 30s with the opportunity to discover more about their faith in a relaxed open environment, will meet Tuesdays, April 18-May 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Pepperoni’s Pizza in Park Road Shopping Center. These interactive events will explore the issues and challenges that Catholic young adults face in the 21st century.

Contact Catrina at (704) 665-7374 or c_l_conway@hotmail.com for more information.

MINT HILL — G.E.M.S. Daily is a prayer/ support group for mothers of children with disabilities. The group meets the second Wednesday of each month, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., at St. Luke Church, 13700 Lawyers Rd., to share concerns, praise and prayers. For details, call Michelle Roth at (704) 321-1717.

CHARLOTTE —The Young Widowed Group meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the Fellowship Hall of St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. For more information, contact facilitator Sister Therese Galligan at (704) 362-5047, ext. 216.

CHARLOTTE — The 50+ Club of St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Rd., meets the second Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. with a program and lunch in the parish hall. For reservations and more information, call Elaine at (704) 847-2835.

GREENSBORO VICARIATE GREENSBORO — Theology on Tap, a speaker series for Catholics in their 20s, 30s and 40s, will meet at Coopers Ale House, 5340 West

APRIL 7, 2006 Volume 15 • Number 26

Publisher: Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Editor: Kevin E. Murray Staff Writer: Karen A. Evans Graphic DESIGNER: Tim Faragher Advertising MANAGER: Cindi Feerick Secretary: Deborah Hiles 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203 Mail: P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237 Phone: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382 E-MAIL: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

The Catholic News & Herald, USPC 007-393, is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, 44 times a year, weekly except for Christmas week and Easter week and every two weeks during June, July and August for $15 per year for enrollees in parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte and $23 per year for all other subscribers. The Catholic News & Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason deemed appropriate. We do not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

Second-class postage paid at Charlotte NC and other cities. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to The Catholic News & Herald, P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237.

The Catholic News & Herald 3

April 7, 2006

FROM THE VATICAN

Pope says people do not need to be perfect to be called to a

‘Human frailties’ are not obstacles, says pope VATICAN CITY (CNS) — One does not have to be perfect to be called to a vocation in the priesthood or religious life, but one must recognize that God calls each person to repentance and holiness, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“Human frailties and limits do not represent an obstacle” to having a vocation, “as long as they contribute to making us more aware of the fact that we need the redeeming grace of Christ,” the pope said in his message for the 2006 World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

The day dedicated to praying for vocations to the priesthood and religious life will be celebrated May 7 in most countries; the pope’s message for the day was released March 30 in Italian.

From Jesus’ time, Pope Benedict said, God has called individuals to

dedicate their lives totally to serving God and their brothers and sisters.

God’s call is not addressed to the perfect, but to those open to God’s love, which changes human hearts and makes them capable of communicating the love of God to others, the pope said.

“The church is holy even if its members need to be purified so that holiness, a gift of God, can shine through them in all its brightness,” he said.

Pope Benedict asked for special prayers for vocations to the priesthood, a ministry that is essential for the celebration of the sacraments and, therefore, for the ongoing life of the church.

“It is not surprising that where people pray with fervor, vocations flourish,” he said.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Obeying

Market St., April 19 and 26, May 3 and 10 at 7 p.m. Theology on Tap is a casual forum where people gather to learn and discuss the teachings of the Catholic Church. A service project will take place May 13 at Mary’s House in Greensboro. For more information, visit www. triadcatholics.org or call Deb at (336) 286-3687.

GREENSBORO — If you have a special need for prayers, or would like to offer your time in prayer for others’ needs, please call the Prayer Chain at Our Lady of Grace Church. The Prayer Chain is a sizable group committed to praying for your needs and the needs of your family and friends on a daily basis. To request a prayer or to participate in the Prayer Chain, call the church office at (336) 274-6520, ext. 10 and leave your name, address and phone number.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN VICARIATE

WINSTON-SALEM — Spirit of Assisi, a Franciscan Center, 221 W. Third St., will host read and reflect “brown-bag” gatherings April 26 and May 3, 10, 17, 12-12:45 p.m.

We will discuss “An Introduction: Thomas Merton” by William Shannon. Be inspired

by Merton’s deep spirit of prayer, passion for peace, openness to all whom he encounters, and keen wit. Bring your own lunch.

Coffee and tea will be provided. For more information, call (336) 624-1971 or e-mail portiuncula@bellsouth.net.

CLEMMONS — A Charismatic Prayer Group meets Mondays at 7:15 p.m. in the eucharistic chapel of Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd. Join us for praise music, witness, teaching, prayers and petition.

For more details, call Jim Passero at (336) 998-7503.

CLEMMONS — The Knitting Ministry of Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd., meets Monday evenings, 6:30-8 p.m., to pray, learn to knit, reflect on life’s lessons and reach out to others in our community. Opportunities exist for the beginner to the experienced as we knit and purl Prayer Shawls, Preemie Blankets or Squares for Survivors. Please contact Rosemary at (336) 766-2315 or Carmel (336) 766-0650 for more information.

MAGGIE VALLEY — A Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat for Post-Abortion Healing is a confidential opportunity for anyone struggling with the emotional or spiritual pain of abortion. The retreat is designed to help you experience the mercy and compassion of God. It is also an opportunity to surface and release repressed feelings of anger, shame, guilt and grief. This will help you to grieve the loss of your unborn child, to receive and accept God’s forgiveness, and to forgive yourself. The next retreat is April 21-23 at the Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center, 103 Living Waters Lane. For further information, call Shelley at (828) 670-8192 or (828) 230-4940, e-mail sglan1234@aol.com or visit the web site at www.rachelsvineyard.org.

MURPHY — A Charismatic Prayer Group meets Fridays at 3:45 p.m. in the Commons of St. William Church, 765 Andrews Rd. join us for praise music, witness, teaching, prayers and laying on of hands for those in need. For more details, call Gery Dashner at (828) 494-2683.

WinSTON-SALEM VICARIATE

Episcopal

calendar

April 17 — 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Holy Cross Church, Kernersville April 19 — 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. James the Greater Church, Hamlet

God means living out God’s plan, which then brings inner peace and serenity, said the preacher of the papal household.

God wants his flock to be obedient, not because he wants to rule his underlings, but because it means “we are carrying out God’s will” and aiming for the same things God wants, said Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa.

The more people conform their lives to what God has planned, the more they will be bathed in the light of truth and, as a result, in peace, the preacher said in a Lenten reflection offered March 31 to Pope Benedict XVI and senior Vatican officials.

The Capuchin said a reflection on the importance of obedience could help contribute to a “good spiritual climate in the church and the Curia” every time one is faced with the possibility of job or personnel changes.

Father Cantalamessa said retirement and bringing one’s career to an end was one example of the difficulty of obedience.

Someone once joked that serving in high office was its own cross, but sometimes the hardest thing is not to take up the cross, but to come down and be

removed from it, he said.

Obeying, however, and letting go most resembles the example of Christ in his passion, said Father Cantalamessa.

With his ultimate sacrifice, “Jesus cut off his teachings, broke off all activities,” without worrying what would happen to his apostles, his mother, his wisdom — “entrusted as it was to just the poor memory of a few fishermen,” the papal preacher said.

No concern or worry could keep him from his desire to fulfill God’s will, he said. The faithful are to run questions by him in prayer before making decisions.

It is not necessary to get an audible answer from God before one acts, Father Cantalamessa said; what is important is that “I have stripped myself of my will, I have renounced deciding on my own, and I have given to God the possibility to intervene, if he wants, in my life.”

People can also gain God’s spiritual guidance from reading the Bible or listening closely to scriptural readings at Mass. Often a page or verse will jump out and illuminate the situation, he said, and show the person what to do.

Remembering Pope John Paul II

Is your parish or school sponsoring a free event open to the general public? Please submit notices for the Diocesan Planner at least 7 days prior to desired publication date (Fridays) in writing to Karen A. Evans at kaevans@ charlottediocese.org or fax to (704) 370-3382.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events:

April 11 — 11 a.m.

Chrism Mass St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

Papal preacher says obeying God brings inner peace

CNS photo by Chris Helgren, Reuters

Members of Chicago’s Polish community attend the Sunday Angelus of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican April 2. Tens of thousands of people from around the world flocked to the Vatican to mark the first anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. For more on Pope John Paul II’s legacy, read Tony Magliano’s column on page 15.

April 22 — 10 a.m.

Ordination to the priesthood of Benedictine Father Agostino Fernandez Belmont Abbey, Belmont

Priest Assignments

April 24 — 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. John Neumann Church, Charlotte

EFFECTIVE MARCH 27, 2006 Augustinian Father Joseph O’Connor, as parochial vicar of St. John Neumann Church, Charlotte.

April 25 — 7 p.m.

Effective April 1, 2006 Father Luis S. Osorio, as parochial vicar of St. Michael Church, Gastonia.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis announces the following priest assignments:

4 The Catholic News & Herald

April 7, 2006

around the diocese

Soaring Comets

Courtesy Photo

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School’s girls’ basketball team is pictured on their way to the state championship game in Chapel Hill in March. The team won the game 54-31.

Courtesy Photo

The Comets, the boys’ varsity basketball team at St. Pius X School in Winston-Salem, took first place by defeating Our Lady of Lourdes School in Raleigh 46-23 in the Shamrock Basketball Tournament held in Charlotte in February. To win, the Comets, coached by Bob Edmonds, had to first defeat several teams from schools in North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia. The win was the team’s first Shamrock championship.

Tournament all-stars were Aaron Toomey and Matt Bednar. Jonathan Spain was awarded the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Enjoying a Lenten tradition

Courtesy Photo by Dorice Narins

Parishioners enjoy a soup and bread supper before participated in Stations of the Cross at Sacred Heart Church in Brevard in March. The Stations and suppers, organized by the parish’s community life commission, have been a Lenten tradition at the church since 1995.

Approximately 70 people attend the weekly gatherings, which feature a variety of soups and breads.

Participants may also donate to Catholic Relief Service’s Operation Rice Bowl Lenten offering program.

Villains crowned state KERNERSVILLE — The girls’ basketball team at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville recently took home the state championship.

The Lady Villains basketball team capped a perfect 31-0 record with an impressive 54-31 win against Southeast Halifax High School in the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 1-A division championship game held at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill March 11.

This is the first time Bishop McGuinness had competed in the public school league and emerged as champions.

On their way to the championship, the Lady Villains also beat four-time defending state champions Thomasville High School.

In USA Today’s “Super 25 girls’ basketball rankings,” the Lady Villains

were ranked No. 24 in the nation and No. 4 in the South.

Coach Brian Robinson said he was “very proud” of the team.

“We are very excited for what we’ve just accomplished. We realize how hard it is to be a state champion, much less an undefeated state champion,” he said.

The team is composed of juniors Katheryn Lyons, Sarah Fouroudi and Margaret Minton; sophomores Maggie Ronan, Megan Rembielak and Mackenzie Wheaton; and freshmen Erinn Thompson, Gina Simmons, Anna DeFrancesco and Brittany Cox. Several teammates previously had played together at Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem.

“When they come to Bishop McGuinness, they have an idea of how to play basketball at a very competitive

April 7, 2006

from the cover

The Catholic News & Herald 5

Youths gather for prayer, reflection on Eucharist PILGRIMS, from page 1

The pilgrimage included exposition of the Eucharist, evening prayer and Benediction.

“The time spent in eucharistic adoration today should help us grow in our spiritual union with the Lord, and should lead ultimately to our sacramental union with him in holy Communion at Mass,” the bishop told the youths.

“We have come to honor our Lord, and to worship him really present in the Blessed Sacrament,” he said.

Adam Trufant, 18, a parishioner

“The holy Eucharist accompanies us along the way of our pilgrimage as nourishment for our journey.”

— Bishop Peter J. Jugis

I was thinking how much our daily lives in the world are like that procession,” said Bishop Jugis.

“In our eucharistic procession we were contemplatives in action, keeping our attention fixed on God as we moved along through the campus toward our eventual destination of celebrating the vespers liturgy in the Abbey Basilica,” said Bishop Jugis.

“So also, as we go about our lives in the world, we keep our attention fixed on God, always trying to do his work, remembering that we are on pilgrimage to our eventual destination of the liturgy of praise and worship of God in heaven,” said the bishop.

“The holy Eucharist accompanies us along the way of our pilgrimage as nourishment for our journey,” he said.

That pilgrimage, a day of prayer and reflection, was part of the diocese’s preparation for the second diocesan Eucharistic Congress, themed “The Love of Christ Impels Us,” to be held in Charlotte Oct. 6-7.

The theme is also Bishop Jugis’ motto, taken from St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian Church.

“The love of Christ, which is really present in the Mass, transforms us and becomes an interior force impelling us to live for Christ,” said the bishop. “The eucharistic love of Christ informs our lives and makes us become more like

Photo by Kevin E. Murray

Bishop Peter J. Jugis carries a monstrance during a eucharistic procession as part of the diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Belmont Abbey April 2. of St. Barnabas Church in Arden, who helped carry the canopy over the monstrance during the procession.

“I was honored to walk with Jesus,” he said. “Walking step by step with Jesus is a beautiful gift.”

“Christ established the Eucharist as a means to remain with us, to live in us and for us to live in him,” said Kotlowski.

“In the Eucharist — under the sacramental signs of bread and wine — Christ, the mystery of God, is revealed,” he said. “He is our nourishment, our medicine and our comfort.”

Contact Editor Kevin E. Murray by calling (704) 370-3334 or e-mail kemurray@charlottediocese.org.

WANT MORE INFO?

More information about the diocesan Eucharistic Congress is available online at www.goeucharist.com.

him.”

Many found the pilgrimage to be spiritually enriching.

“So many of our students didn’t have experiences like this growing up,” said Gloria Schweizer, Catholic campus minister at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

“It increases their awareness and appreciation for the Eucharist,” she said.

“A living faith is a deeply rooted faith. Exposure to and active, personal involvement in the various traditions are vital dynamics in the development of committed, devout, faithful Catholics,” said Paul Kotlowski, director of diocesan youth ministry.

“We’re not dealing with something like a spectator sports event when it comes to our life in Christ. He calls us each by name into an intimate encounter,” said Kotlowski. “Personally, I can’t think of a better way to facilitate this encounter than time with the Real Presence (of Jesus), with the one exception being the Mass itself.”

6 The Catholic News & Herald

April 7, 2006

around the diocese

Paving the way

ADVERTISEMENT

Regional Stewardship Conference has something for

Courtesy Photo

Father Michael Buttner, pastor of Holy Family Church in Clemmons, stands with members of the Knights of Columbus and spouses beside a new street sign indicating “Father McGivney Way” March 25.

The Knights of Columbus Bishop Charles P. Greco Council 9499 was asked to help pave the road — named after Father Michael McGivney, the 19th century priest who founded the Knights of Columbus — that leads to the church’s picnic and play area. The sign was built by knight Bob Smith (left of Father Buttner).

Whether your parish is just starting to promote stewardship as a way of life or has been actively involved for years, the fifth Regional Stewardship Day Conference will feature something for you. The conference, sponsored by the dioceses of Charlotte, Charleston, Raleigh, Savannah and the Archdiocese of Atlanta, will be held on April 29th at the Embassy Suites in Cary, N.C. The U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter, “Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response,” is the document that defines stewardship, inspires us and challenges us to embrace a way of life that includes the giving of our time, talent, and treasure out of gratitude for God’s gifts to us.

Our keynote speaker, Dan Conway, will use the pastoral letter as well as the apostolic letter of Pope John Paul II, “The Church in America,” as he highlights ways that a commitment to stewardship can be countercultural in U.S. society today.

Dan comes from a rich background in the stewardship arena.

He has served on the faculty of the International Catholic Stewardship Council’s Winter and Summer Institutes in addition to directing stewardship and development efforts in the archdioceses of Chicago, Louisville and Indianapolis.

Dan is president of RSI, Catholic Service Group. His talk, “Stewardship in America: A Countercultural Way of Life,” will be both challenging and inspiring. Dan’s breakout session on the spirituality of stewardship will include practical suggestions on living stewardship as a way of life for individuals, families and parish communities.

The six breakout sessions will cover a wide array of topics and provide some concrete ideas for promoting stewardship in your parish. Each session will be offered twice during the three breakout time slots. Just in case your parish

cannot send participants to all six of the breakouts, a notebook of materials from all sessions will be provided for each registrant.

The South is truly a melting pot of cultures which carries its own challenges to promoting stewardship in our parishes. Enrique Gomez-Palacio of St. Thomas More Church in Chapel Hill, N.C. will address “Stewardship in a Multicultural Parish.”

If you are looking for some new ideas to promote stewardship of time and talent through ministry fairs, then Joel Gray of St. Brigid Church in Alpharetta, Ga. will share his experiences during his session.

Stewardship efforts at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro have touched the lives of everyone in the parish, from children to the elderly. Pastoral associates Pat Spivey and Tracy Welliver will team with stewardship committee chairperson Patti Dunning to present a profile of stewardship in their parish.

Margo Truett of St. Anne Church in Columbus, Ga. has developed a dynamic stewardship leadership retreat. She will present her ideas in a practical and inspirational breakout on “Developing Leaders of Stewardship.”

Pastors will be delighted to hear Very Reverend John McGee, OSFS, VF, pastor of Holy Infant Church in Durham speak about his role in promoting stewardship in the parish.

This year a closing panel discussion will bring all of the presenters together for one final opportunity to answer questions, clarify ideas and send us forth with an enthusiasm for promoting stewardship in our parishes. It is the hope of conference planners that participants will return to their own parishes with a renewed emphasis on living and promoting stewardship as a way of life – a life of real Christian discipleship.

For additional information on the Regional Stewardship Day or to receive a registration brochure, contact Jim Kelley at (704) 370-3301 or jkkelley@charlottediocese.org or Barbara Gaddy at (704) 370-3302, bagaddy@charlottediocese.org.

April 7, 2006

Mission work

The Catholic News & Herald 7

Mission trip to Bolivia builds hope, faith MISSION, from page 1

the Blessed Sacrament, a Habitat for Humanity project and prayers for the success and safety of all those involved in the mission work.

“A great deal of advance planning went into the trip,” said Dr. Hernan Fabio, a parishioner of St. Leo the Great Church.

Fabio traveled to Bolivia on a scouting mission last October with Father Kessler and fellow parishioners Roy Benson and Graziano Camastra. Fabio, a native of Puerto Rico, coordinated the medical preplanning with Dr. David Paz, a key leader in the El Torno community.

The four also worked closely with other Bolivian leaders to arrange for housing, technology and other anticipated needs of the missionaries.

The missionaries to Bolivia were comprised of seven facilitators, four translators, three nurses/medical support staff, seven physicians and Father Kessler. Many were parishioners of St. Leo the Great Church.

The medical team set up practice for five days in the clinic run by Paz, who in the weeks prior to their arrival, encouraged the locals to make appointments for free medical attention.

During the week, the team doctors saw 446 patients, performed 14 surgeries and 16 infiltrations to reduce joint pain.

Two members of the medical team were Dave O’Brien and Mary Claire O’Brien, both physicians and parishioners of St. Leo the Great Church.

Dave O’Brien trained one of the Bolivian doctors at the clinic to perform the infiltrations himself.

“It was much more difficult than I ever thought it would be. I didn’t anticipate the great emotional toll it would take on me,” admitted Mary Claire O’Brien.

“You feel like you’re trying to empty an ocean with an eyedropper. But it’s the idea that the parish cared enough to be physically present that meant so much to

“Our trip to Bolivia was just short of miraculous.”

— Father Tom Kessler the Bolivian people,” she said.

She described the people of El Torno as open and generous.

“As important as it is for us to give to them, they are giving to us in the same measure,” she said. “I hope we are able to sustain a liaison with them.”

Free medications were also made available to the patients. Mary Beth Phillips, a nurse and parishioner of St. Leo the Great Church, worked in the clinic’s pharmacy, filling 420 prescriptions. Fellow parishioner Sandra Clapp and two translators from Bolivia, one a college student from Santa Cruz who heard about the mission and took a week off from school to help, assisted.

Translations were provided by team photographer and journalist Luis Paez, a native of Colombia; Deacon Carlos Medina, permanent deacon at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte and a native of Nicaragua; Sister of St. Joseph Joan Pearson, Hispanic ministry coordinator for the Salisbury Vicariate; and Benson, who served as a U.S. Army Green Beret in Central America for six years.

Donations from parishioners of St. Leo the Great Church helped provide medications and medical equipment — 32 suitcases’ worth — as well as improvements to St. James the Apostle Church’s property and library, which Father Kessler helped build more than a decade ago.

After the missionaries repainted the library’s interior, Benson installed two computers with Internet access, a printer, a scanner and a telephone line.

New educational materials and schoolbooks, selected with the help of several educators in El Torno, were purchased for a local school. Guitars were also

Courtesy Photo by the Bolivian Mission Team

Father Thomas Kessler, pastor of St. Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem, greets residents of El Torno, Bolivia after Mass at St. John the Apostle Church in Bolivia in March. purchased, one for the church’s choir and eight for the school in conjunction with a promise from El Torno’s mayor to provide a music teacher.

Donations also funded the construction of a 7-foot-high brick security wall around the church’s library and cultural center during that week.

The missionaries also visited several locations around El Torno, including a center for the elderly, where a donation was made to help grow produce for the residents; a school and clinic staffed by Dominican Sisters, where a computer and related equipment were donated; and a dermatology hospital run by the Daughters of Charity.

During the trip, Father Kessler concelebrated Mass with Father Erwin Graus, pastor of St. James the Apostle Church. The Mass, attended by the missionaries and El Torno residents, was followed by a fiesta at which awards

were presented to various team members.

Benson said the missionaries were part of a larger team.

“None of this could have happened without the generous support of the entire community of faith that we know as the parish of St. Leo the Great,” he said.

“We had money to get the job done, but we also felt the prayers and concerns of each and every member of the community,” said Benson.

“Our trip to Bolivia was just short of miraculous,” said Father Kessler.

“Everything went incredibly well in that the missionaries, as well as the Bolivians, were all very much touched by God. “I’m very grateful to almighty God for his many blessings in this faith-filled endeavor,” he said.

WANT TO READ MORE? Roy Benson chronicles the mission to Bolivia at http://eltorno.homestead.

8 The Catholic News & Herald

Diocese in compliance with charter CHARTER, from page 1

bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection prepared the report for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Review Board, appointed by the bishops to monitor compliance with the charter.

The all-lay review board approved the report before it was sent to the USCCB. The charter was approved by the bishops in 2002 and calls for an annual compliance report.

This was the third consecutive year that on-site audits were done in dioceses, with much of the data based on selfreporting by church officials. While the charter requires the child protection office to issue annual compliance reports, it does not stipulate how to gather the data for the report.

Because the Diocese of Charlotte was in compliance with the audit conducted in 2004, the audit for 2005 was selfreported. To complete the audit, the diocese responded to a questionnaire from the investigation and security firm The Gavin Group of Winthrop, Mass.

“It is gratifying that we continue to be found in compliance with the charter,” said Bishop Peter J. Jugis. “I will continue my daily prayers for all victims of abuse in our society.”

April 7, 2006

protecting god’s children

Local statistics During the reporting period for the 2005 audit, the Diocese of Charlotte received no new allegations of sexual misconduct with children. The diocese provided $14,215 in ongoing financial assistance to or on behalf of victims, all of which was for counseling services.

As in the past, none of the funds came from parish savings or the Diocesan Support Appeal.

In the nearly four years since the implementation of the charter, 36,017 members of the clergy, diocesan employees, volunteer religious education teachers, other parish volunteers and students have received safe environment training that describes inappropriate behavior and explains what steps to take when the behavior is witnessed.

During the 2005 audit period, the diocese conducted background checks on 7,684 members of the clergy, diocesan employees, volunteer religious education teachers and other parish volunteers.

The cost of the safe environment training programs, the background checks and other measures associated with compliance was $88,928 during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2005.

The diocese is committed to both the training and the background checks on an ongoing basis.

“Here in the Diocese of Charlotte, we have policies, programs, people and, most importantly, prayer to address this problem,” said Bishop Jugis. “Prayer is

dioceses and Eastern-rite eparchies in implementing every applicable article of the U.S. bishops’ policies to prevent clergy sex abuse of minors as of Dec. 31, 2005, according to an independent audit released March 30.

The statistics are contained in the 2005 annual report on the implementation of the charter. The U.S.

the primary response for the people of God when confronted with something as evil as sex abuse.”

Director of Communication David Hains and Catholic News Service contributed to this story.

Contact Staff Writer Karen A. Evans by calling (704) 370-3354 or e-mail kaevans@charlottediocese.org.

Highlights of the 2005 report on compliance with sex abuse norms by

AGOSTINO BONO catholic news service

WASHINGTON — Following are the major findings of the 2005 report on the implementation of the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” adopted by the U.S. bishops in 2002 and revised in 2005: — Almost nine in 10 of the participating dioceses and eparchies were in full compliance with the charter.

— Twenty-one dioceses and eparchies were noncompliant regarding the completion of child sexabuse prevention training for clergy, employees, volunteers and children.

— Five dioceses and eparchies were noncompliant regarding the background checks of clergy, employees and volunteers.

— Almost 95 percent of the 7.7 million people needing child sex-abuse prevention training, including 5.8 million children, received training.

— More than 98 percent of the 1.7

million people needing background checks were checked.

The report is based on independent audits of dioceses and Easternrite eparchies conducted by the Gavin Group, based in Boston. This information was supplemented by data collected by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, based at Georgetown University in Washington, on the number of new allegations against clergy and on the amount of money spent on sex abuserelated activities.

The Gavin Group audited 191 of the 195 U.S. dioceses and Eastern-rite eparchies. CARA received responses from 94 percent of the dioceses and eparchies and 67 percent of the 221 religious communities.

The report, released in Washington March 30, was prepared by the bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the all-lay National Review Board responsible for monitoring compliance with the char-

April 7, 2006

Confession’s healing

AROUND THE DIOCESE

The Catholic News & Herald 9

Absolution, penance lead to Christ, joy, says evangelist said. “We do preventive maintenance.

The same is true with confession.”

For the sacrament of reconciliation, what’s needed, he said, are contrition and penance.

Contrition is sincere sorrow for the sin, evidenced by a willingness to change and to avoid near occasions of sin — those tempting circumstances or situations.

D’Ambrosio suggested examining one’s conscience by reading Scripture, such as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12), and meditating on how one is living the Beatitudes.

Then there’s 1 Corinthians 13.

D’Ambrosio suggested substituting your own name for the word “love,” which appears frequently throughout the chapter, and reflecting on how patient, kind and so forth you have been.

“One of the values of reconciliation is hearing the words of absolution,” said D’Ambrosio.

Next comes penance.

“Penance is not to earn salvation; Jesus already redeemed the world,” D’Ambrosio said. “Penance is therapy to regain wholeness, just as physical therapy heals. Penance is to get rid of the poison in your life. It should be helpful, real therapy, not just rote prayers.”

He told how in reconciliation he confessed that he had made some nasty remarks about a man he didn’t like.

His penance: pray for the man for five minutes every day. After a couple of weeks of this, he began to see good qualities in the person and actually came to like him.

“Who needs confession?” asked D’Ambrosio. “Only people who want to

by

JOANITA M. NELLENBACH correspondent

HENDERSONVILLE — “Here’s the question that comes up whether you’re Catholic or not: Why do we have to go to confession?” Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio asked the audience. “Why can’t we just say to God that we’re sorry?”

D’Ambrosio, founder of The Crossroads Initiative, a Catholic renewal and evangelization group, spoke on the topics “Who Needs Confession” and “Making Lent Count” at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville March 25.

The Asheville Vicariate sponsored the program: “Awake, Heal, Reconcile.”

“I loved it,” said Kay Lantrip of Immaculate Conception Church.

“Having a speaker like this really helps to build our Catholic life.”

“Sin is not just a sin on the law books somewhere,” D’Ambrosio said.

“Sin doesn’t damage God; it damages us.

There is no private sin, even in private (such as viewing pornography alone).”

A gift from God D’Ambrosio spoke of the healing power of the sacrament of reconciliation.

“Confession is a gift from God to heal us,” he said. “Baptism is the original healing, but when we’re old enough to make choices we mess up.”

Confession is mandatory for anyone who believes he or she has committed a serious (mortal) sin. But venial (light) sins can pile up, weighing a person down.

Frequent reconciliation relieves the burden, said D’Ambrosio.

“You wouldn’t wait to go to the doctor until you’re on your deathbed,” he

Photo by Joanita M. Nellenbach

Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio speaks at “Awake, Heal, Reconcile” at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville March 25. be free, who want to change, to not just get by but have a real relationship with Christ, people who want joy.”

Seeking forgiveness But forgiveness isn’t limited to the reconciliation room or confessional.

“We need to develop a Catholic culture in our families that we need to ask forgiveness of anyone we’ve hurt and to give forgiveness,” he said.

And sometimes the hardest person to forgive is oneself.

“Forgiving ourselves — it’s not about feelings but is a decision: ‘Lord, I forgive myself and I thank you for forgiving me.’ Also, imagine Jesus looking at you lovingly,” D’Ambrosio said.

During the two-hour lunch break, at least six priests from the Asheville Vicariate were stationed around the church to hear confessions.

Radical ideas On “Making Lent Count,” D’Ambrosio said “Lent is a time for the church to grow — to fast and pray for others as well as ourselves.”

During the early Catholic Church, Lent’s 40 days were a time of intense preparation as candidates prepared for baptism. The whole church prepared with them, he said.

“We need to capture the original meaning of Lent: praying for those being baptized or received into the Church,” D’Ambrosio said.

“Also, we need to be thinking of ways not just to give up things but about renewal,” he said. “A lot of people have special disciplines for Lent but drop them as soon as Lent is over. Lent is a time to form new patterns that keep growing

after Lent.”

It can even mean giving up good things if they get in the way of one’s relationship with God. “Good things become a little bad when we become attached to them,” he said. “Satan can’t invent an ounce of pleasure, but he can invent ways that are out of context with God’s will. Fasting says, ‘God, you’re first with me.’”

Many things are not bad in themselves. For instance, television and gourmet coffee are OK — up to a point.

“Fasting also frees up time and money,” D’Ambrosio said. “A lot of Americans waste a lot of money on junk.

There are a lot of ministries out there that could flourish on the dollar a day we could give up.”

His suggestion?

“Get really radical. Try living without TV or radio for the next few weeks,” he said.

And while get getting ready for and driving to church, “don’t just fast from food before Mass, fast from the media,” he said. “We’ve got to empty ourselves out if we’re going to be filled with the feast of faith. Fasting prepares us for feasting.”

“There’s a lot to be said for that,” Immaculate Conception parishioner Mark Cordaro said. “It’s a responsibility that we have to accept. In today’s society there are so many distractions.”

Contact Correspondent Joanita M. Nellenbach by calling (828) 627-9209 or e-mail jnell@dnet.net.

1 0 The Catholic News & Herald

April 7, 2006

Culture Watch ‘God or the Girl’

A&E chronicles vocational call of four men

by HARRY FORBES catholic news service

NEW YORK — It’s finally happened: Reality TV has found religion.

In the A&E cable channel’s new five-part “God or the Girl,” four young men with a calling to the priesthood must decide whether to enter the seminary or serve God as laypeople.

The series will air, appropriately enough, during Easter week, with the first two episodes premiering on Easter, April 16. (The third and fourth hours debut April 17, with the finale April 23.)

Apart from the slightly sensational title — actually a misnomer as none of these devout men would ever consider abandoning God — the series offers a surprisingly reverential treatment of a profound life passage.

The series is as serious-minded as a public television documentary on the subject, albeit fitted out with all the trappings of “Survivor.”

The four are a varied bunch.

There’s Joe Adair, a 28-year-old procrastinator from Ohio who has already been in the seminary twice but can’t decide about a lifelong commitment, particularly when there’s a warm and attractive girl who could be waiting for him in Germany.

There’s Steve Horvath, a 25-yearold Virginian who chucked his lucrative consulting job and girlfriend to become a university campus missionary.

Horvath is the most emotional of the four, his quivering sensitivity coming to the fore when he reluctantly accepts the challenge to go solo to Guatemala.

The 24-year-old Mike Lechniak from Scranton, Pa., felt a calling at age 17, but has such a natural rapport with sympathetic girlfriend Aly that it’s clear why he’s highly conflicted.

And finally there’s Dan DeMatte, a 21-year-old Ohio Dominican University student with an obvious talent for youth ministry who lives with nine other celibate young men in a house they call “Fort Zion.”

His relationship with girlfriend Amber is as amiable as Mike’s is with Aly. The tug between collar and wedding ring promised by the title seems most vivid with Mike and Dan. At one point, we see Dan organize a demonstration at an abortion clinic during which he engages in a lively debate with a couple of young women who support legalized abortion.

The series careens among all four, as Joe sets out for World Youth Day in Germany, hoping to contact 24-year-old Anne — though once there, days go by before he calls her.

Later in the series, he’ll set off on a “pilgrimage” to Niagara Falls with not a dime in his pocket, and charm waitresses into feeding him, sometimes in return for doing odd jobs.

WORD TO LIFE

A roundup of Scripture, readings, films and more

Though his housemates are skeptical, Dan — on the advice of his mentor, a Dominican priest, to “seek the Lord in a radical way” — embarks on a project to build and then carry a wooden cross for 20 miles.

The sincerity of all four is never in doubt even if their respective worldviews sometimes border on the naive, as when Mike describes his occasional yearning to hug his girlfriend as “sick and disgusting.”

The program touches only lightly on the sex abuse shadow. “Everyone will think you’re a child molester,” remarks Steve at one point, anticipating outsiders’ reactions.

We won’t ruin the surprise of which of the four (if any) actually decides to enter the seminary, but the filmmakers have done all in their power to hook viewers, with standard pre-commercial teases and cliffhanger closes.

And if those methods build a large audience for such an atypically religiousbased series, then why not?

The filmmakers shot footage on a fifth subject who will appear on the forthcoming DVD version only.

An occasional crass expression and a few sexually related words and innuendo are the only flags among otherwise unobjectionable content.

Forbes is director of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

WANT TO WATCH? The first two episodes premiere on Easter, April 16, 9-11 p.m. EDT. The third and fourth hours debut Monday, April 17, 9-11 p.m. EDT. The finale

Sunday Scripture Readings: Apr. 16, 2006

Sunday Scripture Readings: April 16, 2006 Cycle B Readings: 1) Acts 10:34, 37-43 Psalms 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 2) Colossians 3:1-4, or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 3) Gospel: John 20:1-9

We must make Christ visible to others by

SHARON K. PERKINS catholic news service

As a child I had one of those little instruction books on how to be a secret agent. This was the heyday of “007” and the “Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” before modern wireless electronic devices.

One of my favorite and most ingenious spy skills was writing with “invisible ink” made from ordinary household substances such as onion juice. (For the faint of nose and eyes, milk worked just fine.)

Using a small watercolor brush, I’d paint my message on a white sheet of paper, let it dry and leave it for an “accomplice spy” to find, whereupon that person would hold it over a flame until the message magically appeared.

The beauty of this technique was that the communique on that nondescript piece of paper — highly significant for global security, of course — was hidden even while in plain sight. Of course, the

message was of no use unless another person made it visible to the eye.

Practically the entire world knows the story of Easter — of Jesus, once crucified and buried, now raised to new life. For Christians especially, it is the event that changes our human situation forever.

But all too often the danger of familiarity is invisibility. It’s like the secret message, there in plain sight, ineffective unless decoded or made visible.

In the New Testament, the word “witness” is translated from the Greek “martyros” — the root of our word “martyr.” Witnesses were not only those who saw the resurrected Christ with their own eyes, but, more important, they were the ones who made this same Christ visible to others in their speech and actions, sometimes at risk of death.

We, too, are witnesses to the risen Lord, often in cultures that are indifferent or hostile to his message.

The miracle of Easter is that his deathconquering love, bursting anew from an empty tomb, invites and enables our hearts to burst into the flame that makes him clearly evident in our own lives.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he writes: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.”

The great paradox is that Christ’s appearance depends upon us, his witnesses, making him visible to others.

Then will his glory be manifested to all the world.

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE Scripture for the week of April 9-15 Sunday (Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion), Mark 11:1-10, Isaiah 50:4-7, Philippians 2:611, Mark 14:1-15:47; Monday (Monday of Holy Week), Isaiah 42:1-7, John 12:1-11; Tuesday (Tuesday of Holy Week), Isaiah 49:1-6, John 13:21-33, 36-38; Wednesday (Wednesday of Holy Week), Isaiah 50:5-9, Matthew 26:14-25; Thursday (Holy Thursday), Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11;23-26, John 13:1-15; Friday (Good Friday), Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:1416; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42; Saturday (Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil), Exodus 14:15-15:1, Romans 6:3-11, Mark 16:1-7.

Scripture for the week of April 16-22 Sunday (Easter Sunday), Acts 10:34, 37-43, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, John 20:1-9; Monday (Easter Monday), Acts 2:14, 22-33, Matthew 28:8-15; Tuesday (Easter Tuesday), Acts 2:36-41, John 20:11-18; Wednesday (Easter Wednesday), Acts 3:1-10, Luke 24:13-35; Thursday (Easter

Thursday), Acts 3:11-26, Luke 24:35-48; Friday (Easter Friday), Acts 4:1-12, John 21:114; Saturday (Easter Saturday), Acts 4:13-21, Mark 16:9-15.

The Catholic News & Herald 11

April 7, 2006

Positive themes, great acting ‘Take the Lead’ in dance flick by

KEVIN E. MURRAY editor

CHARLOTTE — Making positive choices and believing in oneself are among the themes that dance off the screen in “Take the Lead.”

The film, debuting today, April 7, was inspired by events in the life of instructor Pierre Dulaine, who brought the positive effects of ballroom dance to urban high school students in New York.

In addition to committed performances from Antonio Banderas (as Dulaine) and a young cast of unknown actors, the film carries a strong message about how dance can impart trust, dignity and respect. There is also the appeal of kids succeeding after being consigned to failure.

The story follows Dulaine as he gets permission from Augustine James (Alfre Woodard), the principal of a New York inner-city high school, to teach ballroom dancing to the troubled students.

The kids are much more interested in rap and hip-hop than Gershwin or Porter. But the film cleverly keeps an even balance between the two disparate sounds, starting with the opening credits that meld a Lena Horne standard with rap.

You just know the narrative will lead to a fusion of musical — and dancing — styles.

Slowly but surely, the students fall in step (literally), with some amusingly mismatched pairs working together in reasonable harmony. Some of the teachers object to Dulaine’s methods, but his strong convictions prevail.

The film’s climax is the citywide ballroom competition where the students compete against the dance studio snobs.

Their lively steps — traditional ballroom dancing at times combined with improvised hip-hop moves — inspired authentic cheers and applause from viewers at the advance screening in Charlotte, as if

CNS photo by New Line

Antonio Banderas and Anna Dimitrie Melamed dance in “Take the Lead.” they were attending the actual competition.

The language is sometimes salty as befits the tough inner-city milieu, and there’s a smattering of violence, as one student struggles to overcome his environment. But, apart from this cautionary note, this is a feel-good film with genuine laughs, tears and a great message that young people should see.

The film contains some crude language and expressions, implied prostitution, an amorous advance to a minor, a vulgar gesture, violent car vandalism and gunplay, which preclude viewing by younger adolescents.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Contributing to this story was Harry Forbes, director of the Office for Film &

1 2 The Catholic News & Herald

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April 7, 2006

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April 7, 2006

from the cover

Bill analyzed by U.S. BILL, from page 1

ones they oppose.

The letter lauded provisions of the

bill approved by the Judiciary Committee that would allow the 12 million undocumented immigrants the chance to legalize their status, establish a temporary worker program and reorganize legal immigration procedures

to reduce the backlog of applications for family reunification visas.

Bishop Barnes praised the committee bill for including legislation known as the Agricultural Jobs, Opportunity, Benefits and Security Act, or AgJOBS, and the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act, known as the DREAM Act. AgJOBS would allow several hundred thousand agricultural workers already in the United States to legalize their status and seek permanent residency visas.

The DREAM Act would create a way for students who were brought illegally to the United States by their parents to legalize their own status while getting a college education at in-state resident rates.

The letter also expressed appreciation for amendments to the committee bill that would exempt from criminal prosecution church and other humanitarian workers who provide

The Catholic News & Herald 13

social, medical and other types of service to undocumented immigrants.

It currently is a violation of civil law to be in the country without permission.

Among provisions that concern the bishops are those that would expand the definition of an aggravated felony, which would make “many deserving aliens ineligible for immigration relief.”

Also troubling are provisions that would increase the use of “indiscriminate, mandatory and indefinite detention” and expand the use of expedited removal, he said.

Those changes “might return refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, trafficking victims, battered spouses and other vulnerable populations to situations where they may face harm,” he said.

Bishop Barnes objected to provisions limiting judicial review “at a time when the judiciary has leveled unprecedented charges that the immigration court system is making unjust decisions,” and that would empower state and local law enforcement agencies to

1 4 The Catholic News & Herald

April 7, 2006

Perspectives

A collection of columns, editorials and viewpoints

Christian community needs commitment to truth, Gospel, says pope

by CINDY WOODEN catholic news service

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Each year at this time, we receive inquiries at the diocesan Pastoral Center regarding the Holy Thursday evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, specifically about whether or not the particular directive in the Sacramentary regarding the washing of men’s feet has changed.

There has not been any directive from Rome regarding a change for the Holy Thursday Mass in that regard.

A change in practice from that which is given in the Sacramentary for the Holy Thursday liturgy requires the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to request a “recognitio” from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments, as outlined in canon 838§3 and “Redemptionis Sacramentum” nn. 27, 28.

The washing of feet ceremony at the Holy Thursday Mass is an option that the celebrant is allowed to exercise if it is deemed advisable or recommended for pastoral reasons (“ubi ratio pastoralis id suadeat”).

I will remember all of you in my prayers as we approach the Easter Triduum.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Peter J. Jugis, J.C.D. Bishop of Charlotte

The names for God pronounced.

An author would write only the four consonants of the name, YHWH. When the name was spoken, the reader used instead the name “Adonai,” Lord.

In writing, the combination of YHWH and the vowels of Adonai (ao-a) resulted in the composite Jehovah, which appeared centuries later in English Bibles. In modern times, scholars have concluded that the most apt pronunciation of the name is Yahweh.

In addition to “Adonai,” the Scriptures give other names to God, like “El” and “Elohim.” The name YHWH, however, predominates over all others put together, appearing more than 6,700 times.

When Jewish scholars eventually translated their Bible into Greek, YHWH became “o theos,” the God, or “o kyrios,” the Lord; then later in English usually God or Lord.

The background of the word “Yahweh” is not clear. Scholars offer numerous interpretations, but one

now accepted as perhaps most likely was suggested first by the renowned Scripture scholar W.F. Albright.

“Yahweh,” he believed, was the first word of the full Hebrew title “yahweh aser yihweh” — “He brings into being all that comes into being.”

Whatever its original meaning, however, there is no doubt that this sacred name declared the unique relationship Israel had with its God, the God who was always with them.

While they never developed a complex theology about God’s name or his nature, he was the divine Being infinitely beyond all other gods who brought all things into existence, who revealed himself through an irrevocable covenant with them as a people, who brought them through the exodus, who is always their protector and savior.

For Christians, this is the God Jesus knew and proclaimed as his — and our — Father. He is the divine Son, the Christ, the anointed one who became human and, in his person and life, reveals totally the nature and life of his Father Yahweh.

As he tells the disciples at the Last Supper, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9).

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VATICAN CITY — The love and unity that are essential marks of a truly Christian community cannot endure without a strong commitment to truth and fidelity to the Gospel, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Those who believe in Christ and want to live in communion with his church have “a precise obligation” to “interrupt communion with those who have moved themselves away from the doctrine that saves,” the pope said April 5 at his weekly general audience.

Differences and divisions have marked the history of the church since its beginning, he said, “and we should not be surprised that it exists today as well.”

Preserving the unity of the church requires a firm commitment to loving others and to holding fast to the truth, the pope said during an audience talk marked by repeated departures from his prepared text.

“Truth and love are two sides of the same gift that comes from God and is preserved in the church thanks to the apostolic ministry,” he said.

With some 30,000 people gathered in a windblown St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict explained that, while the church was born of the Holy Spirit and lives by the Spirit’s grace, Jesus also gave the church a structure with the apostles and their successors, the bishops, to be

Q. When and why was the word “Yahweh,” the name for God, practically eliminated from the Bible?

What is the meaning of the terms “God” and “Lord” and “Jesus Christ,” which seem to substitute for it? Are they more ancient than “Yahweh”? (Indiana) A. First of all, the name of God expressed by our word “Yahweh” was never eliminated from the Bible. It is, in fact, the name by which God is called more than any other in the Hebrew Bible, our Old Testament.

The problem arises from the fact that this divine name was so reverenced by the Hebrew people that it was normally never pronounced or written, especially after the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in A.D. 70.

In fact, even to this day there is no certainty about how the name should be

Communion at two Masses daily Q. May a person who attends two Masses in a day receive Communion at both Masses? I thought we could, but one catechism I searched said we could

The Pope Speaks POPE BENEDICT XVI

“authentic custodians and witnesses of the deposit of truth.”

The First Letter of John, he said, contains the Bible’s strongest admonition about the obligation of believers to love one another, but it also “addresses with drastic severity those adversaries who were once members of the community, but are no longer.”

“The family of the children of God, in order to live in unity and peace, need someone who safeguards them in truth and guides them with wise and authoritative discernment,” the pope said.

The bishops are called to protect and promote the truth while also serving as “ministers of love — they always must be aware of the inseparability of this double service of truth and love,” he said.

Pope Benedict ended his main talk in Italian by asking his audience to pray for their bishops and for him, asking God to ensure that through their ministry “the light of truth and love will never be extinguished in the church and the world.”

Question Corner FATHER JOHN DIETZEN cns columnist

receive a second time only at baptisms, weddings, funerals, confirmations or similar occasions. What is right? (Iowa) A. Church law states that anyone who has received the Eucharist may receive it again on the same day, but only within a Mass in which the person participates (Canon 917).

Later, in 1984, the Vatican Commission for the Interpretation of Canon Law explained that, even at Mass, Communion should not be received more than twice a day. No special occasion is required for the second Communion, but it must be within a Mass.

The rule is meant to encourage reception of Communion whenever we attend Mass, but also to prevent abuses in receiving multiple Communions out of superstition or mistaken devotion.

The Catholic News & Herald 15

April 7, 2006

Learning from John Paul the Late pope marked papacy with courageous action He asked, “How can we fail to consider the violence against life done to millions of human beings, especially children, who are forced into poverty, malnutrition and hunger because of an unjust distribution of resources between peoples and between social classes?” (“The Gospel of Life,” 10).

Pope John Paul II was unconditionally pro-life!

For our own growth in holiness, as well as for the good of our church and world, we should commit ourselves to reading, reflecting, dialoguing and praying over the writings and example of John Paul the Great.

Like St. Thomas More, he was “a man for all seasons.” His life has much to teach us.

Bishops and priests can better learn from him to lead passionately and relentlessly in the defense of life and human dignity.

Educators can learn to be completely consistent in teaching respect for people in every stage of existence.

Legislators can learn to promote legislation courageously that protects all life and promotes the full development of the world’s peoples.

Each of us can learn to do more to build the kingdom of God — a kingdom of justice, peace and love.

It’s hard to believe that one year already has gone by since Pope John Paul II passed on. In many ways it’s as if he never left us.

How could we possibly forget this great soul? His multifaceted, farreaching papacy so deeply influenced both church and world. Generations yet to be born will benefit from the faith-filled life of Karol Wojtyla.

The church’s first Polish pope hit the ground running. Just months after his election he was standing in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol, proclaiming: “We will stand up every time that human life is threatened. When the sacredness of life before birth is attacked, we will stand up and proclaim that no one ever has the authority to destroy unborn life!”

After hearing those words, I knew that the man then standing in the shoes of the fisherman was a dynamic leader. A truly a prayerful man, John Paul marked his papacy with action — bold, challenging, courageous action!

Everywhere he went and in everything he did, he proclaimed the Gospel’s liberating power. John Paul proclaimed that Christ came to free us from sin and every form of oppression, and that it was the church’s task to continue his liberating work.

He was a powerful foe of abor-

Making a TONY MAGLIANO cns columnist

tion, infanticide, euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research and cloning. With equal zeal he denounced the inhumanity of war and military preparations.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said, “The pope’s basic position rests on this premise: War in the 21st century is not the way to resolve problems.”

The conditions justifying war are in the modern age “so rare that they are almost nonexistent!”

The late pope wrote in his Jan 1, 2000, World Day of Peace message that “war is a defeat for humanity. Only in peace and through peace can respect for human dignity and its inalienable rights be guaranteed.”

He called for an end to the death penalty. He urged us to be faithful stewards of the Earth.

And he condemned the greed of market-driven capitalism, which overwhelmingly favors the rich while often crushing the poor.

When romance fades, deeper intimacy needed neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine creates the intense feelings, the exhilaration, that have you wanting to spend every waking moment with your loved one.

But like a drug, the brain adapts to the neurotransmitter, and the neurons need more and more of it to produce the high.

In long-term relationships, successful couples have learned how to stimulate and sustain production of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of connection and bonding.

According to anthropologist Helen Fisher, married couples can do things to help production of oxytocin like massage and making love.

Knowing marriage has stages can be helpful to the young couple getting ready to say “I do.”

“Love changes,” says Les Parrott III, co-author of “Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts.”

“There is an ebb and flow to it. When romance is present, life is wonderful. But we cannot demand this of love or of our partner,” he said.

Parrott blames the tragedy of so many failed marriages on the “happy ever after” myth we are sold in childhood.

EUGENE HEMRICK cns columnist

Marriage after the first I’ve watched Cinderella 10 times this week.

My 2-year-old is obsessed with the fairy tale. It might be the fantastic dress or the glass slippers, but it’s probably prince charming and the idea of “happily ever after.”

At 2, she may not be ready for a frank talk about marriage (how commitment and devotion have more to do making love last than a magical spell), but I think it’s crucial for her to learn the truth at some point because too many young adults go into marriage believing in the “happily ever after” myth.

As I approach my 10-year wedding anniversary, I don’t mean to sound like the grim reaper, suggesting that marriage is all work and no fun.

But let’s face it: Sitting down at the breakfast table with my husband day after day for years on end loses a bit of its initial excitement; children and a combined “to-do” list hold hostage some of the spontaneity and romance of those first few years.

Most of us have to work at keeping the flame burning.

Biologically speaking, there is a reason for this. When the first sparks of romance fly, the brain is flooded with a

How those who are gone live on in The Human Side FATHER

Our Turn THERESE J. BORCHARD cns columnist

When the romance fades, it’s critical for couples to hang in there and to communicate as best they can until they find a new place of cooperation and comfort, and a real happiness that is different — and better — than what the myth promised.

If they can make it through the disillusionment period, they eventually will encounter a deeper intimacy with their partner in which they accept weaknesses and strengths together, and make good on their wedding vows.

Moreover, knowing that the good stuff comes with sticking it out can help when you wake up one morning and find your mate is no prince charming.

“The real question before our death, then, is not, ‘How much can I still accomplish?’ or ‘How much influence can I still exert?’ but, ‘How can I live so that I can continue to be fruitful when I am no longer here among my family and friends?’”

In this quote, the noted spiritual writer Father Henri Nouwen gave us much food for thought about the true meaning of our existence. How do we live on in others after we are gone?

No doubt books, movies and outside events have played a role in making our life fruitful. But when it comes to the most lasting influences, isn’t it true that there were particular persons who continue to touch us deeply even though they are dead?

In my case, my mom, dad and grandparents still live on in me. During World War II, all Americans were encouraged to conserve. I remember my parents and grandparents driving this home to me when I was a young child.

They taught me the value of a victory garden where we grew our own vegetables. We saved everything that could be saved, and we turned out the lights whenever they weren’t needed.

Every Sunday we walked to Mass, and when novenas were conducted at the basilica, we took the streetcar to attend them. During Holy Week we visited all the churches in the old Italian neighborhood.

Though my parents and grandparents are dead, they continue to enrich my life. I grow my own vegetables, save whatever can be saved and turn out the lights.

I love devotions, walking to church and taking public transportation.

Outside my family, others also continue to enrich my life, even though they are gone. Thanks to a history professor who visited Europe each summer and returned with spellbinding stories of his travels, I have traveled to Europe, often immersing myself in its history.

Thanks to a teacher who taught us the history of music, I have a collection of classical music I love.

During the early days of my priesthood, I lived with priests who taught me that we priests are human beings and not glorified idols on a pedestal. They were always on the same level with the parishioners, and they had a great sense of humor.

They are dead now, but their downto-earth spirit lives on in me.

And even though he is dead, Father Nouwen continues to enrich us by reminding us that those who added splendor to our lives while living continue to do so; they lived a fruitful life. He reminded us that as long as we breathe, the meaning of our life deepens when we

April 7, 2006

The Catholic News & Herald 16

PARISH PROFILE

Mountain mission provides spiritual home for Alexander County Catholics Active youth groups, outreach programs a part of holy trinity church TAYLORSVILLE — Holy Trinity Church lies nestled in the heart of the Brushy Mountains just southeast of Hickory. In 1984, the church was established as a mission of St. Aloysius Church in Hickory.

With the combined efforts of St. Aloysius Church pastor Msgr. Eugene Livelsberger and Catholic families in Taylorsville, a farmhouse on a 6.7-acre lot was purchased and two rooms were renovated to make a chapel for the growing community.

The first Mass in Taylorsville was celebrated Easter Sunday 1984. Msgr.

Livelsberger, who retired shortly after that first Mass, said he wanted the mission to be one of the crowning points of his final year in the priesthood.

The first few weeks, about 22 families attended Masses and four children were enrolled in Sunday school.

That fall, religious education classes were begun, consisting of two teachers and eight children together in one classroom.

The mission family was growing rapidly and a necessary expansion of the chapel area was completed in 1988.

Less than a year later, Father Joseph Waters, minister to migrants for western North Carolina, began using Holy Trinity Church as living quarters and became the mission’s administrator.

In 1990, the mission had outgrown the farmhouse chapel and a capital campaign was begun to provide funds for a new facility. Catholic families worked long hours on the proj-

Holy Trinity Church A mission of St. Philip theApostle Church, Statesville 1039 NC Highway 90 West Taylorsville, N.C. 28681 (828) 632-8009 Vicariate: Hickory Administrator: Father James Byer Number of Households: 62

Photo by George Cobb

Holy Trinity Church in Taylorsville serves about 500 Catholics living in the heart of the Brushy Mountains in Alexander County. ect, building everything from the framework to the stained glass window behind the altar.

The building, which seats 180 people and is located behind the original parish farmhouse, was dedicated March 22, 1992.

In 2000, Holy Trinity Church was reassigned as a mission of St. Francis of

ship of its clergy.

Contributing to this story was Staff Writer Karen A. Evans.

Assisi Church in Lenoir.

In 2003, administration of Holy Trinity Church was once again transferred, this time to St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville.

In recent years, Holy Trinity Church has continued to grow. While the first few months of Masses in 1984 had an average attendance of 35, today nearly 300 Catholics worship at two Masses each Sunday. Usually 80 to 100 people attend the English-language Mass, and more than 200 Hispanics fill the church to standing room only at the Spanishlanguage Mass.

The religious education program now has 60 students registered, most of whom are Hispanic.

The church currently has an active parish council, youth group, Hispanic ministry and youth group, food closet and soup kitchen, and an outreach ministry program.

Members of Holy Trinity Church also minister to the inmates at Alexander Correctional Institute in Taylorsville.

As one of the younger Catholic communities in the Diocese of Charlotte, Holy Trinity Church continues to succeed because of the pioneering spirit of its members and the insightful leader-