June 15, 2007
The Catholic News & Herald 3
FROM THE VATICAN
At Vatican, whirling dervishes mark anniversary of Muslim mystic VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a Vatican palace decorated with frescoes and directly under a ceiling medallion invoking “the peace of Christ,” a group of Muslim mystics — commonly known as whirling dervishes — danced in prayer. The June 5 event in the Renaissance Palazzo della Cancelleria, which houses several Vatican tribunals, was sponsored by the Turkish Embassy to the Holy See to mark the 800th anniversary of the birth of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, a 13th-century Muslim mystic, philosopher and poet. Rumi’s version of Sufism, Islamic mysticism, is known for its use of music and dance in prayer rituals aimed at helping the one praying experience unity with God. Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the pontifical councils for Culture and for Interreligious Dialogue, said the evening was an example of how “intercultural
dialogue often takes on the aspect of interreligious dialogue.” He said the performance by 20 musicians and eight dancers under the watchful eye of a spiritual master demonstrated how “music and dance are universal languages that nourish the spirit.” Muammer Dogan Akdur, Turkey’s ambassador to the Vatican, told the church officials, ambassadors, priests and other guests that “we all know that true dialogue cannot occur without understanding well and respecting other cultures and religions.” He said the Turkish embassy wanted to promote the process by sharing an exhibition “inspired by a mystic philosophy of Islam in a sumptuous room of a Vatican palace.” “I think that this context and this exceptional place form a very symbolic and meaningful image of dialogue between cultures,” he said.
in the Prayer Chain, call the church office at (336) 274-6520, ext. 10 and leave your name, address and phone number.
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.
HICKORY VICARIATE
MORGANTON — As Christians we struggle daily with negative emotions such as anger, anxiety and despair. “Spirituality of the Emotions” offers an opportunity to bring together insight, prayer and group support in this struggle. Dr. Ronda Chervin will present this program Wednesdays, 7:30-8:45 p.m., June 27–Aug. 8. These free classes will meet at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 728 West Union St. For more information, call Dr. Chervin at (828) 413-4624 or St. Charles Borromeo Church at (828) 437-3108.
SALISBURY VICARIATE
SALISBURY — Elizabeth Ministry is a peer ministry comprised of Sacred Heart Church parishioners who have lost babies before or shortly after birth. Confidential peer ministry, information and spiritual materials are offered at no cost or obligation to anyone who has experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a newborn. For details, call Renee Washington at (704) 6370472 or Sharon Burges at (704) 633-0591.
SMOKY MOUNTAIN VICARIATE
MURPHY — A Charismatic Prayer Group meets Fridays at 3:30 p.m. in the Glenmary House 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
CLEMMONS — Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd., has Eucharistic Adoration each Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. For more details, call Donna at (336) 940-2558 or Carole at (336) 766-4530.
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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.
German man sent for treatment after jumping toward papal jeep VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A 27year-old German man was forced to undergo immediate psychiatric treatment June 6 after he jumped over a barrier in St. Peter’s Square and reached the back of the open jeep in which Pope Benedict XVI was riding. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, refused to release the man’s name but said he was in a Rome psychiatric facility by 2:30 p.m., about four hours after being tackled to the ground by Vatican police. The man was first taken to the Vatican police station and questioned by Gianluigi Marrone, a Vatican judge, Father Lombardi said. “The young man’s intention was not to make an attempt on the life of the pope, but to carry out a demonstrative act to attract attention to himself,” Father Lombardi said. Because the young man was “showing clear signs of mental imbalance, psychiatric doctors from the Vatican health service were called, and they arranged hospitalization for obligatory treatment in a protected, specialized
health facility,” the spokesman said. “The case is, therefore, considered closed,” Father Lombardi said. Pope Benedict was in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly general audience. The pope did not appear to have noticed the young man or the activity of Vatican security agents and police forcing the man to let go of the jeep. Dressed in a red shirt, dark shorts and a baseball cap, the young man was in the third or fourth row of spectators behind a wooden barricade in the square. As the pope approached, a police officer moved directly in front of the young man’s section of the crowd, although it was not clear what had attracted the attention of the officer. The young man jumped over the people in front of him and used the barricade to push himself farther, knocking over the police officer. He managed to hold onto the back railing of the jeep for a just a few seconds before being forced to let go. Msgr. Georg Ganswein, the pope’s personal secretary, was in the jeep and also attempted to push the young man away.
Giving back to the earth
KERNERSVILLE — Holy Cross Church, 616 S. Cherry St., hosts a Senior Coffee House the first and third Mondays of each month, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., in Salesian Hall in the Child Development Building. Call the church office at (336) 996-5109 ext. 12 for directions or information. WINSTON-SALEM — The Compassionate Care-Givers meet the first, third and fifth Thursdays of each month at St. Benedict the Moor Church, 1625 East 12th St. This group provides affirmation, support and prayer for people who have cared for and are caring for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and any other chronic illnesses. For more information, call Sister Larretta Rivera-Williams at (336) 725-9200.
Is your parish sponsoring a free event open to the general public? Deadline for all submissions for the Diocesan Planner is 15 days prior to desired publication date. Submit in writing to kaevans@charlottediocese.org or fax to (704) 370-3382.
Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events:
June 16 — 10:30 a.m. Sacrament of Confirmation Our Lady of the Americas Church, Biscoe
June 25-27 Bishops’ provincial meeting Charleston, S.C.
June 16 — 5 p.m. Sacrament of Confirmation St. James the Greater Church, Hamlet
June 30 — 10:30 a.m. Mass for new tribunal advocates Pastoral Center, Charlotte
June 18-23 USCCB meeting Albuquerque, N.M.
July 1 — 11 a.m. Installation of new pastor St. John the Evangelist Church, Waynesville
CNS photo by Romeo Ranoco, Reuters
Catholic nuns plant trees in a field, symbolizing a deforested area, during a program marking World Environment Day in Manila, Philippines, June 5.