June 19, 2009

June 19, 2009

The Catholic News & Herald 1

www.charlottediocese.org

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Perspectives Reflecting on abortionist’s murder; life lessons; Year for Priests

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI June 19, 2009

Making space Bishop Jugis blesses new parish center

| PageS 14-15 Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

Father Benjamin Roberts ordained a priest for the diocese

JOANITA M. NELLENBACH correspondent

by

WAY N E S V I L L E — When the new St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church was consecrated Sept. 30, 2007, parishioners gathered to celebrate in the unfinished parish center just below the church.

One day soon, they had hoped, the rudimentary room would be finished.

Those hopes, fleshed out by hard work, were realized June 12. Some 150 parishioners feasted on a barbecue dinner celebrating the dedication of their newly completed parish activity center.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis blessed the facility with holy

KATIE MOORE staff writer

Photo by Katie Moore

CHARLOTTE — A smile spread across the face of priesthood candidate Benjamin Roberts as he processed down the aisle at the start of his ordination Mass. That smile remained a permanent fixture throughout the ceremony.

“It was a glorious day,” said Father Roberts, who formally dedicated his life to serving the Lord, the church and the people of God as he was ordained to the priesthood

by Bishop Peter J. Jugis at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte June 6.

During his homily, Bishop Jugis reminded the candidate of the importance of “daily conversation with Jesus in prayer.”

“It is Christ’s love which

Priesthood candidate Benjamin Roberts places his hands between Bishop Peter J. Jugis’ hands in a promise of obedience to him and to his successors during his ordination to the priesthood at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte June 6.

See PRIEST, page 5

See CENTER, page 7

Celebrating the real presence of Jesus

Club helps children perform community service work by

no. 31

To serve Christ the shepherd

by

Doing small things with great love

vOLUME 18

KATHLEEN HEALY SCHMEIDER

15th anniversary of perpetual adoration commemorated in High Point

correspondent

ARDEN — Children at St. Barnabas Church in Arden are working together to make a difference in their community.

Mary Ann Poli, religious education director at St. Barnabas Church in Arden, created the Mother Teresa Club

Photo by Kevin E. Murray

See YOUTHS, page 4

Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin carries a monstrance during a eucharistic procession at Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point June 14.

by

KEVIN E. MURRAY editor

HIGH POINT — In 1994, the bishop of Charlotte inaugurated perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at a chapel in High Point.

To commemorate the 15th anniversary, Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin returned

to celebrate Mass and lead an outdoor eucharistic procession at Pennybyrn at Maryfield on the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ June 14.

Pennybyrn at Maryfield is a retirement living community founded by the Sisters of the See EUCHARIST, page 13

Pastoral Assignments

In Our Schools

Culture Watch

A list of priest assignments in the Diocese of Charlotte

Graduations, end-of-year activities for students

Book on women religious; Bible in new format

| Page 6

| Pages 8-9

| Pages 10-11

June 19, 2009

2 The Catholic News & Herald

InBrief

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

‘If not us, who?’

CNS photo courtesy of Autism Speaks

Bob and Suzanne Wright of Fairfield, Conn., founded Autism Speaks in 2005. The Catholic couple was honored June 9 with the Servitor Pacis Award from the Path to Peace Foundation, which supports the work of the Holy See Mission to the United Nations.

Catholic couple recognized for autism advocacy WASHINGTON (CNS) — When Nicholas Giangregorio, 8, was first diagnosed with autism before his second birthday, his family found it difficult to convince society to accept them.

The town pool wouldn’t let the family in because they didn’t want the child’s stroller — his safety net — near the water.

An usher at their Long Island church shut the back doors on the family because of the noise he made in the vestibule.

But since Bob and Suzanne Wright founded Autism Speaks in 2005, the Giangregorios have noticed a collective increase in awareness and understanding about the disease, a complex brain disorder affecting abilities to communicate and develop social relationships.

They learned how to approach the town and are now allowed to bring Nicholas to the pool, stroller and all.

And Michael Giangregorio, the boy’s father, used the organization’s resources to help organize an autism awareness Mass at St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Franklin Square, N.Y., this spring.

Michael Giangregorio said he owes a debt of gratitude to the Wrights, who were honored June 9 with a Path to Peace Foundation Servitor Pacis Award.

The award is often given to “unsung heroes” who serve “where the need is greater, where the wounds are festering and the pain unending,” according to the foundation’s Web site. The foundation was established to support the work of the Holy See Mission to the United Nations.

“They’re my heroes,” Giangregorio said of the Wrights, whose grandson Christian was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2.

Angela DiStefano, another parent who helped organize the Long Island Mass, said it was difficult to find autism resources in 1997, when her son John,

now 14, was first diagnosed with the disease, which affects 1 in 150 children.

DiStefano made connections at the special education preschool he attended, but she still felt alone. Through Autism Speaks, she met parents going through the same struggles. “It has really opened up a different world for me,” she said.

Opening up worlds of communication was the Wrights’ intention.

Almost five years after its founding, Autism Speaks funds more than $30 million each year in new research. It has worked to see insurance legislation passed in five states. About 1 million people frequent the Internet’s social networks.

About 400,000 people participated in 80 nationwide walks this year.

The Wrights, who live in Fairfield, Conn., said their Catholic faith has always driven their desire to help others.

“God gave it to us knowing that we were going to do something about this,” Suzanne Wright said.

“It seemed like, if not us, who?” Bob Wright added.

Likewise, faith helps keep the Giangregorios and DiStefanos strong.

“I don’t know how I would have ever been able to go through anything without my faith,” Angela DiStefano said. “I rely on God every day to get me through.”

And John, her 14-year-old, picks up on this. He prays for people with problems and assures them they will be OK, and he sings in the youth choir at his church.

Giangregorio said his faith is important because it reminds him that his son is a blessing who taught him patience and because he needs miracles to believe in. But it always helps to have people like the Wrights on his side. “If that isn’t something that should be recognized as a mission of peace, then I don’t know what is,” he said.

Mexican bishops condemn murders of priest, two seminarians MEXICO CITY (CNS) — The Mexican bishops’ conference has condemned the murders of a priest and two seminarians in the southern state of Guerrero as they were traveling to a religious retreat.

“We ... condemn the violence that is plaguing our country and demand that the authorities from all levels of government quickly carry out an investigation and find those responsible for this cowardly crime,” said a statement issued June 15, two days after the killings. “From our faith, we express the certainty that Father Habacuc Hernandez ... and the seminarians Eduardo Oregon Benitez and Silvestre Gonzalez now enjoy the presence of our heavenly Father.”

The three men were shot dead by gunmen while they traveled through a violence-plagued region known as Tierra Caliente, where drug-cartel activities have been on the increase. Media reports said the three men, who worked and studied in the Diocese of Ciudad Altamirano,

Diocesan planner For more events taking place in the Diocese of Charlotte, visit www.charlottediocese. org/calendarofevents-cn.

ASHEVILLE VICARIATE

HENDERSONVILLE — “The Catholic Understanding of Human Rights and the Common Good” will be presented by Jesuit Father Joseph Koterski of Fordham University on June 29 at 7 p.m. in St. Francis Hall at Immaculate Conception Church, 208 Seventh Ave. West. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. This event, sponsored by the Respect Life program and Office of Justice and Peace of Catholic Social Services, is free. Registration is required.

To register, call (704) 370-3228 or e-mail sabeason@charlottediocese.org. For more information, visit www.cssnc.org.

SWANNANOA —A Natural Family Planning Class will be lead by Batrice Adcock on Saturday, June 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Church, 102 Andrew Place, Swannanoa. Mass will begin at 8 a.m. with the class following. To sign up, call (828) 686-8833. For directions, visit www.stmargaretmarycatholic.org.

CHARLOTTE VICARIATE

CHARLOTTE — A summer study on Women in Church History will be held at St. Vincent

were shot in the back. No motive has been provided for the attacks.

“We don’t know exactly what happened, but everything points to organized crime,” said Father Juan Carlos Flores, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Acapulco. “The deaths of these prelates is part of the violence that the entire state is living through.”

The murders also were part of an upswing of drug-related violence in Guerrero. The state is best known for the beaches and glitzy villas of Acapulco, but also has marginalized regions, with human development index scores on par with sub-Saharan Africa.

“The deaths are a message for telling us that things are getting very serious,” Father Pedro Pantoja, director of the migrant shelter for the Diocese of Saltillo, told reporters in Mexico City June 15.

Organized crime, he added, “could care less (who we are.) We’re no longer honorable to them.”

de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd., Wednesdays June 3-July 29 at 10 a.m. (no study July 15). The program will be led by Barbara Reagan, retired high school and college history professor with more than 36 years of experience. For more information, call Aida Tamayo at (704) 554-1622.

CHARLOTTE — The young adult ministry group at St. Peter Church will conclude it’s June Theology on Tap series with a celebratory Mass at St. Peter Church, 507 South Tryon St., June 22 at 7 p.m. This event is open to young adults between the ages of 18 and 40 who are interested in discovering more about their faith in an open and relaxed environment. A dessert social in Biss Hall will follow. To RSVP, e-mail rebhay@gmail.com.

CHARLOTTE — A monthly respect life Mass will be celebrated Saturday, June 27 at 9 a.m. at St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Rd. Immediately after Mass there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and an opportunity to pray the rosary with Father Timothy Reid, pastor, at a local abortion facility.

The morning will conclude with Benediction upon Father Reid’s return. For more information, contact Danielle Mathis at tmathis3@carolina.rr.com.

CHARLOTTE — Presentations on the church’s social and moral teachings will be held at the diocesan Pastoral Center, 1123 South Church St., June 29 and July 1. Jesuit Father Joseph Koterski of Fordham University will present “The Catholic Understanding of Human Rights and the Common Good” June 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and “St. Paul on Questions of Human Life, Marriage, and Society” July 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. These events, sponsored by the Respect Life program and Office of Justice and Peace of Catholic Social Services, are free. Registration is required.

To register, call (704) 370-3228 or e-mail sabeason@charlottediocese.org. Lunch will be

June 19, 2 009 Volume 18 • Number 31

Publisher: Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Editor: Kevin E. Murray STAFF WRITER: Katie Moore 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.

June 19, 2009

The Catholic News & Herald 3

FROM THE VATICAN

Pope urges world leaders to tackle hunger at UN summit VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI urged international leaders to turn their attention to the growing problem of world hunger as they deal with the global economic crisis.

Looking ahead to a U.N. financial summit in New York June 24-25, the pope said the meeting should be carried out “in a spirit of wisdom and solidarity, so that the current crisis can be transformed into an opportunity.”

The goal should be to “promote an equitable distribution of decisionmaking power and of resources, with particular attention to the number of poor, which unfortunately is increasing,” the pope said June 14 at the Vatican.

The pope, who is preparing to release an encyclical on social and economic justice, said he wanted to remember in a special way the hundreds of millions of people who suffer from hunger.

“This is an absolutely unacceptable reality, and has been difficult to control

despite the efforts of the past decades,” he said, and that he hoped the upcoming U.N. conference and other international agencies would “make strategic choices — sometimes not easy to accept — that are necessary to assure basic nourishment and a dignified life for everyone, now and in the future.”

The summit is aimed at identifying emergency and long-term responses to lessen the effects of the current economic crisis, especially on developing populations. It was expected to discuss transformation of international financial structures, a topic that has already prompted debate among nations.

Pope Benedict was preparing to publish his third encyclical, tentatively titled “Caritas in Veritate” (“Love in Truth”), in early July. It was expected to treat Catholic social teachings and apply them to a wide array of current problems, including poverty, war and environmental destruction.

provided to those who register in advance.

to attend. For more information, call Ben D’Apollo at (336) 812-3730 or Lorraine Brown (336) 292-5186.

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis will celebrate a Mass for U.S. military personnel July 5 at 3 p.m. at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Rd. East. The Mass and rosary, to be recited at 2:30 p.m., will be offered for all military personnel who have died and for those who are now serving. Military personnel are invited and encouraged to attend in uniform. Photos of those who have died or who are now serving will be displayed in the cathedral. To include your loved ones, mail a color or black-and-white photocopy of them with their name and military rank on the back of the photos to Mrs. Nancy Weber, Office of the Bishop, 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203 to be received no later than July 1.

Photocopies of pictures will not be returned.

GREENSBORO VICARIATE

GREENSBORO — A Mass in the extraordinary form to celebrate the feast of the Sacred Heart will be held at Our Lady of Grace Church, 2205 West Market St., June 21 at 4 p.m. A women’s and men’s schola will be formed for the chants of the Mass.

Interested singers should contact Robin Shea at RSHEA@triad.rr.com for the women’s schola and Brian Marble at musicdirector@olgchurch.org for the men’s schola to arrange rehearsals.

GREENSBORO — The Men’s Early Morning Bible Study Group meets Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 a.m., in the library at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Rd. The group will begin a six-week program on the Epistle to the Hebrews June 30. For more information, contact Gus Magrinat at gmagrinat@pol.net or John Malmfelt at jmalmsie@aol.com.

GREENSBORO — The Flames of Fire charismatic prayer group meets every Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. in St. Joseph’s House at Our Lady of Grace Church, 2201 West Market St. All those interested in the charismatic way of life are invited

Episcopal

calendar

SALISBURY VICARIATE

MOORESVILLE — Are you interested in learning about your Irish heritage? The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians welcome all women who are practicing Roman Catholics, and who are Irish by birth or descent, or who are the wife of a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, or the mother of a junior member. A new division is starting in the Huntersville, Denver and Mooresville areas.

To learn more, contact Janice Donahue at (704) 249-9161 after 7 p.m. weekdays or e-mail ladydonahue@gmail.com.

Jobs, small business credit key for recovery, says Vatican official VATICAN CITY (CNS) — More decent, productive employment and more credit for small- and medium-sized businesses are the best strategies for recovering from the global economic crisis, said the chief Vatican representative to U.N. agencies in Geneva.

There are real “fears that the coming years will be characterized by ‘labor intensive restructuring’ and a ‘jobless recovery’” in which large corporations and stock markets will bounce back, but from which the world’s workers will not benefit, said Archbishop Silvano Tomasi.

People need to turn the current crisis into an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of protecting people’s dignity in the work world, “to encourage a lifestyle of sobriety, solidarity and responsibility; and to direct all economic activities to the common good,” he said.

The archbishop made his comments June 10 during the International Labor Organization’s annual international labor conference June 3-19 in Geneva.

As the global economy experiences its deepest downturn in 50 years, labor analysts predict the number of jobless persons around the world will increase by 50 million people, he said.

The archbishop said it was “an ethical requirement” for the international labor group to promote a “Global Jobs

Pact” to stimulate job creation alongside other measures taken by world leaders to stimulate the economy and credit markets. The world has lost the sense that true value is derived from human labor, not just capital, he said.

“Productive work is at the base of the real economy rather than (financial) speculation that is prompted solely by greed for profit,” he said.

The two avenues toward economic recovery that would be most effective and offer greater respect for human dignity would be to protect and expand employment and sustain small and medium-sized businesses, he said.

Smaller businesses are “particularly penalized by the severe credit crunch” today, he said, but since they account for such a large share of employment, inappropriate credit restrictions against them should be lifted so as to better support these firms.

“Decent work, then, is the main road to overcome the current crisis, a strategy that as well can create the conditions for a stable and lasting economic development,” he said.

Local and national economies must look for ways to invest in people’s creativity and talents, he said, and look for new “forms of participation in the system of production.”

Mass before meeting

WINSTON-SALEM VICARIATE

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.

WINSTON-SALEM — “St. Paul on Questions of Human Life, Marriage, and Society” will be presented by Jesuit Father Joseph Koterski of Fordham University July 1 and 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 1730 Link Rd. This event, sponsored by the Respect Life program and Office of Justice and Peace of Catholic Social Services, is free. Registration is required. To register, call (704) 370-3228 or e-mail sabeason@charlottediocese.org to register. For more information, go online to www.cssnc.org.

Is your parish or school sponsoring a free event open to the general public? Deadline for all submissions for the Diocesan Planner is 10 days prior to desired publication date. Submit in writing to kmmoore@charlottediocese.org or fax to (704) 370-3382.

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

June 24 (7 p.m.)

Sacrament of confirmation St. Barnabas Church, Arden

June 26 (7 p.m.)

Sacrament of confirmation Sacred Heart Church, Brevard

June 25 (7 p.m.)

Sacrament of confirmation St. Margaret Mary Church, Swannanoa

June 28 (9 a.m.)

Sacrament of confirmation Our Lady of the Americas Church, Biscoe

CNS photo by Bahram Mark Sobhani

Bishops celebrate Mass at San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas, June 17. The Mass came before the start of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ spring meeting. Bishop Peter J. Jugis is attending the meeting.

Music minister arrested, pastor resigns ASHEVILLE — In recent weeks, St. Eugene Church in Asheville has been dealing with a resignation and a termination among its parish leaders.

Father John Schneider, pastor, resigned June 9 after being arrested and charged with obstruction of justice in a case involving a former parish employee.

The obstruction charge related to the deletion of files on the home computer of Paul Berrell, former parish music minister. In late May, Berrell was charged with taking indecent liberties with a minor. He was fired from his position shortly after his arrest, and is currently being held in the Buncombe County jail.

Bishop Jugis traveled to Asheville to meet with Father Schneider on the day of his resignation June 9, and with parish lay leaders and the Asheville Catholic School principal. The bishop said the sacramental life of the parish would not be interrupted by the events.

Jesuit Father Bill Ameche, in residence at the church until the end of July, will celebrate Masses. The parish pastoral council, in conjunction with Father Ameche and Deacon Michael Zboyovski, held a prayer and listening session at the parish June 17.

Bishop Jugis will celebrate a 7 p.m. healing Mass at the church June 23. A new pastor will be announced soon.

4 The Catholic News & Herald

June 19, 2009

around the diocese

Club helps children find, perform community service work YOUTHS, from page 1

for sixth- through eighth-grade students of the parish to perform service work.

“This began in response to a need of the kids. They are required to do service work for school,” said Poli. “It’s much easier for high school students to find projects, but both the (younger) students and their parents were at a loss for ways to fill these service hours.”

Poli’s solution was to join the needs of the students and the community. The club has fostered relationships with local agencies.

“What we do is live by Mother Teresa’s motto, ‘Do small things with great love,’” said Poli.

At Christmas, club members spend a day purchasing presents for ARC of Buncombe County, which assists developmentally and intellectually challenged persons. During the year, the students hold a fundraiser to help the Asheville Humane Society, wrap Thanksgiving food donation boxes for the St. Vincent de Paul Society and work with the homebound of the parish.

Poli, adult volunteer Sheryl Peyton and several club members met June 6

to work at the church repairing books, cleaning classrooms and taking inventory of the supplies.

Two members, Patsy Hogoboom and Sylvia Porach, repaired books in their first service project with the club.

As rising sixth-graders, they joined with Madeleine Hiriak, a veteran member, to scour the texts for damage.

“This is a good way to help the community and church,” said Hiriak, a member of the National Junior Honor Society, for which service hours are a requirement.

“This is a nice, fun way to do this,” she said.

“I’m a polio survivor and can’t do some of the physical activities. With these projects, I can be personally involved,” said Poli, while directing members Amy Rogers and Mary Elizabeth Williams, who gather supplies left in the classrooms throughout the year before beginning inventory.

As the members break for a snack, Poli acknowledged that the work they do provides joy — not only for the recipients, but also for the volunteers.

“They are learning how to be a community, and how a community can support a parish and a neighborhood,” she said.

Encountering marriage

Courtesy Photo

Father Kurt Fohn, pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville, and Father Paul Lehman, a retired priest from Newark, N.J., are pictured with attendees of BLD Charlotte’s third annual marriage encounter at the Blowing Rock Conference Center May 8-10. Father Lehman is district spiritual director for BLD, Filipino for “open to the spirit of God,” a charismatic group made up largely of Filipino-Americans.

Rev. Joseph koterski, s.J., Ph.D.

Department of Philosophy, fordham university will speak in the Diocese of Charlotte

on June 29, July 1 and July 2 The event topics and locations are presented below.

Please visit www.cssnc.org for event synopses.

The Catholic Understanding of Human Rights and the Common Good Photo by Kathleen Healy Schmieder

Madeleine Hiriak, Sylvia Porach and Patsy Hogoboom, members of the Mother Teresa Club at St. Barnabas Church in Arden, repair books at the church June 6.

Praying for life Msgr. John McSweeney, pastor of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, stands with a poster charting the number of rosaries prayed by

Monday, June 29, 10:30 am - 12 pm, 1st floor, Diocesan Pastoral Center Address: 1123 s. Church st., Charlotte, 28203 (visitor parking in adjacent satellite lot) Monday, June 29, 7 – 8:30 pm, Immaculate Conception Church, st. francis hall Address: 208 seventh Ave. West, Hendersonville, 28791

St. Paul on Questions of Human Life, Marriage, and Society wed., July 1, Parts I & Part II: 10 am – 3 pm, 1st floor, Diocesan Pastoral Center Address: 1123 s. Church st., Charlotte, 28203 (visitor parking in adjacent satellite lot) wed., July 1, Part I: 6:30 – 8:30 pm & thursday, July 2, Part II: 6:30 – 8:30 pm our lady of Mercy Church. Address: 1730 link road, Winston-salem, 27103

parishioners for the sanctity of life during the month of May. Parishioners exceeded the 7,500 goal by praying 10,212 rosaries, 1,430 of which were prayed by students, faculty and staff of St. Matthew School.

Courtesy Photo

Rev. Joseph Koterski, S.J., Ph.D.

fr. Joseph koterski, s.J. is Professor of Philosophy at Fordham university where he also serves as editor-in-Chief of the scholarly journal International Philosophical Quarterly. He holds a Ph.d. in Philosophy from st. louis u. and a M.div. and s.T.l. from the Weston school of Theology in boston. He has received both the Graduate student Faculty of the year Award and the undergraduate student Faculty of the year Award from Fordham university.

Sponsored by the Office of Justice and Peace and Respect Life Program of Catholic Social Services.

Please call 704-370-3228 or e-mail sabeason@charlottediocese.org if you plan to attend. Lunch will be provided at the June 29 and July 1 daytime events for all who register to attend in advance.

June 19, 2009

vocations

The Catholic News & Herald 5

Father Roberts ordained a priest of the diocese PRIEST, from page 1

changes and perfects a priest,” said Bishop Jugis, thus making “the commandment of the Lord possible — to love as he loves, to serve as he serves — because his love and grace have first been given to the priest, to purify and perfect him.”

“Through the Lord’s sanctifying grace, you become a sacrament of Christ the High Priest, capable of acting in the Person of Christ,” Bishop Jugis told Deacon Roberts. “You are consecrated as a true priest of the New Testament to serve Christ the teacher, priest and shepherd.”

“It was a powerful thing,” said Father Roberts reflecting on the moment Bishop Jugis and priests of the diocese laid their hands on him during the Mass.

“My whole life has been preparation for this,” he said.

Father Benjamin Roberts Father Roberts was born in Charlotte and grew up in Lancaster, S.C., where he attended a Lutheran church.

Following high school, he began training to be a Lutheran minister. He studied Lutheran theology under the guidance of Rev. Andrew Weisner, campus pastor and chaplain at LenoirRhyne College in Hickory.

Rev. Weisner introduced him to Father Conrad Kimbrough, a retired priest for the Diocese of Charlotte.

“Around the time that I started thinking about converting to Catholicism, I started thinking about the priesthood,” recalled Father Roberts.

“Father Kimbrough was really helpful in helping to discern my vocation, not only by talking, but by showing what it means to be a priest,” he said.

Father Roberts was received into the Catholic Church and confirmed by Father Peter Fitzgibbons at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville Oct. 30, 1999.

After a year of working in a soup kitchen in inner city Chicago, Father Roberts entered the seminary under the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Buffalo, N.Y., where he earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy from D’Youville College.

Photo by Katie Moore

Priesthood candidate Benjamin Roberts lies prostrate before the altar during his ordination Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte June 6. The congregation joined Bishop Peter J. Jugis (center) and visiting priests, deacons and seminarians in prayer for the church, its people and the priesthood candidate.

Next he entered his novitiate, a yearlong spiritual retreat in preparation for vows. During that time, Father Roberts discerned the call to become a parish priest. He left the novitiate in March 2005 and in August began formation for the Diocese of Charlotte at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa. Father Roberts has been assigned to St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro.

He said that he is looking forward most to performing sacramental ministry. “I love administering the sacraments,” said Father Roberts, particularly “celebrating Mass and celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation.”

“I always carry a purple stole,” he said, a practice encouraged by one of his mentors. “The sacrament of reconciliation is that important.”

Ordination Mass Concelebrants of the ordination Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral included Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey; Msgr. Mauricio W. West, vicar general and chancellor; Father Christopher

Gober, diocesan vocations director; Father Robert McDermott, dean of men at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary; and priests serving in the Diocese of Charlotte. Also in attendance was Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin.

During the rite of ordination, Father Roberts promised to fulfill the office of the priesthood. Kneeling, he placed his hands between Bishop Jugis’ hands in a promise of obedience to him and to his successors.

The congregation was invited to join in prayer for the church, its people and the priesthood candidate as he lay prostrate before the altar.

During the rite’s most solemn moment, Father Roberts knelt before Bishop Jugis, who laid his hands on his head. The celebration of the sacrament of holy orders was completed as the bishop extended his hands over the kneeling candidate and prayed the prayer of consecration.

Father Roberts was then vested with a stole and chasuble, outer garments of the priestly office. Bishop Jugis anointed his hands with sacred chrism and he was then presented with a chalice and paten, signifying his role as celebrant of the Eucharist.

The newly ordained Father Roberts then joined his brother priests to concelebrate the Mass, thus opening a new chapter in his life.

“Christ’s earthly ministry is

Photo by Katie Moore

Father Benjamin Rober ts is pictured during his ordination Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte June 6. continued in the priest,” said Father Roberts. “That is a truly humbling experience.”

“It is in this beautiful experience of the great mercy of God that he has called me to share in his life in this way,” he said.

Contact Staff Writer Katie Moore by calling (704) 370-3354, or e-mail kmmoore@charlottediocese.org.

SEE MORE PICS More photos of the ordination are online at www.charlottediocese.org.

6 The Catholic News & Herald

around the diocese

Peaceful reflections

Contemplative living, nonviolence explored at seminar by

KATHLEEN HEALY SCHMIEDER correspondent

MAGGIE VALLEY — The life and legacy of Trappist Father Thomas Merton were explored during a daylong seminar on peace and nonviolence.

Father Merton was a man who left “the solitude of the monastery and became the conscience of the peace movement in the ’60s,” said J. Patrick Mahon during his presentation at Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley May 30.

Mahon, a member of Pax Christi USA and peace activist, focused on Father Merton’s spiritual writings during his presentation at the seminar, entitled “Contemplative Living and Nonviolence: Thomas Merton.”

“I was always an ‘in-your-face’ activist,” said Mahon. “The contemplative grounding in Merton is making me more mellow.”

More than 30 people attended the seminar.

“We want to do anything that would help the people,” said Augustinian Brother Bill Harkin, director of Living Waters.

“We feel as Augustinians, our ministry is to open any thoughts that can include the spiritual part of a Catholic,” he said.

Father Merton was used as a prime example for contemplative living and the practice of nonviolence to achieve a path to understanding others and working toward peace.

Born in France in 1915, Father Merton’s experiences during World War II and the loss of his parents brought about a search for purpose. In 1941 at age 26, he left a rather wayward life behind to join the Trappist monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky.

He was soon recognized as one of America’s foremost writers on spirituality, following the 1948 publication of his best-selling autobiography, “The Seven Storey Mountain.”

After achieving fame for his writings, Father Merton later admitted there were several things, particularly in “The Seven Storey Mountain,” he wished he could rewrite. As his contemplative years continued, said Mahon, Father Merton’s

thoughts took on deeper understanding and compassion for his fellow man.

Father Merton realized the contemplative life of a Christian monk is not meant to center on an individual’s spiritual state. Instead, it is meant to focus on the larger, contemporary concerns of the world.

His belief that nonviolence was a necessary way of life grew more certain, said Mahon, and his works and passion for peace found ready followers among a generation filled with conflicting feelings about an ever-shrinking world during a time of global tension and an unpopular war.

“There are a lot of parallels between the Cold War of the ’50s and ’60s and today with modern terrorism,” said Mahon.

But Father Merton was not an absolute pacifist, noted Mahon. He said the monk admitted “I can see situations where we must defend ourselves.”

It was during his time in Kentucky that Father Merton reached an epiphany on a street corner, said Mahon. Observing the activity and daily lives of those around him, Father Merton realized it was in the everyday encounters with people that Christ was ever present.

“We must recognize we are all one with God, in that ground of love, ground of being,” said Mahon, reflecting on the teachings of Merton. “We must be aware of the evil in ourselves and work on what we have.”

Father George Kloster, pastor of St. William Church in Murphy and Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission in Hayesville, was involved in organizing the seminar.

“It’s important to set aside a day to reflect,” said Father Kloster.

“We need to apply these teachings to issues of our own day, not only to the violence of war, but also to such things as domestic violence. We need to see the significance of nonviolence and move more in that direction,” he said.

WANT MORE INFO? For more information on Living Waters Catholic Retreat Center, visit w w w. c a t h o l i c r e t r e a t . o r g o r c a l l (828) 926-3833.

June 19, 2009

Pastoral Assignments Bishop Peter J. Jugis announces the following pastoral assignments for the Diocese of Charlotte.

APPOINTMENTS OF PASTORS Effective Feb. 2 Capuchin Franciscan Father Nicholas Mormando From: Outside the diocese To: Pastor, Immaculate Conception Church, Hendersonville Effective March 3 Capuchin Franciscan Father Martin Schratz From: Outside the diocese To: Pastor, Our Lady of Consolation Church, Charlotte Effective July 7 Father John Allen From: Dean of Men, School of Theology, Pontifical College Josephinum, Ohio To: Pastor, St. Paul the Apostle Church, Greensboro Father Julio Dominguez Continuing as: Administrator, Hispanic ministry, Central Region To: Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Lenoir Jesuit Father Patrick Earl From: Outside the diocese To: Pastor, St. Peter Church, Charlotte Father Patrick Hoare From: Parochial Vicar, St. Mark Church, Huntersville To: Pastor, St. John Neumann Church, Charlotte Father Thomas Kessler From: Pastoral Formation Director, School of Divinity, St. Paul Seminary, Minn.

To: Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Monroe Father Matthew Leonard From: Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Lenoir To: Pastor, St. Margaret Mary Church, Swannanoa Father Frank Seabo From: Pastor, St. Margaret Mary Church, Swannanoa To: Pastor, St. Joan of Arc Church, Candler Effective Aug. 1 Oblate of St. Francis de Sales Father Paul Dechant From: Outside the diocese To: Pastor, Holy Cross Church, Kernersville

APPOINTMENTS OF PAROCHIAL VICARS Effective July 7 Father Brandon Jones From: Parochial Vicar, St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte To: Parochial Vicar, St. Mark Church, Huntersville Father Benjamin Roberts From: Newly ordained To: Parochial Vicar, St. Paul the Apostle Church, Greensboro

OTHER Effective Feb. 18 Redemptorist Father Van Cong Tran From: Outside the diocese To: In residence, St. James the Greater Church, Concord Effective July 1 Franciscan Father John McDowell From: Outside the diocese To: St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, Stoneville Effective July 7 Father Peter Pham From: In residence, St. Joseph Church, Charlotte To: In residence, St. John Neumann Church, Charlotte Father John Pagel From: Pastor, St. Joan of Arc Church, Candler To: Sabbatical at his request

CNS photo courtesy of The Thomas Merton Center Foundation

Trappist Father Thomas Merton is pictured with the Dalai Lama, exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, in a 1968 photo.

WANT MORE INFO?

For more information on vocations to the priesthood in the Diocese of Charlotte, go online to www.charlottediocese.org/vocations.html.

June 19, 2009

around the diocese

Bishop Jugis blesses new parish activity center CENTER, from page 1

water during the ceremony.

In his remarks, the bishop said the eucharistic celebration, in the church “just above you,” is the center of parish life.

The Eucharist is to be lived in fellowship in the center and in the wider world, he said.

The bishop then headed up the sidewalk to meet with the 13 young people about to be confirmed that day. Parishioners celebrated, complete with cake, in the center after the confirmation Mass.

Work on the 4,000-square-foot parish center began about three months after the church was dedicated, as money became available to complete the project. It includes a gathering space for 250 to 300 people, a kitchen, conference room and two classrooms.

Parishioners did much of the work,

installing dry wall and flooring, and painting the rooms. They made two trips to pick up a conference table and 10 upholstered high-backed swivel chairs that the Catholic Conference Center near Hickory donated.

The parish’s Women’s Circle held several fundraising events to provide kitchen equipment.

Father Larry LoMonaco, pastor, said later that he was “very relieved” that the center is finished.

“It turned out even better than I expected,” he said.

St. John the Evangelist Church’s next construction phase will involve the building of a bell tower containing an elevator, thus allowing inside access between the church and parish center.

A parishioner who is an architect has agreed to design the bell tower free of charge.

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

The Catholic News & Herald 7

Constructing a church

Courtesy Photo

Pictured is the frame of the new St. Pius X Church under construction in Greensboro. Bishop Peter J. Jugis and Msgr. Anthony Marcaccio, pastor, were among those taking part in the February groundbreaking ceremony.

Mass for the parish’s 1,248 families currently is celebrated in the gymnasium of St. Pius X School, as the original church was knocked down in December to make way for the new $6.5 million church, which will feature century-old stained glass windows and other religious items salvaged from older churches.

Barring periods of inclement weather, the church is expected to be completed by spring 2010 to coincide with the parish’s 50th anniversary.

Confirming faith

Photo by Joanita M. Nellenbach

Bishop Peter J. Jugis blesses the new parish activity center at St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville June 12.

Celebrating with cake

Courtesy Photo

Bishop Peter J. Jugis is pictured with the 25 youths who received the sacrament of confirmation at Holy Spirit Church in Denver May 29. Also pictured is Father Carmen Malacari, pastor; Deacon James Atkinson; faith formation teachers Kate D’Amato, Doreen Lehman, Sandy vonDohlen, Diane Hagens, Charmaine Hilgert and Linda Krehnbrink; altar servers; and fourth-degree Knights of Columbus. Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation, along with baptism and first Communion.

Photo by Joanita M. Nellenbach Photo by Joanita M. Nellenbach

Bishop Peter J. Jugis cuts a cake commemorating the 26th anniversary of his priestly ordination June 12 in the parish activity center at St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville.

Confirmandi gather with Bishop Peter J. Jugis outside St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville just before the confirmation Mass, June 12. Pictured are (from left) Dylan Brucki, Elizabeth Mendoza, Alvaro Leon, Anahi Martinez, Javier Ramirez, Becky Mendoza, Christian Constance, Bishop Jugis, Amy Arellano, Hilda Rios, Annalise Massey, Christina Harvey, Anthony Huber and Karen Gonzales.

8 The Catholic News & Herald

in our schools

Diocesan schools working to achieve new level of accreditation CHARLOTTE — Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte are embarking on a process to acquire a new level of accreditation.

The 18 schools are seeking District Accreditation, a relatively new form of accreditation available to school systems through AdvancED. AdvancED is the unified organization of the Commission on International and Transregional Accreditation, North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), through which Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte are currently accredited.

Formed in 2006, AdvancED represents 27,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 65 countries worldwide and educating 15 million students.

The accreditation process is designed to help schools and districts continuously improve through a unified, clear and powerful approach, according to AdvancED’s Web site. The process is based on a five-year term accreditation

Matthew Winning C.O.

June 19, 2009

that provides ongoing external checks, support and feedback, it says.

While all 18 diocesan schools have been evaluated regularly by SACS CASI and have successfully maintained full accreditation, AdvancED’s District Accreditation adds additional requirements and sets a higher standard, according to Mike Ford, marketing director for the Diocese of Charlotte’s Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system.

“Achieving accreditation at the district level will verify that, as a diocese, we set a high standard for all of our schools and we have plans in place to ensure continued improvement,” he said. “It will also ensure, at the same time, that all of our individual schools continue their levels of commitment to excellence with a plan in place for continued improvement.”

A diocesan steering committee comprised of school and diocesan staff has been formed to work with the schools toward achieving District Accreditation by spring of 2010.

“It is another step toward making our Catholic schools in the diocese the best that they can be,” said Ford.

words

Courtesy Photo

Mary Finnigan, a seventh-grader at St. Mark School in Huntersville, holds her award certificate for receiving first place in the junior high division of Catholic Social Services’ essay contest. CSS of the Diocese of Charlotte sponsored the essay contest, with the theme “Being the Heart and Hands of Jesus,” in diocesan Catholic schools for CSS Awareness Week April 15-May 3. Geri King, CSS Charlotte Regional Office director, presented the award and delivered pizza for Mary’s class May 7. Pictured are (from left) religion teacher Carol Earl, Mary, King, Principal Debbie Butler and Assistant Principal Anne Fulmer.

Bringing the Abbey to the city Belmont Abbey College to offer adult classes in Charlotte this fall by

KATIE MOORE staff writer

CHARLOTTE — A new option for Catholic adults seeking continuing education is coming to Charlotte.

Belmont Abbey College will begin offering classes for their Adult Degree Program at Charlotte Catholic High School beginning this fall.

The program will offer degrees in business and education, and plans are underway to offer a liberal studies major beginning January 2010. A criminal justice major is another possibility.

“At last, here’s an opportunity for Catholic adults who want to earn their college degrees and improve their lives to do so at a college that shares their Catholic values,” said Ed Jones, marketing director at Belmont Abbey College.

“Our program allows them to get their degrees by coming to classes just two nights a week,” he said.

Classes will be offered in eightweek sessions on Tuesday and Thursday nights. The idea for expanding to the Charlotte market came after a recent surge of growth within the program, which originated at the Sacred Heart College campus in 1979.

“The Adult Degree Program had around 380 students in 2007,” said Lucas Lamadrid, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at Belmont Abbey College. “Right now, the program has around 760 students.”

The goal for the inaugural class at the Charlotte campus is 200 students. As of June 14, 109 applications had been received, according to Jones.

“The Charlotte campus is really exciting for us,” said Bill Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College in a recent interview with David Hains,

communications director for the Diocese of Charlotte.

“I think this is a great opportunity for people to do something that is very close by and hopefully very convenient for them,” he said.

Charlotte is a highly-competitive market for adult degree programs, but this is the first program offered by a Catholic college.

“There are eight to 10 wellestablished adult degree programs offered within a 10-mile radius of Charlotte Catholic High School, so we knew we had to do and say something different to stand out,” said Jones.

“What better way to do that than to subtly emphasize our Catholic, Benedictine educational heritage of educating the whole person,” he said.

It is that focus on educating the whole person through mind, body and spirit that sets this program apart from the others.

“We follow the Catholic intellectual tradition which says there is no conflict between faith and reason,” said Thierfelder.

“We stand for the Catholic faith, we follow the teachings of the church and we do it with joy,” he said.

28th Cardinal Newman Lecture

Contact Staff Writer Katie Moore by calling (704) 370-3354, or e-mail kmmoore@charlottediocese.org.

WANT MORE INFO? An Adult Degree Program information session will be held at the Charlotte campus at Charlotte Catholic High School July 15 at 7 p.m. For more information on the program at Belmont Abbey College, visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu.

THE ORATORY 434 Charlotte Avenue, P.O. Box 11586 Rock Hill, SC 2973-1586

(803) 327-2097

rockhilloratory.com

Summer Bible Institute Sunday, July 19 – Friday, July 24 Joan Cook – Old Testament

Courtesy Photo

Fourth-grader Fraser Welsford and third-grader Bryan Bell of St. Pius X School in Greensboro hold their award certificates for receiving first place and honorable mention, respectively, in the elementary school division of CSS’s essay contest.

Pictured are (from left) Richard Von Stamwitz, CSS Greensboro Office board of directors; Msgr. Anthony Marcaccio, pastor of St. Pius X Church; and Principal Anne Knapke.

Old Testament presentations will be Sunday from 7-9 pm, and Monday through Thursday evenings from 6:45-9:30 pm.

Dan Harrington – New Testament New Testament presentations will be Monday through Friday mornings from 8:45 -11:45 am.

For further information, please contact The Oratory.

June 19, 2009

Honoring graduates

in our schools

The Catholic News & Herald 9

No break from caring

Courtesy Photo

Courtesy Photo

Graduates Adam Morgan, Veronica Hammons, Bonnie McCurry, Crista Dolan, Philip Boyers and Andrew Black are pictured during an end-of-year awards ceremony at Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville May 28. The 132 graduates attended a baccalaureate Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point May 28 prior to their commencement ceremony at the Stevens Center in WinstonSalem May 30. Members of the graduating class received more than $9 million in scholarships.

Students hold reminders of ways to care for the Earth during an assembly on the last day of classes at St. Leo the Great School in Winston-Salem June 8. During the assembly, faculty reminded the students of all they had done during the school year to care for the planet, and what they can do during the summer break to continue that care.

Senior ceremonies

Summer reading

Courtesy Photo

The graduates of St. Michael School in Gastonia gather outside of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Gastonia May 31. The group was recognized during Mass and then attended an awards ceremony in the parish hall. Pictured are Mckenzie Kiser, Chris Meade, Jite Sido, Kaley Falls, Luke Watts, Ashly Cassaro, Gina Ruden, Jack Rosemond, Maria Manjarrez, Caroline Maier, Emily Kiser, Daniel Nelli, Cody Jones, Maureen Wilkinson, Kaleb Rostmeyer, Sam Pearce and Christian Gonzalez.

Courtesy Photo

Students at Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem sort and pack the more than 900 books they collected during a book drive in May. The books were donated to a Winston-Salem public school for students who have no books to read over the summer months.

Courtesy Photo

Oblate of St. Francis de Sales Father John Kelly, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point, stands with graduates of Immaculate Heart of Mary School on graduation day June 4. Father Kelly celebrated Mass for the students; an awards celebration followed. Pictured with Father Kelly are Joseph Angel, Marina Black, Grace Bunemann, Gary Dyer, Mackenzie Evans, Grant Fatyol, Scott Fatyol, Jackson Fetner, Gwendolyn Gies, Matthew Graney, Connor Greene, Sean Hamacher, Robert Hocutt, Alexandra Ilderton, Matthew Krawczyk, Benjamin Labra, Rafael Leon, Joshua Moore, Gregory Redden, Nicholas Ring, Molly Sheehan, Michael Tepedino, Michael Verdi, Taylor Vest and Alyssa Walker.

June 19, 2009

10 The Catholic News & Herald

Culture Watch

A roundup of Scripture, readings, films and more

Book says young women attracted to orders whose members wear habits

by ROXANNE KING catholic news service

DENVER — While the last 40 years have seen an overall drop in the numbers of women entering religious life, a new book released by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious says orders that are more visibly countercultural seem to be flourishing.

The council represents the superiors of more than 100 religious communities of sisters whose members wear an identifiable religious habit. A canonically approved organization founded in 1992 to promote religious life in the United States, the council notes that the average age of its member communities’ sisters is under 35.

The book, titled “The Foundations of Religious Life: Revisiting the Vision,” is a project of the council. It explores why the orders represented by the council are gaining numbers and how they are living out the vision of consecrated life described by the Second Vatican Council.

The book, released May 16, consists of essays written by six religious sisters representing five orders. The topics they address are: religious consecration, the spousal bond, the threefold response to vows, communion in community, and mission.

The Washington-based council is one of the two major organizations representing heads of women’s religious orders in the United States. The other is the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.

“We wanted to write something that says, ‘This is who we are and why we live this way,’” said Sister Prudence Allen, a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma, Mich., who wrote the book’s chapter on community life.

The other authors are: Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, a founding member of the Sisters of Life; Sister Mary Elizabeth Wusinich, also a Sister of Life; Sister Paula Jean Miller, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist; Sister Mary Dominic Pitts, a Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia in Nashville, Tenn.; and Sister M. Maximilia Um, a Sister of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George.

The introduction and conclusion were written by two canon lawyers, Sister Mary Judith O’Brien, formerly of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, and Sister Mary Nika Schaumber. Both are Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich.

“The book seeks to answer the question of why religious institutes are needed in today’s society,” Sister Allen told the Denver Catholic Register, newspaper of the Denver Archdiocese.

“We’re hoping everyone will read it and love it,” she added with a laugh.

Sister Allen is a professor

WORD TO LIFE

Sunday Scripture Readings: June 28, 2009

June 28, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle B Readings: 1) Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13 2) 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15 Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

God’s healing powers evident in world of philosophy at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver and author of the multivolume work “The Concept of Woman.”

Other religious sisters of the Denver Archdiocese who belong to the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious joined Sister Allen’s interview with the Denver Catholic Register to discuss their enthusiasm for the book.

Yo u n g w o m e n w a n t t o b e challenged to live the religious life, said Nashville Dominican Sister Mary Gertrude, principal of St. Vincent de Paul School in Denver. The Nashville Dominicans are among the orders experiencing the greatest success attracting new vocations, according to news reports.

“It’s very much a radical call to live and give yourself completely to Christ,” she said. “There is a real identify to who we are and what we are about.”

“We want to put religious life in front of young women today,” said Mother Paul Magyar, superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor, who operate Mullen Home for the Aged in Denver.

She said the new book also should affirm existing vocations.

“I think it will help to strengthen the religious vocation that is already there,” she added. The book shows that “we are faithful and happy in our vocation.”

by JEFF HENSLEY catholic news service

In today’s Gospel we read about the woman healed of 12 years of hemorrhaging by touching Jesus’ clothes.

The passage from Mark 5 also tells us how Jesus brought back to life the daughter of the synagogue official, though the crowd ridiculed him, even as he entered her home to wake her from what they said was death, but what Jesus himself spoke of as sleep.

Catholics believe that Jesus continues his work of physical healing through the sacraments and in answer to the prayers of believers.

The church believes this so strongly that to certify that healings are of a miraculous nature, it has established an elaborate and tight process using medical and other authorities to rule out other possible explanations.

But there are lesser miracles, interventions by God that will never be subject to such scrutiny, but are nonetheless evidence of his continuing care, demonstrating his active presence in our lives.

Many of us have seen these lesser

“miracles” in our own lives. We pray with someone who has a back problem and later they say they felt their back pop into place during the prayer.

We join in prayer with others and find that an older gentleman we have prayed over experienced a long period of relief from joint pain and stiffness.

Or we have felt the benefit of prayer, as I did, during and after the first of my two brain surgeries in November of 2003.

Two days after my neurosurgeon removed an egg-sized hemangioblastoma (benign) from the sensitive skull base region of my brain, he came into my room to find me sitting up in bed, having a lively conversation with my wife.

The doctor and his assistant both wore bemused looks as they approached my bed in intensive care.

In answer to my question, “Did I do well?” he responded, “You did spectacular!”

And while I am grateful to my surgeon for the four hours he operated on me, I’m even more grateful to God and the large network of people who were praying for me and my family, for the rather amazing recovery that followed.

Prior to and after the surgery, my wife and I felt the prayer that surrounded us.

It was like being surrounded by concentric circles of love, palpable love.

God’s grace does become manifest in his world. It is, after all, his world.

Questions: Have you experienced God’s healing touch in your own life? Why do you think God would want to continue to demonstrate his power to an unbelieving world?

Scripture to be Illustrated: “He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction’” (Mark 5:34).

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE Scripture for the week of June 21-27 Sunday (Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Job 38:1, 8-11, 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, Mark 4:35-41; Monday, Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 7:1-5; Tuesday, Genesis 13:2, 5-18, Matthew 7:6, 12-14; Wednesday (The Nativity of John the Baptist), Isaiah 49:1-6, Acts 13:22-26, Luke 1:57-66, 80; Thursday, Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16, Matthew 7:21-29; Friday, Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22, Matthew 8:1-4; Saturday (St. Cyril of Alexandria), Genesis 18:1-15, Luke 1:46-50, 53-55, Matthew 8:5-17.

Scripture for the week of June 28-July 4 Sunday (Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24, 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15, Mark 5:21-43; Monday (St. Peter and St. Paul), Acts 12:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18, Matthew 16:13-19; Tuesday (The First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church), Genesis 19:15-29, Matthew 8:23-27; Wednesday (Bl. Junipero Serra), Genesis 21:5, 8-20, Matthew 8:28-34; Thursday, Genesis 22:1-19, Matthew 9:1-8; Friday (St. Thomas), Ephesians 2:19-22, John 20:24-29; Saturday (St. Elizabeth of Portugal), Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29, Matthew 9:14-17.

Scripture for the week of July 5-11 Sunday (Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Ezekiel 2:2-5, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Mark 6:1-6; Monday (St. Maria Goretti), Genesis 28:10-22, Matthew 9:18-26; Tuesday, Genesis 32:23-33, Matthew 9:32-38; Wednesday, Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24, Matthew 10:1-7; Thursday (St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions), Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29; 45:1-5, Matthew 10:7-15; Friday, Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30, Matthew 10:16-23; Saturday (St. Benedict), Genesis 49:29-32, 50:15-26, Matthew 10:24-33.

The Catholic News & Herald 11

June 19, 2009

‘God on the Go’

Catholic combines faith, high-tech savvy to invent new Bible format by

NANCY FRAZIER O’BRIEN catholic news service

WASHINGTON — One of the oldest and most read books in the world now has a new, high-tech look. And it weighs only 5 grams, or one-hundredth of a pound. “God on the Go� is a USB flash drive containing the complete Bible in the New Revised Standard Version or the New Testament of the New American Bible. It is currently available only for PCs but a Mac-compatible version is expected out this summer.

Inventor Mark Mastroianni, a member of St. Edna Church in Arlington Heights, Ill., said the idea for “God on the Go� came to him in prayer when he was asking God how he could bring together his Catholic faith and his background in technology and product development. “Why not combine the Bible with commonly used and readily accessible technological platforms?� he recalled thinking.

After months of research and talks with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which holds the U.S. copyright on the New American Bible, “God on the Go� was born.

Mastroianni was pleased to learn that the device also offers the ecologically aware a “green� alternative to the printed Bible, since the thin pages of most Bibles require the use of a specialty ink that is “very toxic to users and in the manufacturing process.� “God on the Go� also has special appeal for the millennial generation, no longer used to reading the printed word and instead accustomed to getting all their information in front of a computer screen, he said.

The USB flash drive offers a number of advantages over a hefty version of the printed Bible, Mastroianni said.

It can be carried around on a key chain, and because the Bible only takes up 10 percent of the space on the flash drive, the user can add his or her own photos, songs or important documents to carry along with the Bible.

It also includes a verse/subject index, allows users to bookmark favorite passages and can take users directly to the daily New American Bible readings on the USCCB Web site.

Mastroianni worked with Dominican Father Jordan Kelly, director of the Office of Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Chicago, on the project “almost from day one� and pilot tested “God on the Go� with a group of students at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights during the fall semester of 2008.

The “feature that got the greatest response� from the 200 sophomores who tested it, according to Mastroianni, was a “mini-concordance� which gives users the ability to scroll through a list of feelings and to be linked to a Bible passage relevant to that emotion. “I never thought the Bible could be this cool,� he reported one student as saying.

Through www.4Marks.com, a Catholic social networking site, users of “God on the Go� also can trade their lists of favorite Bible passages with their friends.

The device can also be customized for group sales to parishes, schools and universities, Mastroianni said. “The face of the physical drive can be etched� with a name or logo, he added.

Mastroianni hopes to have the full New American Bible available on a “God on the Go� device by sometime next year, pending the U.S. bishops’ and Vatican approval of a new translation of the Old Testament.

CNS photo illustration by Bob Roller

Pictured is a “God on the Go� USB flash drive containing the complete Bible in the New Revised Standard Version or the New Testament of the New American Bible.

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12 The Catholic News & Herald

June 19, 2009

around the diocese

Celebrating Christ

Forming catechists

Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo by Dr. Cris Villapando

Donna Smith, faith formation director at St. Mark Church in Huntersville, leads a catechist formation session at St. John Lee Korean Church in Charlotte June 16. Approximately 40 catechists and parishioners attended the English-language session. The diocesan Faith Formation Office sponsors a competency-based catechist recognition and formation process for catechists in parishes throughout the diocese.

First Communion Father George Kloster, pastor of St. William Church in Murphy, is pictured with Cali Edgerton and Brenda Garcia, the two children who received the sacrament of first Communion June 14.

The Eucharist is one of the three sacraments of initiation, along with baptism and confirmation.

Father Timothy Reid, pastor of St. Ann Church in Charlotte, holds a monstrance during a bilingual Corpus Christi procession June 14. The procession stopped at three outdoor altars on the church property for Benediction. A eucharistic procession is a traditional feature of the celebration of the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.

DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Grade School Program St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte is seeking a full-time Director of Religious Education for its grade school faith formation program. Candidate must have a degree in Religious Education or a related area, and have experience in parish work.

Please send your resume and references to St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Attention: Personnel, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte, NC 28213.

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Rates: $.80/word per issue ($16 minimum per issue) Deadline: 12 noon Wednesday, 9 days before publication How to order: Ads may be E-mailed to ckfeerick@charlottediocese.org, faxed to (704) 370-3382 or mailed to: Cindi Feerick, The Catholic News & Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203.

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June 19, 2009

from the cover

The Catholic News & Herald 13

Perpetual adoration anniversary celebrated EUCHARIST, from page 1

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6/8/09

8:08 PM

Photo by Kevin E. Murray Page 1

Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin carries a monstrance at Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point June 14.

Poor Servants of the Mother of God. “We are celebrating the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist,” Bishop Curlin said during his homily.

Perpetual adoration is the practice of exposing the Eucharist 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Volunteers are recruited from within the community and beyond to be present in the chapel at all hours of the day and night.

“A lot of our residents participate, but it also brings in a lot of people from off campus,” said Edward Cordick,

Pennybyrn public relations director. “It makes this a very special place.”

“We feel Christ’s living presence through adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,” said Sister Philo, a Sister of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in High Point.

“It is a constant reminder of Christ, and a place where one comes to receive healing,” said Tom Burke, a parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point, who has been volunteering at the chapel for 15 years.

“Contrary to public opinion, there are a lot of religious people willing to keep the chapel manned 24/7,” he said.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis celebrated Mass and led a eucharistic procession there to celebrate the 10th anniversary in 2004. Bishop Curlin said he was happy to return for the 15th anniversary.

“I believe the perpetual adoration chapel has enriched our diocese with immeasurable blessings,” said Bishop Curlin in an interview. “It was an honor to officiate at its beginning, and an honor to see its continued growth.”

“The challenge for us today,” he said during his homily, “is not just to see Jesus in the tabernacle, but to bring him out with us to all the suffering people of the world.”

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

SEE MORE PICS More photos of the 15th anniversary are online at www.charlottediocese.org.

Get in the spirit of cottage living at Pennybyrn.

It’s all here: the ambiance of a charming neighborhood, an Adoration Chapel and two other chapels, walking trails and gardens, friendly neighbors, and gracious cottages that welcome you home. Each with a bright, open design and generous appointments. And just steps from your door, the Pennybyrn Community & Wellness Center and complete Fitness Center. Full-service retirement living with a whole new spirit, where daily Mass is offered on-site. A new community built on tradition and credibility and just 10 minutes from Greensboro. Call or come by today.

(336) 821-4050 or toll-free (866) 627-9343 www.PennybyrnAtMaryfield.com 109 Penny Road, High Point, NC 27260 Sponsored by the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God NP/CNH/6-09

Photo by Kevin E. Murray

The perpetual adoration chapel at Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point is pictured June 14.

June 19, 2009

14 The Catholic News & Herald

Perspectives

A collection of columns, editorials and viewpoints

Contrary action to Christ’s teachings

Abortionist’s murder in a church on Pentecost is sacrilegious

A notorious abortion provider was shot to death while ushering at a service in his Lutheran church on Pentecost Sunday by a person who, believing abortion is murder, found it right to murder the abortionist.

While holding no love for Dr. George Tiller, the notorious abortion clinic operator in Wichita, Kan., his murder in a church, especially on this day, is sacrilegious.

It is an insult to the pro-life cause and will pollute the debate at a time when the cause seems to be gaining in public favor.

The only way to prevail in a democracy is to win over a plurality of the public. This is where the battle is to be won, not in demonizing the opposition, not in vitriolic name-calling.

This murder was in no way a victory for the pro-life cause, for humanity. That the victim was doing evil things is no justification. The murder was morally and tactically wrong.

Tiller was a leading provider of lateterm abortions in his Wichita clinic, which for years was the site of prayer vigils and demonstrations. Protesters blockaded Tiller’s clinic during Operation Rescue’s “Summer of Mercy” protests during the summer of 1991, and Tiller was shot and wounded in both arms at his clinic in 1993.

The clinic was bombed in June 1986 and was severely vandalized last month.

Just as Tiller was the symbol of the evil of abortion, so his killer will be used as an icon by those who use any excuse to attack religion.

Within hours of his death, the blogosphere was filled with the unmoderated, unmediated and uncharitable comments by those who want to portray the pro-life movement as hypocritical and by those saying Tiller got what he deserved.

Both are wrong.

“Our bishops’ conference and all its members have repeatedly and publicly denounced all forms of violence in our society, including abortion as well as the misguided resort to violence by anyone opposed to abortion,” said Philadelphia Cardinal Justin Rigali, chair of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee, in a statement.

“Such killing is the opposite of everything we stand for, and everything we want our culture to stand for: respect for the life of each and every human being from its beginning to its natural end,” he said.

Yet there are those who still don’t get it, such as Randall Terry, founder of

Consider This STEPHEN KENT cns columnist

Operation Rescue, who was arrested by federal agents during a 1991 protest in front of Tiller’s office.

Said Terry: “But even Mr. Tiller, like other murderers, deserved a trial of his peers, and a legal execution, not vigilante justice.”

So rather than being killed by an assassin, Terry felt Tiller should have been killed by execution. Where is the respect for life in that statement?

Whether it is by beheading, by suicide bombing or by gunfire, killing for a belief is wrong, especially when the reason is protection of life. Saying Tiller got what was coming to him is as reprehensible as charging religion with killing in God’s name.

Contributing to the incendiary language is not helpful.

The 51-year-old assailant was charged with first-degree murder in Tiller’s death. More than a decade ago, he became involved with anti-government groups, and then became “very religious in an Old Testament, eye-for-an-eye way,” his former wife said.

He and his kind may believe in an eye for an eye. Christ taught to the contrary.

Write a Letter to the Editor The Catholic News & Herald welcomes letters from readers. We ask that letters be originals of 250 words or fewer, pertain to recent newspaper content or Catholic issues, and be in good taste.

To be considered for publication, each letter must include the name, address and daytime phone number of the writer for purpose of verification. Letters may be condensed due to space limitations and edited for clarity, style and factual accuracy.

The ‘hinge of salvation’ Catholicism has healthy view of flesh, sexuality Recent legislation proposed in the North Carolina General Assembly reminds Catholics that parents are the primary educators of their children.

The Healthy Youth Act, scheduled to be voted on by the N.C. Senate June 18 and opposed by both Catholic bishops in North Carolina, would mandate comprehensive sexual education for students in N.C. public schools.

While the bishops favor the options of curricula based on abstinence-untilmarriage or no sex education at all, it is important to understand that the bishops, and the Catholic Church, do not hold a negative view of sexuality in general.

When parents ponder what to say to their children on matters of sexuality, the first point of clarification should be that human sexuality is very good.

Many Christians, tragically, grow up believing that their bodies are “bad” and are obstacles to spirituality. While desires of the flesh can be disordered, let us not forget that as Christians we believe everything God created is “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

The idea that the human body is bad is actually a heresy, called Manichaeism. The Gnostic prophet Manichaeus condemned the body and all things sexual because he believed the material world was the source of evil.

Our sex-saturated culture has failed to see how valuable the body and sex really are. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “The flesh is the hinge of salvation. We believe in God who is creator of the flesh; we believe in the Word made flesh in order to redeem the flesh; we believe in the resurrection

Guest Column BATRICE ADCOCK guest columnist

of the flesh …” (n. 1015).

Indeed, the fact that our God created us and became one of us makes our bodies very special.

As popular Catholic speaker Christopher West likes to say, the Catholic faith is a “very fleshy, sensual religion.” We most intimately encounter God through our bodily senses and through material means.

The catechism explains: “As a being at once body and spirit, man expresses and perceives spiritual realities through physical signs and symbols” (n. 1146).

For example, in baptism the body is bathed with water and anointed with oil. In holy Communion, we consume the Body and Blood of Christ. Holy orders are conferred by the laying on of hands. And marriage is consummated by the “one flesh” union of spouses. In this complete gift of themselves, spouses experience a union that is sacred, because it images the love of God. It is clear, then, that Christianity does not hold a negative view of sexuality.

Adcock is natural family planning program director for Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Fathers by the Numbers Father’s Day has been celebrated nationally since 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it a permanent observance.

64.3 million 5.6 million 140,000 71%

6

fathers in the U.S. single fathers stay-at-home dads children younger than six ate dinner with their father every night. average times children ages 3-5 were read to by their fathers in the past week

The Catholic News & Herald does not publish poetry, form letter or petitions. Items submitted to The Catholic News & Herald become the property of the newspaper and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives.

Send letters to Letters to the Editor, The C a t h o l i c N e w s & H e r a l d , P. O . B o x 37267, Charlotte, N.C. 28237, or e-mail catholicnews@charlottediocese.org.

Numbers are gleaned from 2006 and 2008 census data.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

©2009 CNS

June 19, 2009

The Catholic News & Herald 15

Year for Priests important for everyone

We must not forget all that priests do for their flocks Last weekend I had the honor of attending the priestly ordination of Father Benjamin Roberts.

I love ordinations. They are such joyous occasions, not only for the newly ordained and his family, but for the entire church family.

It is a ceremony that is steeped in tradition and showcases the beauty and solemnity of our faith.

Aside from witnessing the new priest profess his vows, the part that I enjoy most is seeing all of the priests from across the diocese, present on the altar for the celebration of the Eucharist. It is a powerful thing to see so many priests standing together, united in prayer.

Our church consists of a unique melding of individuals united as a eucharistic family. We are one in the Body of Christ.

But as members of the church on earth, we are human and, as such, we are flawed and susceptible to the tarnish of sin — priests included.

Unfortunately, the sinful actions of a few have repercussions that fall on the shoulders of the many.

Pope Benedict XVI recently announced that June 19, the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, marks the beginning of the Year for Priests to emphasize the important role of priests in the mission of the church.

In an appearance on a recent episode

of Vatican Television’s “Octava Dies,” Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, reflected on the upcoming Year for Priests and on the importance of supporting priests through prayer and maintaining spiritual solidarity as a church family.

“If the problem of union with God confronts all Christians, it especially confronts priests, who are sought after by everyone at all times and whose number is diminishing or remains small in the face of all the demands,” Father Lombardi observed.

“Obviously, the holiness of priests is first of all their responsibility, but it also concerns the whole community of the faithful. It only takes a few unworthy priests to profoundly harm the credibility of the church,” he said.

When members of our church community fall short of our expectations, I am always saddened by those individuals who allow the incident to negatively impact their own faith lives.

The Catholic Church is bigger than any one individual and we must not allow the failings of the few to pull us away from our union with the whole church family.

In the Diocese of Charlotte, we are blessed to have 75 active diocesan priests, 54 religious priests and 25 retired priests.

They serve Mass in parishes every day, hear confessions, anoint the sick,

‘Put God in the center ...’

Life lessons for the Class of 2009 I can hardly believe it: My oldest son just graduated from high school!

It seems like yesterday that my wife and I were changing Joe’s diapers.

I know it’s a cliche, but time sure does fly. And these are not just my thoughts: Countless moms, dads and guardians are expressing similar sentiments all around the world.

So what words of wisdom can we give to our new graduates?

While I’m sure you have gems of your own, allow me to share with you a few of the thoughts I gave to my newly graduated son.

“Congratulations! You should be proud of yourself. You have worked hard; you hung in there, even when things were difficult. That shows real character. Because when it’s tough, it’s easy to quit.

“It’s always easier to walk away from problems, rather than work to resolve them. But the easy way is rarely the best way. Hard work and determination are essential ingredients to successful outcomes.

“This lesson is foundational, because while life is filled with many joys, it also is filled with many difficulties — especially if you continue to nurture a sensitivity to the sufferings of others both

locally and globally.

“However, feeling empathy for others who are hurting is not enough.

It’s just the beginning, not the end. Hard, determined work must follow.

“If life on this planet is to have meaning, it must be put at the service of others — with a very special emphasis on the unborn, poor, hungry and those affected by war.

“But much in our culture does not encourage such care and selflessness toward our fellow human beings. Our consumer-oriented society continuously urges us to buy things we simply do not need, at the terrible price of ignoring the hunger and poverty of billions of fellow human beings.

“So be alert. Don’t let the tempting, self-centered part of our culture grab hold of you. Don’t let it numb you toward the sufferings of so many. Rather, set your sights on selfless service.

“The great humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer said, ‘I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.’

“Finally, on my bookcase, you know I have a little plaque that reads: ‘Put God in the center — and everything will

Some Moore Thoughts KATIE MOORE staff writer

celebrate marriage and baptize new members into the church. They give talks and attend meetings. They volunteer with our youths and they visit the elderly.

And their desire to do all of this and more stems from a deep and profound calling to love and serve the Lord and his people.

Each has been chosen by God and has accepted the call. Every day they sacrifice their own personal wants and needs for the good of the church and the people they serve.

As laity our role is to support them in their mission to serve the church.

“The spiritual solidarity of the community is a powerful support for their spiritual and apostolic life,” Father Lombardi said. “In sum, the Year for Priests is important not only for priests, but for everyone.”

With that in mind, let us not forget the countless sacrifices that our priests make for us on a regular basis. Let us remember that as they continue to guide and shepherd their flocks, they depend on our prayers and continued support.

And let us allow this Year for Priests to serve as an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for our priests here in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Making a Difference TONY MAGLIANO cns columnist

come together.’ This is the single most important piece of advice I can give.

“For a nation, a church, a marriage, a family, a single human life will never experience true wisdom, unity, peace and joy unless God is at the center.

“And the essence of the one true God is love. ‘Love’ is a verb; it is actionoriented. It works for the good of others.

And by actively loving others, we prove and experience our love for God — and thus allow him to dwell at our center.

“Be determined to make a difference!

Make sure that the world is a better place because of the love that you put into action.

“The late, great archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Emmanuel Celestin Suhard, once said, ‘The world will belong to those who love it!’

“Graduation should not bring an end to education. Rather, it should encourage a lifelong adventure of learning, especially learning how to love more deeply.

“A life filled with love is each person’s final exam. Pease God, may we all graduate with flying colors!”

People must hear Gospel, praise God in their own language, pope says The Pope Speaks POPE BENEDICT XVI VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Gospel message cannot be fully part of people’s lives unless it has been faithfully translated into their language and is reflected in their culture, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Talking about the life and mission of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, ninth-century brothers and missionaries, the pope said the two recognized that although the Slavic people of Central Europe had embraced Christianity and were baptized, the people needed to hear the Gospel and praise God in their own language.

At his weekly general audience June 17 in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict said the two brothers not only helped invent an alphabet for the Slavonic language — an alphabet now known as Cyrillic in honor of one of the brothers — but they also carried out a theological battle against what is known as the “Trilingual Heresy.”

Here is the text of the pope’s audience remarks in English.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we continue our catechesis on the early Christian writers of the East and the West, we now turn to the brothers Sts. Cyril and Methodius.

They were born in Thessalonica in the early ninth century. Cyril, whose baptismal name was Constantine, was educated at the Byzantine Court, ordained a priest and became an acclaimed teacher of sacred and profane sciences. When his brother Michael became a monk, taking the name of Methodius, Cyril also decided to embrace the monastic life.

Having retrieved the relics of Pope Clement I during a mission in Crimea, the brothers successfully preached Christianity to the people of Moravia.

Inventing an alphabet for the Slavonic language, they together with their disciples translated the liturgy, the Bible and texts of the Fathers, shaping the culture of the Slav peoples and leaving an outstanding example of “inculturation.”

Pope Adrian II received them in Rome and encouraged their missionary work. When Cyril died in Rome in 869, Methodius continued the mission in spite of persecution. After his death in 885, some of his disciples, providentially released from slavery, spread the Gospel in Bulgaria and in “the Land of the Rus.” In recognition of the brothers’ vast influence, they were named co-patrons of Europe by Pope John Paul II. May we imitate their strong faith and their Christian wisdom as we bear witness to the Gospel in our daily lives!

June 19, 2009

The Catholic News & Herald 16

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The Word Became Flesh and Made His Dwelling Among Us Jn 1:14

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Padre Walter Lawson

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