June 25, 2004

June 25, 2004

The Catholic News & Herald 1

www.charlottediocese.org

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Outstanding students High schoolers serve homeless, special-needs children | Page 5

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI junE 25, 2004

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

vOLUME 13

no. 36

Helping hands

Protecting God’s Children

Bishops approve 2004 child sex abuse policy audits CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE DENVER — The U.S. bishops have approved onsite audits this year of all U.S. dioceses and Eastern-rite eparchies to monitor compliance with child sex abuse prevention policies.

The vote was 207-14 in favor with one abstention, according to a June 15 news release issued in Denver by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The vote was taken during the bishops’ June 14-19 closeddoor spring meeting, held this year in a Denver suburb. by

Kathleen McChesney, executive director of the bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection, which conducts the audits, said the vote leaves enough time to do the 2004 audits.

“Last year’s audits began at the end of June. This leaves us approximately the same amount of time,” she said.

The hierarchy also directed its all-lay National Review Board to prepare, in conjunction with the bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse, proposals for a study on the causes and context of the clergy See AUDITS, page 12

Guiding Christ

Courtesy Photo by Carol Rasmussen

Mark Sinclair, a parishioner of St. Aloysius Church in Hickory, helps repair a roof during the parish’s adult mission trip to western North Carolina June 6-11.

Parishioners build up homes, hope in western N.C.

by THEA SINCLAIR Special to The Catholic News & Herald

Photo by Rev. Mr. Gerald Potkay

Bishop Peter J. Jugis carries the monstrance during a eucharistic procession on the 10th anniversary of perpetual adoration at Maryfield Chapel in High Point June 13.

For more on this story and other Corpus Christi coverage, please see pages 8-9.

HICKORY — While many parishes sponsor mission trips to far-away places such as Jamaica, Mexico and Africa, St. Aloysius Church hosted its first adult mission trip to the western borders of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Seventeen parishioners and Father Edward Sheridan, pastor, spent June 6-11 assisting people in Clay and

Cherokee counties.

“You don’t need to leave our state to find many people who live in substandard housing,” said Rev. Mr. Thomas Rasmussen, permanent deacon at St. Aloysius Church, who helped organize the trip.

Ranging in age from 30 to 75, the group members worked in two teams — one team installed vinyl siding on the home of a 75-yearold widow; the other team See MISSION, page 16

INCOME Statistics (U.S. BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, 2000)

Cherokee County Population: 24,298 Per CAPITA INCOME: $19,193 Clay County Population: 8,775 Per CAPITA INCOME: $22,057 North Carolina Population: 8,049,313 Per CAPITA INCOME: $27,308

‘A great devotion’

Culture Watch

Perspectives

Parishioner endows funds for St. Joseph Church

Priests are happy, says book

Combating violence and porn; Caring for refugees

| Page 7

| Pages 10-11

| Pages 14-15

2 The Catholic News & Herald

InBrief

June 25, 2004

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

ROME (CNS) — The Catholic Church and especially women religious are playing a crucial role in the global battle against human trafficking, said participants in a June 17 conference sponsored by the U.S. Embassy to Holy See. Between 600,000 and 2 million people each year are smuggled across international borders as cheap labor, sex workers, child soldiers and organ donors, according to the International Organization for Migration. A disproportionate number of victims are women and children, the organization said.

Religious orders offer “spiritual, material and social support to victims of human trafficking, whose psychological and physical health has been jeopardized” by the experience, said Stefano Volpicelli of the organization’s Rome bureau.

“Religious play an important role” in exposing trafficking networks, protecting victims’ rights and giving victims a way out of forced labor, Volpicelli said.

Departing prayers

CNS photo by Don Blake, The Dialog

Father Robert Cannon is one of two chaplains serving the U.S. military mortuary at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. In the last 15 months, the facility has taken in the remains of nearly 800 people — most of them U.S. soldiers who died in Iraq.

Chaplain says military mortuary work deepens his respect for life DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (CNS) — Father Robert Cannon confronts “the face of evil” every day as he prays over the remains of U.S. military personnel being returned from Iraq and ministers to mortuary workers as they prepare those bodies for a final trip home.

Amid the horrific results of war that he sees, Father Cannon said he maintains his mental and spiritual health by approaching his work “as a man of faith.”

“It is very easy for anyone to recoil from the face of evil; I see the wounds of war as part of the reflection of the evil of our day and time,” he said. “I confront that with prayer, with Scripture.”

The priest, 52, is a lieutenant colonel and a reservist who was called to active duty 18 months ago.

Father Cannon is the only Catholic chaplain at the base’s Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Services, the Defense Department’s only mortuary in the continental United States.

The center handles remains of U.S. troops from around the world. Over the past 15 months most of those remains — nearly 800 bodies — have come from Iraq.

While Father Cannon deals with death, he said his work has deepened his respect for life.

“Life is a gift,” said the priest, a con-

Conference lauds women religious’ role in fighting human trafficking

sultant to the U.S. Catholic bishops’ prolife office. “You understand how fleeting life is and how precious it is.”

Father Cannon views his ministry as putting the spiritual works of mercy into action, especially the admonition to pray for the living and the dead. He said it was his vocation to pray for those who have died.

“And to pray for the families, that the Lord’s peace and consolation will come upon them in their grieving, that they can find some consolation and some hope in the sacrifice that has been made for our country, for peace in the world,” he said.

Recently, Father Cannon’s phone rang — it was Base Operations, telling him that a plane with remains would arrive in 25 minutes. As he got up and prepared to start the cycle again, to board a plane and pray over the remains of dead soldiers, he offered a final tribute.

“It is an absolute honor and a sacred privilege to serve our men and women who are defending our freedoms, and to contribute a little something back to them for the freedoms I enjoy,” he said. “To be able to worship freely in this country comes at a cost.

I am grateful to those in the past and present who defend my freedom to worship freely.”

Diocesan planner ASHEVILLE VICARIATE SWANNANOA — St. Margaret Mary Church, 102 Andrew Place, offers Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the first Friday of each month following the 12 p.m. Mass with Benediction at 5 p.m. For information call (828) 686-8833.

CHARLOTTE VICARIATE CHARLOTTE — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is offered in the chapel of St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., each Friday following the 9 a.m. Mass until Saturday at 9 a.m. Adorers are needed, particularly during the hours of midnight-6 a.m. For more information, call Charles and Bernice Kish at (704) 8 46-7387.

HUNTERSVILLE — Elizabeth Ministry is forming a group at St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Rd. Elizabeth Ministry offers confidential, one-to-one contact, information, comfort and healing for women who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death. Please call Sandy Buck at (704) 948-4587 for more information.

CHARLOTTE — Fun and Fitness after 50 classes are being offered at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. This program of gentle exercise promotes joint flexibility and muscle strength. Registration is not necessary. For more information, call Maureen Benfield at (704) 362-5047, ext. 221.

CHARLOTTE — Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is available for all members

Volpicelli works with religious superiors in training nuns who already have had experience in social work and human trafficking.

Italian Sister Eugenia Bonetti, who was honored recently by the U.S. State Department for her work in the fight against trafficking of sex workers, said men religious felt uneasy talking about an issue that mostly affects women.

“They don’t feel they can get involved because they have ideas that this is a woman’s problem,” said Sister Bonetti.

“But instead it is a man’s problem, too ... trafficking in human beings is destroying families,” she said.

“It’s logical bishops’ conferences or other faith-based religious structures should be involved” in the battle, said Sister Mary Ellen Dougherty, a School Sister of Notre Dame and project administrator for the U.S. bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services grant on human trafficking.

of the clergy and laity in the Diocese of Charlotte at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. Any parishioner interested in the Apostolate and who would like to make a firm commitment to adoration for one hour a week is welcome to join the Perpetual Adoration Society. For details, call Kathleen at (704) 366-5127 or e-mail Terri at terridugan@earthlink.com.

CHARLOTTE — The Happy Timers of St. Ann Church meet the first Wednesday of each month with a luncheon and program at 1 p.m. in the parish activity center, 3635 Park Rd. All adults age 55 and older are welcome. For more information, call Charles Nesto at (704) 398-0879.

GREENSBORO VICARIATE GREENSBORO — Jim McCullough, director of faith formation of Our Lady of Grace Church, 2205 W. Market St., will present “Key to the Scriptures,” a new way to read the Bible with understanding. Classes will meet Tuesdays 7-9 p.m. in the library. To register, leave your name, address and phone number with Mary-Ann DipPaola at (336) 274-6520, ext. 33.

GREENSBORO — Notre Dame Catholic High School is planning an alumni reunion for Aug. 14, 2004. For more information, call Nicholas Schnyder at (336) 333-3456 or e-mail nicholas. schnyder@bellsouth.net.

HIGH POINT — Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 512 Montlieu Ave., offers free “Gentle Fitness” classes Wednesdays and Fridays, 1:302:30 p.m. The classes are structured to the fitness levels of seniors and anyone wanting lowimpact aerobic workout. For more information, call Deana Collis at (336) 885-7029.

June 25, 2 0 0 4 Volume 13 • Number 36 Publisher: Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Editor: Kevin E. Murray Staff Writer: Karen A. Evans Graphic Designer: Tim Faragher Advertising Representative: Cindi Feerick Secretary: Sherill Beason 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203 Mail: P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237 Phone: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382 E-mail: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

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

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

The Catholic News & Herald 3

June 25, 2004

Pope urges people to give ‘gift Pope: God is refuge, especially of life’ and donate blood in times of danger and fear FROM THE VATICAN

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope John Paul II urged people worldwide to give “a gift of life” and donate blood.

At the end of his Angelus prayer June 13, the pope said blood donors perform an act of “great moral and civic value.”

“Donating one’s own blood voluntarily and without compensation is a gesture of great moral and civic value,” he said. “It’s a gift for life.”

“May blood donors, to whom all are grateful, increase in every part of the world,” he said.

The pope made special mention that June 14 marked World Blood Donor Day — an event organized in part by the World Health Organization, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and world blood donor organizations.

A large majority of the world’s

people have no access to safe blood supplies, according to the World Blood Donor Day Web site. Of the millions of units of blood donated every year, 38 percent of them are collected in developing countries where more than 80 percent of the world population lives, it said.

World Blood Donor Day is meant to pay tribute to the anonymous donors who give blood voluntarily and with no compensation. According to the Web site, voluntary unpaid blood donors offer the safest blood supplies as they have shown to be less likely to carry potentially life-threatening viruses such as HIV and hepatitis.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God is always with us to help us, especially at times of great danger or fear, said Pope John Paul II at his weekly general audience.

The pope focused his catechesis June 16 on Psalm 46, which he said

ASHEBORO — Franciscan Father Jude Winkler will speak on Negative Gifts July 26 at 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 512 W. Wainman St. We think of gifts as our talents, our best qualities and the best times, but more often it is our struggles, both those within ourselves and the difficult circumstances of our lives, that bring us closer to God. We learn to see these struggles as gifts and allow God to use even our weakness. Father Jude has written hundreds of articles and books on Sacred Scripture for adults and children. He conducts missions and retreats throughout the U.S. and Europe. Call (336) 629-0221 or email stjoe@ triad.rr.com for more information.

CONCORD — Discover how beautiful God’s plan for marriage really is! Natural Family Planning classes are being offered at St. James Church, 251 Union St., Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Learn a natural method that is just as effective as the Pill and is in accord with Catholic teaching. Contact Susan Chaney at (704) 720-0772 for more information or e-mail questions to sujo94@aol.com.

HICKORY VICARIATE LENOIR — Summer Faith Formation Catechesis will be offered each Sunday, 10:20-10:50 in the school building of St. Francis of Assisi Church, 328-B Woodsway Ln. NW. There will be an opportunity for discussion of the day’s Gospel. All are invited to share their thoughts.

For more information, call the church office at (828) 754-5281.

NEWTON — A Pastoral Care Training program will be offered July 24, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 720 W. 13th St. The program is designed to train parish volunteers to provide pastoral care to the elderly in a variety of facilities. Volunteers will be exposed to the following concepts: parish ministry, eucharistic ministry, senior sensitivity and confidentiality/ compliance/consistency. Deadline for registration is July 20. Call Sandra Breakfield at (704) 370-3220 or Kathy Mott at (828) 322-2397 to register.

SALISBURY VICARIATE SALISBURY — Our Lady Rosary Makers of Sacred Heart Church, 128 N. Fulton St., are making cord rosaries for the missions and the military. The group meets the first Tuesday of each month in the church office conference room, 10-11 a.m. For more information, call Cathy Yochim at (704) 636-6857 or Joan Kaczmarezyk at (704) 797-8405.

Episcopal

calendar

“expresses an indestructible faith in God who ‘is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help’ in our distress.”

The psalm celebrates the city of Jerusalem as “the city of God, ‘the holy place where the most high dwells,’” he said.

It is God’s presence there that reaffirms the psalmist’s conviction that despite any chaos or trouble, “Jerusalem ‘will not be disturbed; God will help it,’” the pope said.

“Despite the turmoil which makes peoples shudder and kingdoms totter, the faithful find in Zion the peace and serenity that come from communion with God,” he said.

The pope read only a small portion of his one-and-a-half-page catechesis to the more than 10,000 pilgrims gathered in St.

Cruz-ing toward

MOORESVILLE — A Support Group for Parents Who Have Lost a Child of any age meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at St. Therese Church, 217 Brawley School Rd. We draw strength from others’ experience of loss and grief. For more information, call Joy at (704) 664-3992.

MOORESVILLE — Seniors ages 55 and up are invited to St. Therese Church, 217 Brawley School Rd., the second Saturday of each month following the 5:30 Mass for Senior Games Night, featuring games and a potluck dinner. Call Barbara Daigler at (704) 662-9752 for details.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN VICARIATE HAYESVILLE — The Cherokee and Catholics conversation will continue July 20 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, U.S. Highway 64 West. Tribal archeologist Russ Townsend will discuss the history of the Cherokee. For more information, call the church office at (828) 837-2000 or (828) 389-3758.

WINSTON-SALEM VICARIATE CLEMMONS — Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd., offers Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday. Exposition begins at 6 p.m. and Benediction is at 9 p.m.

Is your parish or school sponsoring a free event? Please submit notices for the Diocesan Planner at least 15 days prior to the event date in writing to Karen A. Evans at kaevans@charlottediocese.org or fax to

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

June 27 North Carolina Black Catholic Conference Greensboro

Peter’s Square.

With God, wars end in peace and “wartime instruments of death turn into tools for the development of mankind,” he wrote.

“The Lord from his throne in Zion intervenes with great vigor against wars and establishes the peace that all people long for,” the pope said.

The Christian tradition then turns to Christ as “our peace and liberator from evil through his death and resurrection,” the pope said.

At the end of the audience, the pope gave his greetings in eight different languages and spent more than an hour offering his blessings to the long line of people who came to greet him.

July 5-8 Meeting of the bishops of the Atlanta province

CNS photo from Reuters

Brazilian Olympian Joaquim Cr uz poses with the Olympic torch atop Corcovado Mountain in front of Brazil’s famous “Christ the Redeemer” statue June 13 in Rio de Janeiro. The Olympic torch relay made its 10th stop in the Brazilian city while crossing through five continents en route to the 2004 summer games in Athens Aug. 13-29. Cruz won the gold medal in the 800-meter run at the 1984 Los Angeles games.

Diocesan requirements for reporting ministry-related sexual abuse of a minor 1. Any individual having actual knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect an incident of ministry-related sexual abuse is to immediately report the incident to the Chancery.

2. The Chancery will then report the incident to the proper civil authorities. The individual reporting the incident to the Chancery will be notified of the particulars regarding the Chancery’s filing of the incident with civil authorities.

3. This reporting requirement is not intended to supersede the right of an individual to make a report to civil authority, but is to ensure proper, complete and timely reporting. Should an individual choose to make a report to civil authority, a report is still to be made to the Chancery.

4 The Catholic News & Herald

around the diocese

NCCC presents service award to Greensboro parishioner Johnson exemplifies diversity, richness of council 1999 to 2001. Her service included work with the Caring Program for Children, which was a precursor to the state’s Health Choice program, and service on the Equal Rights Amendment Committee and on the advisory board for Jubilee.

She worked for several years for Catholic Social Services in Greensboro.

Previous recipients of the award include Father George Kloster, pastor of St. William Church in Murphy and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hayesville; and Christian Community Sister Evelyn Mattern, founder of the Diocese of Raleigh’s Peace and Justice Department.

The North Carolina Council of Churches is a statewide organization representing 15 Christian denominations and committed to the twin goals of ecumenism and social justice. More than 1.5 million North Carolinians are members of congregations under the Council’s umbrella.

June 25, 2004

Painting on Pentecost

GREENSBORO — The North Carolina Council of Churches presented a distinguished service award to Bridget Brown Johnson, a parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle Church.

Given in recognition of an exceptional and extended record of service to the council, the award was presented at the council’s house of delegates’ annual meeting in Greensboro. Johnson and fellow former council president Rev. Joseph Brown, pastor of the AME Zion Church in Wilmington, were honored with the award.

“I’m glad that we can recognize Bridget and Joe together. They embody many of the diversities that contribute to the richness of the N.C. Council of Churches — differences in church, race, gender, geography, even in leadership styles,” said George Reed, the council’s executive director.

“They have in common a strong personal faith, a deep commitment to the Council’s work for Christian wholeness, and a rich longing for justice — racial justice, economic justice, gender justice,” said Reed.

Johnson served as president from Courtesy Photo by Father Joseph Mack

Leading catechesis

A boy patiently waits while his face is painted at Asheboro’s Frazier Park during St. Joseph Church’s annual picnic May 30. Almost 650 people attended the parish’s 7th annual bilingual Mass for Pentecost and picnic, which featured multicultural food, music, games and face painting. The event, designed to bring the English- and Spanish-speaking cultures together, is staffed by the parish Knights of Columbus council, the Hispanic youth group and other parish volunteers.

Photos by Rev. Mr. Gerald Potkay

Franciscan Sister Bernadette Svatos, northern region coordinator of diocesan faith formation, hands out materials during a parish catechetical leaders’ meeting at the Franciscan Center in Greensboro June 10.

June 25, 2004

in our schools

The Catholic News & Herald 5

Outstanding outside the Charlotte Catholic students serve homeless, special-needs athletes by

KAREN A. EVANS staff writer

CHARLOTTE — Students at Charlotte Catholic High School spend hours in the classroom, on athletic fields and at extracurricular activities.

They also spend hours helping their fellow Charlotteans in a variety of ways.

Throughout the winter months, students work the first and second Tuesdays of each month at Charlotte’s Emergency Winter Shelter.

Since 1981, Emergency Winter Shelter (EWS) has operated from December through March, serving as the overflow from the Uptown Men’s Shelter on North Tryon St. As many as 1,400 men receive food and shelter at the EWS each winter.

“The students are our main workforce (of the volunteers from St. Patrick Church),” said Dick Kelly, a parishioner of St. Patrick Church and volunteer at the shelter. “They have a strong Christian faith and devotion to this work.”

The students work serving food, entering identification information into the computer for recording purposes, distributing blankets and other miscellaneous duties.

“These students should be praised for all their good work,” he said. “Working with these young people has been, and I hope will continue to be, the greatest satisfaction of my life.”

In addition to their on-going work at the shelter, 75 students spent the first three days of their summer vacation volunteering at the Special Olympics Athletic Retreat (Camp SOAR), held at the Jewish Community Center in south Charlotte June 9-11.

More than 180 athletes of all ages participated in the fourth annual SOAR games. The event gives people with special needs an opportunity to try activities

Photo by Karen A. Evans

SOAR campers and volunteers, many of whom are students at Charlotte Catholic High School, enjoy a dance to conclude the fourth annual Camp SOAR at the Jewish Community Center in Charlotte. they don’t normally participate in during Special Olympics games, including golf, tae kwon do and horseback riding.

Participants also enjoyed cheerleading, arts and crafts and bingo. A dance for athletes and volunteers concluded the days’ festivities.

The camp also emphasizes that all participants are winners, regardless of how fast they run a race.

Camp SOAR is the dream and vision of Bob Bowler, Special Olympics volunteer, coach and “jack-of-all-trades” for more than 20 years.

Courtesy photo by Al Tinson

A Camp SOAR athlete and volunteer share an enthusiastic “high five” during the three-day event designed to expose Special Olympics athletes to a variety of sports and activities. “(The athletes) deserve a camp of their own, and they deserve to be the stars of the camp and have a good time, meet new friends, meet new families,” said Bowler.

Some of those “new friends” were the volunteers from Charlotte Catholic High School.

“At first I was really nervous, but over the days, I had a lot of fun,” said Chris Needham, a rising sophomore.

“It was a great experience to help other kids,” said Megan Reynolds, a rising senior.

“All of our volunteers were terrific this year and the more than 50 students from Charlotte Catholic ... they not only had a great experience but were a credit to their school with the exemplary way they pitched in to do whatever needed to be done,” said Al Tinson, media relations volunteer for Special Olympics Mecklenburg County.

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

6 The Catholic News & Herald

in our schools

Students enriched by unusual pen

Long-haul trucker sends cards, letters to Our Lady of Mercy School Barb Burke, fourth-grade teacher, said the pen pal experience has enriched the lives of her students by not only allowing them to see the world as a longhaul trucker, but by opening the eyes of the students “to the immense size of the United States.”

“He has been very dedicated to the children,” said Burke. “He has been very influential in broadening the students’ horizons.”

Burke said Tibbetts recently joined the National Guard and may be joining the U.S. Armed Forces in the Middle East. The class with stay in touch with him and pray for him, she said.

June 25, 2004

Graduation blessing

WINSTON-SALEM — Fourthgraders at Our Lady of Mercy School have been “traveling” the highways and byways of the United States without leaving the classroom.

The class has been corresponding with Lee Tibbets, a truck driver, as part of the Wal-Mart Trucker Buddy Program for the last five years.

Tibbets, also known as “Lost Navigator” over citizens band (CB) radio, has sent more than 100 postcards and letters to the fourth-graders, allowing them to track his travels throughout the country.

On several occasions, Tibbets has driven to the school to visit the class.

Out and about Courtesy Photo

Eighth-graders offer a blessing to their parents during a graduation awards assembly at Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro June 2. Members of the graduating class were: Tiffany Ngoc Diem Bui, Lloyd Cheek III, John Cochran, John Curnes, Brenna Currie, Mary Donahue, Leland Evans, Ryan Farrington, Della Farthing, Leslee Villaluz Flores, Tyler Frankenberg, Lauren Hill, Heather Hofmann, Melissa Horne, Christopher Jackson, Andrew Justice, Benjamin Kirby, Kyle Krasicky, Alexandra Leonard, Jonathan Leonard, Laura Luempert, Tracy Martin, Christina McDonald, Kelly McGee, Elle Merrill, Neil Miller, Mary Mooney, Travis Murphy, Bruce Murray, Jordan Nunez, Patrick Oechsli, Ashley Chinasa Oha, Kenneth Pagliei, Valentina Pavone, Jose Ricardo Ruiz-Hernandez, Mariamme Sadri, William Scott Jr., Conner Sherwood, Corinne Smith, Bryan Spencer, Daniel Spottl, John Valitutto and Samuel Wharton.

Courtesy Photo

Third-graders from St. Gabriel School in Charlotte enjoy a walking tour of downtown Matthews May 25. The students visited the library, government center, Post Office, community center, a hardware store and then picnicked in Stumptown Park.

June 25, 2004

around the diocese

‘A great devotion’ Parishioner endows funds for St. Joseph Church by

KEVIN E. MURRAY editor

NEWTON — Charles Harold Carpenter was a self-described “true Southern gentleman.”

Many who knew Carpenter, a parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Newton before his death on June 4, 2003, adored him.

“He was the last of the aristocracy,” said Denny Schell, a fellow parishioner and friend.

Descendant of a pioneer family in Lincoln County, Carpenter had ancestors who participated in both the Revolutionary and Civil wars. As such, the former professor in higher education had a great love of and respect for history — he was a member of Sons of the Revolution, Sons of the Confederacy, Organization of American Historians and Catawba County Historical Association, among others.

Born in 1924 and a lifelong bachelor, Carpenter converted to Catholicism at age 70 at an Easter Vigil Mass in 1994. It was then that his love of Catholicism truly began to blossom.

“He had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother and the rosary,” said Schell.

It was Carpenter who was instrumental in establishing a monthly rosary service after the Sunday Mass.

“He initiated it before I came to St. Joseph and even though he’s gone, it still continues today,” said Father Jim Collins, pastor. “He was a great motivator, and he will definitely be missed because he made his presence very known.”

Carpenter also served as a lay minister, a Prime Timer (seniors group) and as a greeter in the parish.

“He took his role as greeter at St. Joseph very seriously,” noted Schell.

Carpenter also supported numerous Catholic organizations, including the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, the Legion of Christ in America, the Church of St. John in New York City, the Salesian Missions of the World and the Society of St. Jude (his patron saint).

Carpenter’s love of his church motivated him to continue assisting it after his death.

“In his will, he instructed that $200,000 of his assets be used to set up a trust for the benefit of St. Joseph Church,” said Schell, whom Carpenter named executor of his will.

“The endowment was very generous,” said Father Collins. “I never expected it. I was very surprised.”

“He lived in a humble home and drove a simple car,” said Schell. “The only sign of his being well-to-do was his generosity.”

The Alma Mae Hoover Carpenter and Charles Harold Carpenter Endowment Fund for the Benefit of St. Joseph Parish was soon established through the Foundation for the Diocese of Charlotte.

The endowment was named after both Carpenter and his mother, Alma Mae, who died in 1995. The endowment’s name “was his way to honor his mother,” said Schell.

An endowment is a permanent fund placed in the diocesan foundation that earns income over time. The original amount is not spent, but the income can be used in a manner stipulated in a person’s estate plan or in an endowment agreement, according to Jim Kelley, foundation director.

Currently, the diocesan foundation has 118 endowments.

The Carpenter endowment will assist in the general, non-budgeted needs of the parish, said Schell.

“We hope to use proceeds from the endowment for things like repairs, maintenance or other non-budgeted items, or for outreach programs to help the community,” said Father Collins.

“Anyone from the parish can contribute to the endowment, and thereby continue to give perpetually to the needs of the parish,” said Schell.

The foundation is a non-profit organization established to provide endowments for the Diocese of Charlotte and its parishes, schools, agencies and organizations.

People in the diocese are giving not only of their current income, said Kelley, but more and more people are taking another step in stewardship by giving their cumulative assets to take care of the church.

Carpenter’s endowment will continue to take care of St. Joseph Church for a long time to come.

“He left his mark on the church, and we will not be able to forget him,” said Father Collins.

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

The Catholic News & Herald 7

ENDOWMENTS AND PLANNED GIVING In addition to a bequest in a will — in which you can stipulate that the diocesan foundation or named endowment receives a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or remainder after other bequests are filled — there are five other primary ways to donate an endowment to the diocese, according to Gina Rhodes, diocesan director of planned giving. They are: — Gifts of cash, securities or real estate.

— Gifts of life insurance, which allow you to make a gift that might be larger than if you were to give an asset outright. You can donate a paid policy that you already own or you can purchase a policy to donate.

— Life income arrangements, which allow you to make a gift during your lifetime while retaining and even increasing your income from those assets for the remainder of your life.

These include trusts and charitable gift annuities.

— Gifts from retirement plans, which you can designate your endowment as the remainder beneficiary of an IRA, 401K, or annuity to receive what is left in your retirement plan after your death.

— A gift of life estate in real property, which allows you to enjoy your home or vacation property during your lifetime, while giving you the satisfaction of knowing your church will benefit from the gift after your death.

To l e a r n m o r e a b o u t p l a n n e d

8 The Catholic News & Herald

Corpus christi

June 25, 2004

A decade of Ten years of perpetual adoration celebrated devotion at Maryfield Chapel

by REV. MR. GERALD POTKAY correspondent

HIGH POINT — The feast of Corpus Christi, this year celebrated June 13, marked the 10th consecutive year of perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Maryfield Chapel at Pennybyrn at Maryfield, a continuing care retirement community founded by the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God. “It is truly unbelievable that 10 years have passed since perpetual adoration started here at Maryfield,” said Sister Lucy Hennessy, chief executive officer of Maryfield Inc. Bishop Peter J. Jugis celebrated Mass in honor of the feast of Corpus Christi and the anniversary of perpetual adoration in the Maryfield Chapel.

Perpetual adoration is a practice in some parishes and religious communities of exposing the Eucharist 24 hours a day in a chapel for continuous adoration.

Communities that establish perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are expected to assure that there is always someone present in prayer before the exposed Eucharist.

The sisters, staff and residents of Pennyburn at Maryfield and laity from the Triad area spend at least 720 hours per month in silent prayer and devotion to Jesus, who is present in the Eucharist. The volunteers are present both day and night, including the early hours of the morning.

“Perpetual adoration has drawn people from the surrounding Triad area to greater prayer life,” said Sister Hennessy.

“Adoration has been a blessing to Maryfield. People have opened up to the spiritual side of what we have to offer,” she said. “Maryfield is more than a care center. It is, more importantly, a prayer center.”

“The body and blood of Christ is, indeed, the center of the Catholic faith,” said Bishop Jugis. “That is why the tabernacle (the repository for the Eucharist) is placed in a prominent place in the church.”

The bishop said the Eucharist was

born out of Jesus’ suffering and death, and it is the living memorial to his sacrifice. “‘This is my body’ connects the sacrifice with the words ‘which is given up for you,’” said Bishop Jugis. “‘This is my blood’ connects the sacrifice with the words ‘which will be shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.’”

“Jesus wanted all of his followers from then (the Last Supper) until the end of the world to share his sacrifice.

Through the Eucharist, we are all present at the cross,” he said.

The paschal mystery is the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection, said Bishop Jugis.

“Jesus said, ‘He who eats my body and drinks my blood has eternal life.’ This shows that eternal life begins now,” said the bishop, “yet it comes to fullness on the last day at the Resurrection. Through the Eucharist, we look forward to the fulfillment of the promise of eternal glory.”

After the Mass, Bishop Jugis led a eucharistic procession around the facility’s rose garden. He was accompanied by Rev. Mr. Joseph Smith, permanent deacon at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point; Rev. Mr. David King, permanent deacon at Pennyburn at Maryfield; Msgr. Joseph Showfety, retired; Father Robert Ferris, pastor of St. Benedict Church in Greensboro; Father Andrew Lasko, retired; Father Patrick Gavigan, retired; Father Joseph Kelleher, retired; Father Francis O’Rourke, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro; and Father Jonathan Hanic, parochial vicar at St. Leo the Great Church in WinstonSalem.

Following the procession was a blessing of the sick and infirm, as well as a Benediction, a service consisting of prayers and hymns with the Eucharist displayed.

Contact Correspondent Rev. Mr. Gerald Potkay at (336) 427-8218 or e-mail gpotkay@triad.rr.com.

Photo by Rev. Mr. Gerald Potkay

Bishop Peter J. Jugis blesses residents of Pennybyrn at Maryfield during the 10th anniversary celebration of perpetual adoration at Maryfield Chapel in High Point June 13.

Pope announces year dedicated to the Eucharist for 2004-2005 Yearlong dedication for faithful to ‘start afresh from Christ’ ROME — Pope John Paul II announced a special year dedicated to the Eucharist, saying the church needs to highlight its importance for spiritual life and missionary tasks of the 21st century.

The eucharistic year will begin with the International Eucharistic Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, this Oct. 10-17 and will end with the Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist in Rome Oct. 2-29, 2005.

The pope made the announcement June 10, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, during a Mass at the Rome Basilica of St. John Lateran. Afterward he led a traditional eucharistic procession through the streets of Rome, while seated in the back of a modified flatbed truck.

The pope last year wrote an encyclical on the Eucharist, emphasizing its centrality for every aspect of church life.

At the Rome Mass, he said there was a close connection between the Eucharist and announcing Christ. To enter into communion with Christ in the Eucharist means becoming missionaries of the message of his sacrifice, he said.

“All those who come worthily for nourishment at his table become living instruments of his presence of love, mercy and peace,” he said.

At his noon blessing June 13, the pope said the eucharistic year was part of a pastoral project for the whole church, in which he was inviting the faithful to “start afresh from Christ.”

A better understanding of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist will lead to a better prayer life, which in turn will favor evangelization, the pope said.

June 25, 2004

The Catholic News & Herald 9

Corpus christi

Celebrating Corpus Christi

United in Christ

Corpus Christi conference educates, nourishes by

KAREN A. EVANS staff writer

Courtesy Photos by Tom Stocker

Billy Stocker leads the eucharistic procession to the Abbey Basilica during the diocesan Corpus Christi celebration at Belmont Abbey College June 12.

Eucharist unites Christians by

KEVIN E. MURRAY editor

BELMONT — Youth from around the diocese and as far away as Lexington, N.C., learned they all make up the body of Christ.

The diocesan offices of youth ministry, campus ministry, young adult ministry and Hispanic youth and young adult ministry sponsored a Corpus Christi celebration at Belmont Abbey College June 12.

More than 100 youths participated in the bilingual celebration, which featured a keynote address from Bishop Peter J. Jugis, workshops in English and Spanish, games, a eucharistic procession and a Benediction.

During the opening prayer, participants brought together pieces of a banner to form a giant image of Jesus. The banner was then displayed on the gymnasium wall as Bishop Jugis gave his address.

The bishop said he was delighted to attend the event, “especially considering the beautiful theme we have chosen for the day — Corpus Christi.”

“The body and blood of Christ is the center of our lives as Catholics,” said Bishop Jugis. “It is the center of the life of our parishes. Even physically speaking,

the tabernacle is placed at a prominent place in the church where the body of the Lord is reserved for adoration.”

The bishop said it was Jesus who made the Eucharist the center of the church’s life.

“He told the Apostles at the Last Supper, ‘Do this in remembrance of me,’ and in that way indicated that he wanted this sacred rite to be the principal worship of his church,” said Bishop Jugis.

“Here, in the sacrament, his real presence remains in the church in a physical, tangible, substantial way — Jesus remaining in his church all days until the end of time, uniting all of us in himself, and uniting in himself all the generations of Christians who have received the holy Eucharist since the first century,” he said.

Bishop Jugis said, “Holy Communion wipes away venial sins, increases Christ’s grace in us, makes us grow in our union with Christ, preserves us from future mortal sins and is the promise of eternal life.”

“This is the love of Christ in which we are allowed to participate in a most profound and personal way — a love that goes to the end, a love that knows no measure,” said the bishop.

CHARLOTTE — Catholics in the Diocese of Charlotte celebrated the feast of Corpus Christi with the Corpus Christi Conference June 1112.

The event, the first such conference held in the diocese, was sponsored

by Catholics United for the Faith, Catholic Scripture Study and The Friends of St. John Vianney, a group of diocesan priests.

More than 800 people attended a day and a half of worship and presentations at Charlotte Catholic High School. Many of those in attendance were young married couples and families with young children.

Two of the featured speakers for the conference were Catholic apologists Dr. Scott Hahn and Kimberly Hahn.

The purpose of the Corpus Christi Conference is “to educate, nourish and fulfill,” said Gail Buckley, sponsor and organizer of the conference.

Specifically, organizers of the conference wanted “to proclaim the Gospel and to bring into a mission territory (the Diocese of Charlotte) a Catholic conference to help shape the culture here in the South,” said Father Patrick Winslow, parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte.

Father Matthew Kauth, administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Franklin, said one of the initial goals of the conference was to create “counter presence.”

“You can’t simply denounce the evil going on in the world,” he said.

“You have to offer an alternative.”

“Rather than just condemning the present culture, (the conference) is an attempt to lift the people up by the beauty of their Catholic faith,” said Father Kauth.

Other diocesan priests involved in the initial planning of the conference were Father John Putnam, diocesan judicial vicar and pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury; Father Ray Williams, pastor of St. Mary Church in Sylva; Father Christopher Roux, parochial vicar of St. Mark Church in Huntersville; Father Christopher Gober, administrator of Saint Lucien Church in Spruce Pine; Father Matthew Buettner, parochial vicar of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte; Father Roger Arnsbarger, pastor of St. Barnabas Church in Arden; Fa-

ther Frank Seabo, administrator of St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa; and Father John Allen, vocations director for the Diocese of Charlotte.

“We are called to faithfulness ... first and foremost in our relationship with Jesus and because of that, our relationship with the Catholic Church,” said Kimberly Hahn, who addressed the subject of “The Eucharist as LifeGiving Love.”

“The greatest discovery for us (in becoming Catholics) ... was the idea of family — that God is our father, Christ is the firstborn among many brothers and sisters, and that through the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary becomes our mother,” said Scott Hahn, who spoke on the topic of “Swear to God, the Bible and the Sacraments.”

“The flesh and blood of Christ united us (with the saints and Christians),” he said.

Father Winslow, Father Kauth and Buckley all hoped participants left the conference with a great confidence in the veracity of their Catholic faith and a renewed interest in Catholic Scripture study.

“This weekend has been an absolute joy,” said Father Winslow.

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

Photo by Karen A. Evans

Dr. Scott Hahn speaks to participants at the Corpus Christi Conference at Charlotte Catholic High School June 12.

1 0 The Catholic News & Herald

June 25, 2004

Culture Watch

A roundup of Scripture, readings, films and more

Surprise! Priests are happy Book compiles research on priesthood reviewed by

FATHER DAN DANIELSON catholic news service

Catholic priests in the United States are “on average happy, mature and selffulfilled men.” They like being priests and doing what priests do. And the vast majority would do it again if they had to do it over.

Those are sociologist Father Andrew Greeley’s conclusions in “Priests: A Calling in Crisis.”

Father Greeley has been a controversial writer and opinion-giver on Catholic issues for decades. But to my knowledge, no one has ever disputed his justified reputation as a sociologist.

“Priests: A Calling in Crisis” is above

all a book of sociology. Those looking for inspiration, spirituality or personal testimony will be disappointed. While there are plenty of Father Greeley’s tentative conclusions and recommendations — enough to stimulate controversy — above all, he establishes a scientifically verifiable view of the priests of the United States today, one that is not drawn from anecdotal evidence or personal opinions.

In the light of the scandals created by the sexual abuse crisis, all sorts of theories of causation are trotted forth, focusing usu-

ally on the clergy’s low morale. Father Greeley takes a careful, critical look at those untested assumptions and, as a social scientist, finds them wanting.

Using research data from as far back as 1970 and as recent as the two Los Angeles Times studies in 1993 and 2002, he establishes the church sexual abuse scandal’s cause is not the celibacy requirement for priests nor homosexuality.

He dwells on some related matters, such as the laity’s dissatisfaction with the clergy’s professionalism, especially with their sermons and liturgy. He also notes the clear majority of the lower clergy and laity hold views that are at considerable variance from the official Roman position on such matters as the ordination of married men, artificial birth control and the election of bishops by the people.

He makes a number of recommendations that have some basis in the data.

They touch on seminary and ongoing formation programs, on the appointment of bishops and on the vocation shortage.

Father Greeley does an admirable job of giving objective data from which to discern the appropriate responses and actions regarding the future of priestly ministry in the United States.

Along the way, he offers his suggestions, all of which deserve to be considered, though they need to be balanced by other factors that Father Greeley does not consider. There are also many issues regarding multiculturalism among priests and parishioners that have a major impact on priestly ministry today.

There is no simple set of answers, but Father Greeley has contributed an important piece of the framework within which the answers need to be worked out. For that we can only be

WORD TO LIFE

Sunday Scripture Readings: July 4, 2004

July 4, Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C Readings: 1) Isaiah 66:10-14c Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20 2) Galatians 6:14-18 3) Gospel: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

by JEAN DENTON catholic news service

It gives one pause in reading this week’s Gospel to see the Lord — the one to whom we look for protection and care — saying, “Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.”

Why? Why would Jesus purposely send his beloved disciples among the wolves? But then, having just emerged from another season of high school and college graduations, I see the same scenario: parents, families, close friends sending their innocents like lambs among wolves — and seemingly pleased to be doing it!

(I remember the words of my daughter: “Mom, if Dad says ‘Welcome to the NFL’ one more time I’m going to scream.”)

Why do we send them? Because it’s the next step in their journey through human life. The wolves are out there, and it’s time to go.

The notes I wrote on graduation cards to my young friends this year

spoke to each one’s responsibility to her or his own giftedness, values and faith: “You are going to do great things,” “You will touch many people,” “You have a lot going for you,” “You will make a difference in the lives of those you meet,” “Stand by what you know to be true and right,” “Be attentive to the needs of people around you,” “You will be a role model for your peers.”

Why did I say these things? Because that’s who they are and that’s who we, their community, need them to be — because they are going among the wolves.

God’s abundant harvest awaits.

But the laborers are few. Jesus needed his disciples to grow up and take the next step, to continue the work for which he’d prepared them. His advice suggested that they would be OK if they followed it.

It was much the same as what we tell our grads: Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals (you’re good; be yourself — no need for pretense). Go in peace. If people reject your values, stand by those values anyway — but don’t hang around. Stay where you find welcome, accept what God will provide there and care for everyone in need.

Show people God’s love, and let them know it is theirs to have. And you’ll be happy.

Questions:

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 27 - JULY 3 Sunday (Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time), 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-18, Luke 9:51-62; Monday, Amos 2:6-10, 13-16, Matthew 8:18-22; Tuesday (Sts. Peter & Paul), Acts 12:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18, Matthew 16:13-19; Wednesday, Amos 5:14-15, 21-24, Matthew 8:28-34; Thursday (Bl. Junipero Serra), Amos 7:10-17, Matthew 9:1-8; Friday, Amos 8:4-6, 9-12, Matthew 9:9-13; Saturday (St. Thomas), Ephesians 2:19-22, John 20:24-29 SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 4 - JULY 10 Sunday (Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Isaiah 66:10-14, Galatians 6:14-18, Luke 10:1-12, 17-20; Monday (St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria), Hosea 2:16-18, 21-22, Matthew 9:18-26; Tuesday (St. Maria Goretti), Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13, Matthew 9:32-38; Wednesday, Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12, Matthew 10:1-7; Thursday, Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9, Matthew 10:7-15; Friday (St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions), Hosea 14:2-10, Matthew 10:16-23; Saturday, Isaiah 6:1-8, Matthew 10:24-33

The Catholic News & Herald 11

June 25, 2004

‘The Notebook’ sparks poignant love by

KAREN A. EVANS staff writer

CHARLOTTE — “The Notebook,” North Carolina-based author Nicholas Sparks’ best-selling first novel, is the latest to be translated into a major motion picture.

Like the previous two films, “Message in a Bottle” and “A Walk to Remember,” “The Notebook” is an endearing love story. “‘The Notebook’ is a very simple story,” said Sparks, a Catholic, in a telephone interview. “It’s a story about a couple who fell in love, and then stayed in love through thick and thin through the rest of their lives, no matter what life threw at them.”

The film opens in a nursing home with an elderly man (James Garner) visiting a fellow resident — an Alzheimer’s patient (Gena Rowlands). Reading from a well-worn notebook, he tells her the story of Noah Calhoun and Allie Hamilton, who meet as 17-year-olds in the small town of Seabrook, South Carolina.

Switching between past and present, Garner’s character narrates this extraordinary love story throughout the film.

Noah (Ryan Gosling) is instantly attracted to Allie (Rachel McAdams), who is spending the summer in Seabrook.

When they meet at a carnival in early June 1939, he sets off to win her heart.

Despite their differences — Allie is

the daughter of a refined Southern family and Noah works in a lumberyard — they begin the kind of whirlwind courtship of which romantics dream — laughing, arguing, kissing in the Atlantic surf — and Noah and Allie seem destined for a happy ending.

Allie’s parents and World War II step in, however, and drive the young couple apart.

After Allie’s mother forbids her to see Noah, the teen-agers argue over whether they are right for each other or if it is just a summer romance.

Before Noah and Allie can reconcile, the Hamiltons return home to Charleston. A heart-wrenching scene shows Allie rushing to the lumberyard to see Noah, only to learn that he is not there.

Later, a heartbroken Noah drives into the locked gate of the Hamiltons’ nowdeserted home.

Allie tries to forget Noah by immersing herself in studies at Sarah Lawrence College. Noah does the same, moving to New York City to find work, then enlisting in the army to fight on the European front in World War II. Soon after the war, Allie finds herself swept into a relationship with Lon Hammond (James Marsden). As a member of a well-to-do Southern family, Lon, unlike Noah, is quickly accepted by Allie’s parents.

Although Noah and Allie each fill

their lives with distractions, the other is never far from mind. Just weeks before her wedding to Lon, Allie seeks out Noah.

Seven years after they first met, their passions reunite. Allie is faced with a difficult choice — return to Charleston and marry the man who fits so well into the life she had always known, or stay with the man who has never left her heart.

Relative newcomers to film, Gosling and McAdams create a convincing onscreen chemistry and transition well from their portrayals of naïve 17-year-olds to worldly young adults. Equally captivating are veterans Garner and Rowlands, as well as Joan Allen and Sam Shepard as Allie’s mother and Noah’s father.

Ultimately, “The Notebook” is about everlasting, unconditional love, says Sparks.

“It’s a relevant story, because it’s universal,” Sparks said. “It’s a story that will be timeless a hundred years from now.”

Sparks said he believes that dating in the 21st century is not different from the past and that it is realistic for people to look for a love story like Noah and Allie’s in their own lives.

“People have changed less than people think they have,” he said.

Sparks said his Catholic faith affects

his writing in a number of ways.

“It impacts the things I will write and the things I won’t write,” he said. “I won’t write stories of adultery ... or stories I think are wrong — an older man and a young girl, for instance.”

“If I do include a love scene, it’s very tame,” Sparks said. “There is always a sense that the couple is going to end up together.”

“Film is an entirely different medium (from novels),” said Sparks. “There are certain things that, although I could try to capture them with words on paper, they’re not quite strong enough to resonate as well as any picture could.”

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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

Photo courtesy of New Line Cinema

Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) and Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) stroll down the streets of Seabrook, South Carolina in the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ “The Notebook.” The film tells the story of Allie and Noah, who reunite seven years after their summer romance, on the eve of Allie’s marriage to another man.

1 2 The Catholic News & Herald

June 25, 2004

in the news

Bishops approve audits AUDITS, from page 1

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sex abuse crisis. The study is called for by the bishops’ policies contained in the 2002 “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” but the financing has to be approved by the bishops.

“The National Review Board is pleased with the decision to move forward with the audits and to begin further research into the causes and context of these crimes,” said Justice Anne M. Burke, interim chairwoman of the review board.

“The message is clear: Children will be safe from harm in the Catholic Church and the bishops and lay people will work together on this,” said Burke, an Illinois Appellate Court judge.

The 2004 audits will be the second yearly report on how dioceses and eparchies are complying with policies. The 2003 audits showed 90 percent compliance.

The bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection has been directed to conduct this year’s audits and any future national audits pending the outcome of the policy review.

Praising the vote was Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul-Minneapolis, chairman of the sexual abuse ad hoc committee.

The bishops’ actions were “a clear indication of our commitment to the charter and to the protection of children and young people,” said Archbishop Flynn.

Agreeing was Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles, who had previously supported 2004 audits and said that opponents were a minority among the bishops.

In a separate news release, the cardinal said that the audit vote “indicates that the bishops are serious about continuing the important task of making sure that our church is safe for everyone, especially for children and youth.”

Burke said the bishops also agreed to do further studies with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York based upon the data the college collected last year for its massive statistical study on the nature and scope of the crisis during the years 19502002.

John Jay researchers, using detailed questionnaires sent to dioceses and eparchies, reported last February that 4,392 priests and deacons were credibly accused of child sex abuse involving 10,667 people during the time period.

Burke said that the review board will meet June 27-28 to chart its future work, make suggestions for the bishops’ November policy review and prepare guidelines for new members.

June 25, 2004

around the diocese

The Catholic News & Herald 13

Works of Mercy

Photo by Susan DeGuzman

Youth from Saint Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem don safety vests and rubber gloves to join city workers in cleaning up the river and streets surrounding Hanes Park June 9. Other youth passed out flyers throughout the neighborhood informing residents of the effects that trash and storm drainage have on park. This activity was part of the “Works of Mercy Week” organized by the parish’s youth ministry for middle school-age youth. Delivering Meals on Wheels, visiting shut-ins, working at the local food kitchen and providing free babysitting were other helpful projects of the week. Several teens from the senior high youth group assisted John Egan, parish youth minister, in organizing and supervising the weeklong activities. Father Thomas Kessler, pastor, celebrated Mass for the group toward the end of the week.

1 4 The Catholic News & Herald

June 25, 2004

Perspectives Caught in a ber gloves to remove videotapes and magazines while leading small-time owners away in handcuffs.

The stores, for the most part are gone. But pornography is far more pervasive than it ever was. Why do we have fewer porn shops but more pornography? Because our country is woven with the wires of cable and the Internet and is now sprayed with wireless access that puts the images of violence and porn at our fingertips on computers and TVs, anytime we get bored with surfing the 150 or so other channels.

How far down this slippery slope have we gone? The touchstone of modern porn is the magazine “Hustler.” Larry Flynt, the magazine’s publisher, once said in an interview that the kind of images that were appearing in his magazine in 1974 could now be found on network TV. Whom do we blame? AOL TimeWarner, AT&T and General Motors are a few of the companies that built the cable, Internet and satellite infrastructure that delivers this garbage.

Should the CEOs of these corporations, who make millions in profits from porn, be dragged away in handcuffs like the adult bookstore owners?

It’s tempting to point a finger of blame, but first maybe we should look at ourselves. How much porn is in our lives because it is just so easy, so convenient and so private? How often do we breeze by designer clothing ads that debase women and young girls?

The “Renewing the Mind of the Media” campaign is a good place to start. Check out the video and other information at www.renewingmedia.org and consider signing the pledge.

No one can stop the force of nature that is a hurricane, and I was lucky the night I was trapped by Hugo to find the shelter of my hotel. Thankfully, there are things we can do to stop the twisted cyclone of violence and pornography that comes at us from every direction. We can stop watching TV shows and avoid offensive, pornographic Web sites. We can write the sponsors and the above-mentioned mega-corporations and tell them to stop spreading smut.

Yes, you may feel like a candle in the wind, but given time a positive, prayerful force that is an example of the Lord’s love will prevail. The alternative, to simply live with these sad images that confront us on a daily basis, is simply unacceptable.

David Hains is director of communications for the Diocese of Charlotte. Contact him at dwhains@charlottdiocese.org.

A collection of columns, editorials and viewpoints

Catholics & the Media DAVID HAINS Guest Columnist In September 1989, I was a television reporter assigned to cover a hurricane. I thought I was going to have an easy couple of days because I was sent to Charleston, S.C. The storm was projected to make landfall farther north. A little wind, a couple of nights in a hotel and I would return home.

But Hurricane Hugo was a monster Category 4 storm. It would hammer both Charleston and me before heading inland.

Around 11:30 p.m., the worst winds of the storm came ashore — 140 miles per hour and I unfortunately found myself out of doors, trying to find my hotel after a failed attempt at doing a live report for my station. I had just crossed Market Street in the heart of Charleston and thought my hotel was a few feet to my right.

The hotel was hard to find because I couldn’t see — there was no electricity and it was pitch black. Because of the wind, the rain was falling horizontally and pummeling my eyes shut. No matter what direction I turned, I could not open them wide enough to orient myself. I was helplessly caught up in something that overwhelmed me.

I thought of that terrible night recently when I was introduced to an information campaign of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called “Renewing the Mind of the Media” — the topic of this year’s campaign is pornography and violence in the media.

Thanks to things like cable television and the Internet, America is being overwhelmed with violent and pornographic images. We are surrounded, pounded and shocked to numbness on a daily basis by media-delivered images of sex, sex and more sex. Like the hurricane, the images come at us from every direction — network television presents images of hotel heiress Paris Hilton mockingly seducing a boy; “Sex and the City,” a raunchy HBO show, is celebrated as it moves to a more widely available tier of cable TV. These examples are the rule, not the exception. The development of the Internet and cable television are the two horns on this Satan that have moved pornography from the back alleys of America to its living rooms.

Remember the day of the seedy “adult” bookstore? Cesspools of crime and perversion, they were raided regularly by police who donned rub-

Only Christ fulfills humanity’s thirst for justice, truth,

by CAROL GLATZ catholic news service

VATICAN CITY — Justice, truth and love are desired by all cultures and religions, but only Christ can fully satisfy those needs, said Pope John Paul II. “All the nations will come and worship before the Lord” to recognize his “righteous acts or rather the interventions throughout history of staunching evil and praising good,” the pope said at his June 23 general audience.

Some 8,000 pilgrims from all over the world packed into the Paul VI audience hall, where the weekly audience is held during Rome’s hot summer months.

The pope focused his catechesis on Chapter 15 of the Book of Revelation. He said the book’s canticle was “beautiful” in its “universal breath of religiousness and hope.”

The chapter speaks of the seven last plagues through which “God’s fury is accomplished.” The pope said

The Pope Speaks POPE JOHN PAUL II

the plagues symbolize “a judgment upon evil, oppression and violence in the world.”

“For this reason it is also a sign of hope for the righteous” who are “the just of this earth who stand before the risen Lamb of God,” he said.

Having conquered the beast, the enemy of God, the chosen ones raise up to the Lord a hymn of praise, the pope said.

“True prayer, in fact, other than asking for something, is also praise, thanks, a blessing, celebration, a profession of faith in the Lord who saves,” he said.

Ask the Bishop Do you have a question for Bishop Peter J. Jugis? The Catholic News & Herald is starting a new feature in which Bishop Jugis will answer questions that are submitted via regular mail or e-mail.

Questions about the faith and the Diocese of Charlotte that have a broad appeal will receive priority consideration for response in the newspaper.

When submitting a question, please include your name, address and a daytime telephone number. Questions may be condensed due to space limitations and edited for clarity, style and factual accuracy.

Send your “Ask the Bishop” question to Ask the Bishop, The Catholic News & Herald, P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28203, or e-mail askthebishop@charlottediocese.org.

The Catholic News & Herald 15

June 25, 2004

Care of refugees — a faith-based According to U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers, there are 17.1 million refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons worldwide. Though this number reveals a horrendous level of suffering, it is 22 percent less than three years ago. Part of the decrease is that relative peace has come to once war-torn areas (e.g. Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Balkans) and refugees are returning home.

The decrease may appear as just a statistic in what seems to be an endless, unsolvable problem; yet Lubbers recently stated that the decrease represents for more than 4 million people “the end of long years in exile and the start of a new life with renewed hope for the future.”

The theme of World Refugee Day (June 20) was “A Place to Call Home.”

It honors both the considerable efforts to improve some pressing refugee situations (such as the lengthy ordeal of the Sudanese “Lost Boys,” many of whom have found a new home in North Carolina) and challenges wealthier nations that much work is left to be done to aid refugees seeking “a place to call home.”

After Sept. 11, 2001, refugee admissions into the United States and other nations slowed dramatically, with U.S. admissions falling from approximately 70,000 per year to fewer than 30,000 per year. This drop is one of Sept. 11’s terrible aftereffects, as tens of thousands of refugees in camps throughout the world saw their dreams of finding a new home crushed as the United States and other governments grew more cautious about whom they admitted.

While our government is bound by the 1951 U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees to assist refugees, the non-profit work of faith

Guest Column JOE PURELLO Director, Office of Justice & Peace communities receives inspiration to care for refugees from a standard higher than any international agreement. The dignity and value of people transcends any governmental policy, for all people are created in the likeness of God. The prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures call the people of Israel to care for the “anawim” — a Hebrew word meaning the “little ones,” or those without power. Traditionally, “anawim” is used to identify “the widow, the orphan and the stranger.”

That the Hebrew people were once strangers in foreign lands is used as a teaching point by Moses and the prophets: “You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt.” (Leviticus 19:33-34) The Gospel parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us to reach out in kindness to those not of our land. The Holy Family, seeking safety in Egypt to escape King Herod’s wrath, knew firsthand the fear and struggles of those fleeing for their lives and what it meant to depend on the kindness of strangers.

In Matthew 25, Jesus says our eternal fate will be determined by how we treat those who suffer — “as you do to these

The crowning of Mary One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

Through the centuries certain forms of devotion to Our Lady tended to cloud the vital distinction between her role and the role of her Son. Some prayers appeared, for example, seeming to place her on an equal footing with Jesus as redeemer of the world.

So it is true that Vatican II told theologians and preachers to be alert to treat correctly the unique dignity of the Mother of God. They should, said the council, “equally avoid the falsity of exaggeration on the one hand, and the excess of narrow-mindedness on the other” (Constitution on the Church, No. 67).

It insists, however, that traditional practices and exercises of devotion toward her be treasured, as approved by the church through the centuries, since “Mary shines forth on earth ... as a sign of sure hope and solace for the pilgrim people of God” (No. 68).

If there’s a problem with Mary being called, or crowned as, queen, that too is unfounded.

The concept of Mary as Queen Mother, a prestigious title often given

Q. A local Catholic high school is embroiled over a May crowning that some parents want to observe with the students.

The head of the religion department objects that this ceremony started in the Middle Ages to entice nonbelievers into adoration of Mary and that this ritual was denounced at Vatican Council II. What is the church’s position? Is there a reason not to have them? (New York) A. I realize this response will not reach you during May, but I have no idea why this woman would think Vatican II “denounced” May crowning ceremonies. Just the opposite. If it is a form of devotion to the mother of Christ that enhances honor for him, the rite is encouraged.

The Council of Ephesus (431) defended the teaching that Mary is the Mother of God, not first to honor Mary but to clarify Catholic belief that Jesus is one (divine) person with two natures, human and divine.

Following this council, Catholic honor of Mary increased greatly, a fact which the church generally saw as fulfilling her words in the Magnificat, “From now on will all ages call me blessed; the Mighty

little ones [anawim] you do unto me.”

The Catholic Church resettles nearly one-fourth of all refugees admitted to the United States each year, a ministry offered regardless of the race, nationality or religion of the refugee. The Refugee Resettlement Office (RRO) of Catholic Social Services is the largest provider of refugee resettlement services in the area served by the Diocese of Charlotte.

Over the past two years, the RRO has resettled more than 300 Montagnard refugees from Vietnam. This summer, the RRO is preparing to receive more than 100 Hmong refugees from Laos and an additional 110 Bantu refugees from Somalia (51 Bantu refugees have already arrived). Some of these refugees have only known life in camps circled by barbed wire, even raising families in confinement.

Please remember refugees in your prayers, and especially consider prayers for the Montagnard, Hmong and Bantu refugees currently resettling in our diocese. May our prayers help us to see in the struggles of our refugee brothers and sisters the struggles of the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt.

Want to Help?

In addition to your prayers, newcomers to our diocese will need different types of assistance: furniture, household items, food vouchers, English language training and employment opportunities that offer benefits. Those interested in making financial or other types of donations, or willing to offer volunteer assistance, please contact the Refugee Resettlement Office at (704) 370-3283 or (704) 370-3277.

Question Corner FATHER JOHN DIETZEN CNS Columnist to the mother of a king in ancient times to signify her particular influence with her son, has good scriptural and traditional roots. (See, for example, Solomon and his mother Bathsheba.)

The church, of course, has a feast of the Queenship of Mary, celebrated now on Aug. 22.

There is no need, therefore, to see May crownings as anything more than a legitimate form of paraliturgical prayer, a way of appropriately honoring the mother of Jesus.

Almost any devotions, from the Stations of the Cross to novenas, can be abused, distorted or misunderstood. But that is only a reason to be thoughtful and careful that these celebrations fit within authentic Catholic tradition and teaching.

It is not a reason to forbid them.

A free brochure answering questions

Moment shared with bishop a blessing Guest Column Veronica Anthony Guest Columnist I am a parishioner of St. John Baptist de La Salle Church in North Wilkesboro and have been for more than three decades. I attended the ordination of Bishop Peter J. Jugis in Charlotte in October 2003, and our vicariate Mass in Boone with the bishop in November 2003. Both the ordination and vicariate Masses were spiritually uplifting experiences for me and they strengthened my faith in the Catholic Church.

I requested a few minutes after the vicariate Mass to speak to the bishop, and he very kindly talked to me for several minutes. I told him about my mom, Razia Anthony, who converted from Islam to Catholicism and sacrificed a lot for her faith. My mom is ailing and is in a nursing home, and I requested the bishop pray for her. He listened very attentively and asked for her name and assured me of his prayers.

After a confirmation Mass at St. John Baptist de La Salle Church June 9, 2004, I saw Bishop Jugis and he asked me about my mom. I do not have the words to express my happiness and pleasant surprise that the bishop remembered her, despite the fact that he meets thousands of people in the Diocese of Charlotte.

After the confirmation reception, Bishop Jugis visited my mom at the nursing home in Wilkesboro. He prayed the rosary and gave her the most holy blessing. I deeply appreciate that Bishop Jugis took time from his busy schedule to make an unplanned visit to bless my mom — we are very fortunate to have had this unique experience. The director of nursing commented that this was the first time a bishop had visited the nursing home.

I later shared my experience with parishioners of St. John Baptist de La Salle Church before the Saturday Mass.

They thanked me for narrarating this story; one parishioner commented that it renewed his faith in the Diocese of Charlotte.

I regretted not having a camera to capture the image of the bishop blessing my 84-year-old mother, but I am sure the spiritual image, as well as Bishop Jugis’ piety, meekness, humility and simplicity, will interminably be embedded in my mind. I will never forget Bishop Jugis and will always remember him in my prayers.

God bless Bishop Jugis, now and always.

1 6 The Catholic News & Herald

living the faith

Parishioners build hope, MISSION, from page 1

stained and sealed a wheelchair ramp and installed a new roof on the home of an 84-year-old widow.

The group’s efforts were inspired by the youth of St. Aloysius Church, who have made mission trips for the past five summers. The adult group wanted to stay in North Carolina, and Father George Kloster, pastor of St. William Church in Murphy and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hayesville, recommended the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville.

A mission agency of the United Methodist Church, the center is a resource and advocate for rural and smaller membership churches in the Southeast. For 10 weeks of the summer, adult and youth groups come to the center to repair 80 to 90 houses in Clay and Cherokee counties in North Carolina and Union Towns County in Tennessee.

The Office of Economic Opportunity, a program of the diocesan Catholic Social Services’ Office of Justice and Peace, partners with the center on a number of grants and projects.

The St. Aloysius Church group became more aware of the economic problems in western North Carolina.

During the trip, they met with Joan Furst, program director of the Office of Economic Opportunity; Father Kloster; and a center representative and learned about the collaborative

efforts of the above agencies and projects undertaken in some of the poorest counties of North Carolina.

The group shared their experiences during a prayer reflection on the last workday of the trip. Many felt they had left a loving legacy in the homes that were rehabilitated and the lives of their inhabitants.

“I got so much more out of this week than I gave,” said parishioner Carol Rasmussen.

“It was a privilege to be literally the hands, feet and eyes of Jesus in service to others,” said parishioner Mark Sinclair.

“I believe that these mission trips are a wonderful opportunity for urban Catholics in our diocese to see what the Catholic Church is doing in Appalachia,” said Furst.

“We hope that Catholics from around the diocese will continue to visit this beautiful region and volunteer their time serving others,” she said. “There is much to be done in these poverty stricken counties and the volunteers’ hours are so very much appreciated by the people out here.”

Thea Sinclair is a parishioner of St. Aloysius Church in Hickory. Staff Writer Karen A. Evans contributed to this story.

Considering a Mission Trip?

If your parish is interested in a mission trip in far western North Carolina, contact Joan Furst at (828) 835-3535.

Courtesy Photo by Thea Sinclair

Michael Richard and Carol Monohan, parishioners of St. Aloysius Church in Hickory, apply siding to a house during the parish’s adult mission trip to western North Carolina June 6-11.

June 25, 2004

Ad Altare Dei emblems

Courtesy Photo

After two years of study, five Catholic Boy Scouts from St. Aloysius Church in Hickory received their Ad Altare Dei emblems at Mass May 22. Pictured above are: Matthew McDonald, Phillip Corsi, Miles Dunning, Max Karaffa and Peter McAnulty. The Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) program, developed by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, helps Catholic Scouts develop a fully Christian way of life in a faith community. Dick McDonald, adult Scout leader and parishioner at St. Aloysius Church, served as counselor for the program that is organized in chapters based on the seven sacraments.

Rev. Mr. James Johnson, diocesan Scout chaplain, presented the emblems to the scouts. A special reception honoring this achievement was held at St. Aloysius Church following the Mass.