July 3, 2009
The Catholic News & Herald 3
Pope signs first encyclical on social Pope offers support to U.N. campaign themes to serve common good VATICAN CITY — For more than beliefs, the social encyclicals written by to end use of child soldiers 100 years, Catholic social teaching has most modern-day popes have tried to FROM THE VATICAN
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI offered his public support to the United Nations’ efforts to prevent the recruitment and deployment of child soldiers and said he prays each day for suffering children around the world. At the end of his weekly general audience June 24, the pope greeted Radhika Coormaraswamy, the U.N. secretary-general’s representative for children and armed conflict, who was accompanied by Grace Akallo and Kon Kelei, former child soldiers. The pope told the group he had deep “appreciation for the commitment to defend child victims of violence and weapons.” “I remember all the children of the world, especially those who are exposed to fear, abandonment, hunger, abuse, sickness and death. The pope is close to all of these little victims and remembers
them always in his prayers,” he said. After meeting Pope Benedict, the group spoke at a conference on the need to increase protection for children in times of war and to provide comprehensive rehabilitation programs to children who have been forced to take up arms. At the conference sponsored by the Rome-based Community of Sant’Egidio, Coormaraswamy said her office estimates there are about 250,000 children currently used as soldiers in wars and guerrilla conflicts around the world. “Communities of faith are communications networks,” she said. They are a key part of an “early warning system” sharing and giving information about kidnappings or murders of children, educating parents and children about the dangers of recruitment ploys and in making sure that church-run schools are “safe zones.”
risk. For more information, call the church office at (704) 543-7677.
caregivers of individuals with mental illnesses. The free course will be held at the church on Thursdays from Sept. 3 through Nov. 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Class size will be limited. For more information or to register, call Frank or Pat Cleary at (336) 286-2603. Participants must register before Aug. 6.
CHARLOTTE — The rosary is prayed every Wednesday at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 4207 Shamrock Dr., at 6:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 7 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call Juanita Thompson at (704) 536-0784. GREENSBORO VICARIATE GREENSBORO — Theology on Tap, a speaker series for Catholics in their 20s, 30s and 40s, will begin a three-week session in July. Theology on Tap is a casual forum where people gather to learn and discuss the teachings of the Catholic Church. The series will be held on the third floor of Natty Green’s Pub and Brewing Co., 345 S. Elm St., July 7, 14 and 20. Come at 6:45 p.m. to eat and socialize; speaker begins at 7:45 p.m. For more information, e-mail greensborotot@yahoo.com or call Deb at (336) 286-3687. 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 to attend. For more information, call Ben D’Apollo at (336) 812-3730 or Lorraine Brown (336) 292-5186. GREENSBORO — The health care ministry at St. Pius X Church, 2210 North Elm St., is teaming up with the National Alliance on Mental Illness to offer a 12-week course for family and/or
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July 5 (3 p.m.) Mass for U.S. military personnel St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte July 8 (7 p.m.) Mass for Knights of Columbus Basilica of St. Lawrence, Asheville
tried to help people face the world’s social, political and economic challenges with the power of the Gospel. Pope Benedict XVI announced June 29 that he had signed his first formal contribution to the list of papal encyclical letters on social themes and that it was titled “Caritas in Veritate” (“Love in Truth”). Although dated June 29, the letter was expected to be released July 7. The pope said his letter would look at modern problems in the field of promoting development, and he asked for prayers for “this latest contribution that the church offers humanity in its commitment for sustainable progress in full respect for human dignity and the real needs of all.” Instead of focusing on theological
shape the way Christians and all people of good will can better serve the common good. Each social encyclical was unique in that it sought to respond to the most pressing social realities at the time. Anticipating his first social encyclical, Pope Benedict said it would offer “a beautiful response” to the new realities and changes that had occurred since “Centesimus Annus” was promulgated 18 years ago. Pope Benedict also said the publication of the document was delayed by the eruption of one of the worst global economic crises in decades. He said he wanted to update what he had drafted so the document would deal thoroughly with the current crisis and offer “a more adequate response” to the world’s financial woes.
Palliums from the pope
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. 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.
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: July 9 (6:30 p.m.) Pastor installation of Father Frank Seabo St. Joan of Arc Church, Candler July 11 (5 p.m.) Mass for 75th anniversary of Our Lady of the Annunciation Church Albemarle
CNS photo by Tony Gentile, Reuters
Pope Benedict XVI embraces U.S. Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit after presenting him with a pallium on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 29. The pope bestowed the pallium on 34 archbishops from 20 countries. The woolen band worn around the shoulders is a sign of the archbishops’ authority and responsibility as shepherds.
Catholic Common Ground Initiative honors Sister Carol Keehan WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Catholic Common Ground Initiative presented its annual Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Award June 26 to Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity who is president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association. Sister Keehan was selected because of “her extraordinary contributions to creating common ground between c h u r c h l e a d e r s a nd government officials, organized labor and Catholic health care providers, the rich and
the poor,” according to the citation presented to her in a brief ceremony at The Catholic University of America in Washington. It praised Sister Keehan for her efforts to achieve national health care reform and for her work on a recent document by representatives of Catholic health care, the labor movement and the U.S. bishops’ conference setting principles designed to ensure a fair process as health care workers decide whether to join a union.
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