July 31, 2009

July 31, 2009

The Catholic News & Herald 1

www.charlottediocese.org

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Perspectives Strong words from a gentle pope; the anatomy of racism; proclaming the Word

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI July 31, 2009

Transitioning together

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

To renew body and soul

Parish ministry reaches out to unemployed by

staff writer

CHARLOTTE — There is an unspoken bond among the participants of St. Gabriel in Transition (SGIT). It is the realization that they are not alone in their struggle.

Whether they are facing a job layoff after 25 years of employment or the decision to make a mid-life career switch, many of them are sole-income earners who are suddenly faced with the realization of not knowing where their next paychecks will come from.

The pastor of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, “Father Frank O’Rourke, saw what was happening in town and decided to have an open forum,” said Bill Conwell, one of the

correspondent

MURPHY — Hurricane Katrina is four years gone, but New Orleans is still recovering.

To help explore ways to

KATIE MOORE staff writer

CNS photo by L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters

Pope Benedict XVI walks a path while on vacation in Les Combes, Italy, July 21. A cast is visible on the pope’s right arm. The pope, 82, fractured his wrist in a fall a few days into his summer vacation.

VATICAN CITY — The day before he left for his own vacation in northern Italy, Pope Benedict XVI called on vacationers to use their time off to renew body and soul and grow closer to God. He said he was praying for those on vacations or pilgrimages, that they would find “refreshment in body and spirit and an opportunity to draw closer to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving.”

A family from the Diocese of Charlotte recently spent their vacation on a pilgrimage to Italy May 1-16.

See VACATION, page 9

‘A powerful technology’ Latest stem cell advance said to prove again no need to kill embryos

New Orleans Catholic Charities visits OEO in Murphy JOANITA M. NELLENBACH

Pope urges Catholics to use vacations to draw closer to God

by

Helping families endure, prosper by

no. 34

Pilgrimage to Italy enriches faith of local family

KATIE MOORE

See JOBS, page 5

vOLUME 18

help that recovery, Petrina Balser spent July 11-15 at the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) at the Bishop Begley Center in Murphy. The Bishop Begley Center and the

CNS photo by Rick Wilking, Reuters

See OEO, page 8

The Treme area of New Orleans lies under several feet of water after Hurricane Katrina hit in this 2005 photo.

The work of two teams of Chinese scientists is “another demonstration that researchers don’t need to destroy embryos” to achieve stem cell advances, according to a prolife official at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Read the story on page 7.

Powerful technology

Culture Watch

In memorium

Stem cell advances prove no need to kill embryos

Books on biblical women, saints; Catholic voice actor

Benedictine Father Raymond Geyer: 1922-2009

| Page 7

| Pages 10-11

| Page 12

July 31, 2009

2 The Catholic News & Herald

InBrief

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

Bright hope amid despair

CNS photo by Russell F. Evans

A painting of a Catholic priest with children is seen on a wall next to railroad tracks in Villa 31, a slum in Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 5. A team of Catholic priests works in this slum to protect, educate and uplift some of Argentina’s poorest citizens.

In Buenos Aires’ slums, priests fight daily to defend life BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CNS) — Father Gustavo Carrara lives in one of Buenos Aires’ most destitute neighborhoods. For the last three years, he and his team of “curas villeros,” or slum priests, have fought a daily battle to protect, educate and uplift some of Argentina’s poorest citizens.

Father Carrara and his team reside where few nongovernmental organizations or government officials dare to visit. His church, La Capilla Santa Maria Madre del Pueblo, is in Bajo Flores, one of Buenos Aires’ most infamous slums.

Here, said Father Carrara, “faith goes hand in hand with social promotion.

Being a pastor here obliges a defense of life.”

In Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital and largest city, poor neighborhoods called “villas” house some of Argentina’s most impoverished citizens. Set on public property, villas often lack sewer systems, running water or gas with which to cook.

In some cases, entire neighborhoods are built precariously, using substandard materials and techniques.

Decorated with colorful pieces of broken glass below barred windows, the small Santa Maria chapel is a sanctuary amid squalor. Inside the pastoral residence, pictures of saints share wall space with posters of Argentine soccer legends.

Father Carrara said what his team of priests tries to provide is opportunity.

The priests gather old computers for a computer lab, hold carpentry classes for young adults, offer job training and provide day care for young children.

“We try to create a healthy, happy place where the children can come and do what children do: play,” Father Carrara said.

“Sometimes the schools are more cafeteria than school, because parents don’t have work,” he said. “It’s not that

they don’t want to work, it’s not that they don’t fight to improve, but they don’t have opportunity.”

Father Carrara attributed this lack of employment opportunity to a strong divide between people’s values inside and outside the villas.

“Here, life is organized around faith and the fight for dignity. Sometimes urban life is organized around money and power. In a lot of cases, these two perspectives collide,” he said.

“The people of the villas integrate the faith into their lives. Here, faith and life go hand in hand; God is intertwined with life. If you go to (the) market and you bring an image of the Virgin, it’s natural. If you bring the Virgin to the urban malls, everyone wonders why you’re there,” he said.

Father Carrara also has worked to protect his people from the effects of drug addiction. A real challenge in the villas is a highly addictive form of cocaine.

“We visit the schools in the area with a well-known therapist, with a social worker, and we present a systematic program about drug prevention for school-age children, from first grade to seventh grade,” he said.

The church’s active and vocal role in drug prevention has had consequences. A recent escalation in drug trafficking and consumption has led to threats against Catholic priests who live and work in the villas. Police are still investigating an April 20 incident in which a member of Father Carrara’s team received a death threat after denouncing rampant drug use.

While Father Carrara said he worries about his colleague, he understands why the drug dealers feel the need to threaten the church.

“The drug dealers feel as though the church undermines them with its voice and its work. The voice of the church has strength,” he said.

Effort to block U.S. funds to Planned Parenthood fails in House WASHINGTON (CNS) — An effort to withhold U.S. family planning funds from Planned Parenthood of America failed in the House of Representatives July 24 by a vote of 183 in favor and 247 opposed.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., had proposed the amendment to the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill for fiscal year 2010. The bill passed later that day by a vote of 264-153.

“The largest abortion provider in America should not also be the largest recipient of federal funding under Title X, as I believe a majority of the American people would attest,” Pence said in remarks on the House floor July 24.

“The time has come to deny all federal funding to Planned Parenthood of America,” he said.

Title X of the Public Health Services Act provides federal grants to programs that provide comprehensive family

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

ASHEVILLE VICARIATE ASHEVILLE — A Taize prayer service is held the second Friday of each month at 7 p.m. at St. Eugene Church, 72 Culvern St. Taize is a meditative prayer which mixes simple song, silence and Scripture. For more information, call the church office at (828) 254-5193.

BOONE VICARIATE SPRUCE PINE — A rosary of intercession for priests is recited each Friday at St. Lucien Church, 695 Summit St., before the 9 a.m.

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

CHARLOTTE VICARIATE CHARLOTTE — 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.

CHARLOTTE — Christians in Career Transition is a ministry devoted to assisting

planning and related preventive health care services.

In a statement after the vote on his amendment, Pence said he would “continue to fight for the right to life and for the day when abortions are not funded by the federal government,” adding that “taxpayers and the just cause for the unborn deserve no less.”

Also speaking in favor of the Pence amendment on the House floor was Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., a Catholic who co-chairs the Congressional ProLife Caucus.

“Millions of children live today because public funds weren’t available to effectuate their death,” Smith said. “ Ye t P l a n n e d P a r e n t h o o d aggressively seeks to compel taxpayer funds for abortion. ... It’s time to understand the irreversible harm Planned Parenthood is doing to the children of America — born and unborn,” he said.

others with the processes (position focusing, resumes, networking, interviewing, etc., and related issues) by which they can find employment, whether currently unemployed or about to be. The group meets the first and third Monday of each month, 7-9 p.m., in Room 132 of the New Life Center at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. For more information, call Deacon Jim Hamrlik at (704) 543-7677, ext.

1040; or Jack Rueckel at (704) 341-8449 or e-mail jrueckel@earthlink.com.

CHARLOTTE — A solemn prayer service including a blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine for those suffering from cancer or other incurable diseases will take place at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. St. Peregrine has been called the “wonder worker” for his intercession on behalf of those living with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. He is the patron saint of all who are afflicted by cancer, leg ailments or any incurable diseases, as well as the patron saint of youths at risk. A healing prayer service is offered on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. For more information, call the church office at (704) 543-7677.

CHARLOTTE — There will be an inquiry meeting for those interested in joining a Dominican Laity Group (third Order of St. Dominic) Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. in Room 132 of the New Life Center at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. The group is open to all who are in conformity with the teaching of the Magisterium and who are seeking the Dominican spiritual life. For more information, call Mary Snow at (704) 847-4405 or e-mail info@charlottelaydominicans.org. Or visit the Web site at www.charlottelaydominicans.org.

MINT HILL — The sacrament of anointing of the sick will be offered during a special Mass at St. Luke Church, 13700 Lawyers Rd., Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. Anointing is typically presented to those who need healing from physical or mental illness

jULy 31, 2 009 Volume 18 • Number 34

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.

July 31, 2009

The Catholic News & Herald 3

FROM THE VATICAN

Vatican taking cautious, not alarmist, approach to swine flu VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Though tens of thousands of people from all over the world crowd together to attend papal Masses, weekly general audiences and Angelus addresses, the Vatican is not taking any extreme measures in the face of the swine flu pandemic, said the director of the Vatican health service.

Dr. Giovanni Rocchi, a professor specializing in infectious diseases, said the Vatican has avoided an alarmist approach to dealing with the H1N1 virus, which causes swine flu, based on the “serious, careful and balanced observation of data coming from the World Health Organization.”

He made his comments in an interview published July 24 in the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano.

The Vatican’s Department of Health and Hygiene will continue to offer its usual cycle of flu vaccines to all Vatican employees and family members as it does every year, he said. But it will not be

taking any particular steps in prevention unless someone “coming from a country of risk shows warning signs,” he said.

This approach does not mean the Vatican is “taking the pandemic lightly,” he said.

If recommendations from the World Health Organization warrant it or Italy enacts particular precautions, the Vatican would, in good conscience, temporarily suspend large public gatherings, he added.

Rocchi predicted that swine flu “will surely reach our doorstep in the autumn.”

As soon as a specific vaccine to prevent the virus is available, the Vatican health department will be offering it, he said.

The World Health Organization said fatalities from the H1N1 virus have doubled in the past three weeks, from about 330 at the start of July to more than 700 new cases, adding that further deaths are expected in the future.

or someone who will be under going surgery.

Refreshments will be served after Mass. If anyone is in need of transportation, call Mary Adams at (704) 545-1224. For more information, contact Virginia Horne at (704) 823-0846.

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, who are Irish by birth or descent, or who are the wives of members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians or mothers of junior members.

We will be starting a new division 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.

GASTONIA VICARIATE GASTONIA — Discernment Day 2009 will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 708 St. Michael’s Lane, Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All high school- and college-age men of the diocese are invited to join Bishop Peter J. Jugis and his priests and seminarians for a day of reflection and meditation focused on the vocation of the priesthood. To reserve a spot, call (704) 370-3327.

GREENSBORO VICARIATE 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. A 6-week program on the epistles to the Hebrews will be held each Tuesday June 30 through Aug. 4. 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, contact 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 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.

Episcopal

calendar

Pope speaks of gift of priesthood, gift of grandparents LES COMBES, Italy (CNS) — Praying the Angelus with thousands of people gathered in an Alpine meadow, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the gift of the priesthood and the gift of grandparents.

The midday prayer July 26 was the last public appointment the pope was scheduled to hold in the Italian Alps, where he has been vacationing since July 13. He was scheduled to leave the evening of July 29 and transfer to the papal summer villa at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

In his Angelus address, the pope commented on the day’s Gospel reading about the multiplication of the loaves and fish, saying priests can see themselves in the disciples who wonder what they can do to feed such a huge crowd.

When they ask Jesus how five

loaves and two fish could possibly make a difference, they basically are asking, “Who am I? With my limits, how can I help Jesus in his mission?” the pope said.

“The Lord gives the response; precisely by placing the little that they are in his holy and venerable hands, priests become instruments of salvation for many, for all,” Pope Benedict said.

The pope also noted that July 26 is the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, “the parents of the mother of God and, therefore, the grandparents of Jesus.”

The feast, he said, “invites us to pray for grandparents, who are the depositories and often witnesses of the basic values of life within the family.

The educational role of grandparents is always very important,” especially in situations where one or both parents are frequently absent.

Prayers for peace

SALISBURY — The Ancient Order of Hibernians, an organization comprised of Catholic men of Irish birth or descent, will be forming a new division in the Salisbury area. If you are 16 years or older and are proud of you Irish heritage and are interested in your Catholic faith and Irish culture, contact Joe Dougherty, NC State AOH Organizer, at (704) 942-6345 or e-mail uniteire@yahoo.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.

CNS photo by Bruno Domingos, Reuters

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:

Aug. 5 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.)

Discernment Day St. Michael the Archangel Church, Gastonia

Aug. 8 (9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.)

Hispanic Ministry pastoral plan celebration Catholic Conference Center, Hickory

Aug. 6 (7 p.m.)

Pastor installation of Father Patrick Hoare St. John Neumann Church, Charlotte

Aug. 9 (12:30 p.m.)

Scroll Mass of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

People hold crosses during a protest against violence at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 26. Rio de Paz (Peace Rio), a non-governmental advocacy group, held the protest with relatives of victims of violence. Famous for its beaches and big parties at carnival time, Brazil’s second-biggest city is plagued by a vast gap between rich and poor that helps breed violent crime, including a huge drug trade, murders and assaults.

Atlanta’s vicar general named an auxiliary bishop for archdiocese WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has named Msgr. Luis R. Zarama, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, to be an auxiliary bishop of Atlanta.

The appointment was announced in Washington July 27 by Archbishop

Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop-designate Zarama, 50, who was born in Colombia, was ordained a priest in Atlanta in 1993 and has been vicar general since 2006.

ATTENTION READERS The Catholic News & Herald is currently on its fortnightly publishing schedule for the summer. The next issue will be Aug. 14.

4 The Catholic News & Herald

Generous giving

July 31, 2009

around the diocese

Appreciating priests

* the breathtaking countryside * the traditions of our Catholic faith * the legends of her people

and Fr. Mo West, Vicar General and Chancellor, for the

Courtesy Photo

Members of Knights of Columbus St. Matthew Council 10852 in Charlotte present

ALASKA CRUISE and RETREAT with a day in Seattle!

August 17-25, 2007

a $25,000 check KuhnChancellor (center), executive vice president and chief with to Fr.Dennis Mo West, and Vicar General s of her people operating officer of Holy Angels in Belmont, at the facility May 2.

The donation, the council’s largest to date, was raised through the Knights’ Operation LAMB (Least Among My Brethren) campaign, which raised more than $61,000 for the LAMB Foundation of NC in 2008. The foundation is a nonprofit public charity benefiting people with intellectual disabilities.

Holy Angels is a nonprofit corporation that provides programs and services to its resident adults and children with developmental disabilities.

Pictured are (from left) Earl Hartenstine, chief counselor of the squires; Richard White, N.C. state LAMB director and past grand knight; Kuhn; Bob Desch, grand knight; and Chuck Elgin, deputy grand knight.

Courtesy Phot

Diocesan priests (from left) Father C. Morris Boyd, parochial vicar of the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville; Father Wilbur Thomas, pastor of the basilica; Father John Pagel, on sabbatical; and Father Frank Seabo, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Church in Candler, are pictured with members of Court Asheville of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas during a priest appreciation dinner in Weaverville June 17.

The diocese of Charlotte invites you, your family and friends to discover

The Charm, Colors and Treasures of MEXICO

including the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Leading Knights

February 6-13, 2010

Highlights of your trip include: * Mexico City - an exciting mix of colonial, European and modern influences at the Zocalo, the Basilica, La Reforma Blvd., and so much more! * Aztecan ruins and Pyramids of the Sun and Moon tell the archaeological history * Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine – special Mass, free time to reflect, explore and purchase spiritual keepsakes * Famous Xochimilco market experienced by a gondola ride through its canals * Historic Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a magnificent converted monastery is our hotel for 2 nights as we explore this picturesque valley in the mountains * Day trips to both architecturally-important Taxco (known also for beautiful silver creations) and Cuernavaca, with its history and beautiful gardens Courtesy Photo by Patricia Mooney

Oblate of St. Francis de Sales Father Joseph Tustin (center, back), pastor of Holy Cross Church in Kernersville, stands with the new 2009-10 officers of Knights of Columbus Council 8509, who were installed after Mass June 17. The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal organization founded in the United States in 1882. Council 8509 sponsors fundraising events that benefit the parish and community and hold social events for families. Father Tustin serves as the council’s chaplain.

Attention Readers!

Have a NEWS Story to Share?

Do you have a news story to share with The Catholic News & Herald? Do you know of people who are living the tenets of their faith? Do you have photos of a parish- or ministry-based event?

If so, please share them with us. Contact Staff Writer Katie Moore at (704) 370-3354 or kmmoore@charlottediocese.org.

* Free time for relaxation, reflection and shopping! * Colorful Ballet Folklorico – optional evening of world-renown national music and dance celebration * Local arts and craft demonstrations to see famous Talavera pottery, the maguey plant, etc., and Diego Rivera’s famous storytelling murals * San Miguel de Milagro, site of St. Michael’s miraculous apparitions and well of curative waters * Mass celebrated each day in special historical holy sites

PRICE: only $1,869 (register before Oct. 29) from Charlotte INCLUDES AIRFARE, full-time professional tour manager, most meals, first class hotels and all tour fees. Airport taxes/fees, tips and insurance are extra.

Travel with the diocese – we take care of the details!

Call Cindi Feerick at 704/370-3332 for a brochure with complete details or Pentecost Tours 800/713-9800 for registration.

July 31, 2009

from the cover

The Catholic News & Herald 5

Parish ministry reaches out to the unemployed JOBS, from page 1

ministry’s leaders.

A committee was formed in December 2008.

“He (Father O’Rourke) invited people who were in transition or looking for jobs and people who wanted to help,” said Conwell.

The goal of SGIT is to support job seekers in their search for rewarding employment.

The ministry, which is open to all job seekers, utilizes the vast resources within the parish community by connecting those who are looking for employment with those who have particular skills and assets that can be applied to the job search process.

Craig Wheeler, for example, a member of the leadership team and a parishioner at St. Gabriel Church, works in banking and has been able to lend his skills to those who are seeking help with resumes and networking.

“This ministry was a good fit for me,” said Wheeler, who said he has “always been very passionate about helping people find compelling work.”

Occasionally speakers are brought in from the greater Charlotte community, but for the most part the group is taking

“Coming here for a job search reminds me that God is involved in all of this.”

— Kathy Kosminski advantage of the resources within the parish.

At the most recent meeting July 16, parishioner Keith Eades, founder and CEO of a sales training company in Charlotte and a knowledgeable authority on building world-class sales organizations, gave a talk entitled “How to Sell and Market Yourself the Solution Selling Way.” In his presentation, Eades discussed various techniques for selling oneself to prospective employers. He also handed out free copies of his book and provided participants with formulas and templates to develop individualized selling points based on their own situations and experiences.

“Not only am I thankful for the

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASSES

sponsored by Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte Research studies have found Natural Family Planning to be 97-99% effective when used correctly. Engaged and married couples, clergy and anyone interested in learning more about Church-sanctioned methods of natural family planning are welcome to attend. Engaged couples can receive verification of attendance to fulfill diocesan pre-Cana requirements.

Fall 2009 Introduction Classes Concord - Northgate Family Medicine August 19 - 7 pm Arden - St. Barnabas August 23 - 9:45 am and 12:15 pm Charlotte – Zitel Family Chiropractic August 28 - 7:30 pm Charlotte – St. Patrick September 5 - 6:45 pm September 6 - 10:45 am and 1:45 pm Mooresville – St. Therese October 4 - 1 pm Gastonia – St. Michael November 14 - 6:30 pm November 15 - 11:30 am Clemmons – Holy Family December 5 - 6:45 pm December 6 - 2 pm A FREE home-study course is available for your convenience.

Information: (704) 370-3230

cssnfp@charlottediocese.org www.cssnc.org/naturalfamilyplanning.html

Photo by Katie Moore

Keith Eades gives tips and suggestions to job seekers during a meeting of the St. Gabriel in Transition ministry at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte July 16. important ministry that St. Gabriel in Transition is providing but I am also very impressed with the administration, content and services that are being offered,” said Eades.

Parishioner Morris St. Angelo is one of the original participants. He began attending meetings in January when the ministry was formed.

“Realizing how embedded the mission of faith and service is that allows this group to function was really powerful to me,” said St. Angelo.

St. Angelo, who has recently found employment, was grateful to the ministry for helping him through a difficult time.

His advice to those who are seeking employment: “Don’t be afraid to try to learn the techniques needed to find a job.”

“I hadn’t looked for a job in over 25 years,” he said. “I had hired a ton of people,” but being on the other end of a job interview was unchartered territory.

At first, he thought, “I’m the only person on earth who is going through this.”

But after coming to the first SGIT meeting, he was relieved to find “a room full of people who looked just like me.”

At that point, St. Angelo came to the realization that he wasn’t alone.

“To me the advantage of one of these groups is recognizing you are not alone and that there are people who want to help you,” said Conwell.

And what better place to find that support system than within one’s own parish community.

“This is home to me,” said Kathy Kosminski, a St. Gabriel Church parishioner and SGIT participant.

“Coming here for a job search reminds me that God is involved in all of this,” she said.

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

Selling yourself According to Keith Eades, when it comes to selling yourself in today’s difficult job market two key principles apply: “No Pain No Change” and “Diagnose Before you Prescribe.”

His advice: find out the problems that are relevant to key individuals in the companies you want to work for and then diagnose the problems with good situational questions before you offer yourself as the solution.

Ad – css nat fam plan

Here are Eades’ four key components for selling yourself:

1.) Target — Do your research and know who the targets are in the company.

Size? Whatever needed to put i *** (BOLD in list and las 2.) Identify critical business cities or personal issues — What are the critical business and personal issues within the company that your capabilities address?

3.) Define your differentiated capabilities — What capabilities do you have that set you apart from other job seekers?

Be sure to use actual examples and Concordfrom - Northgate Family Medicine measured results your previous August 19 7 pm work experiences.

Fall 2009 Introduction Classes Arden - St. Barnabas

4.) Quantify your value — What value, August 22 - 6:45 pm if any, do your differentiated capabilities August 23 - 9:45 am and 12:15 pm bring to the situation? Use your value Charlotte – Zitel Family Chiropractic to stimulate and create interest or as August - 7:30 pm proof of how you can be the 28 solution to Charlotte – St. Patrick their problems.

September 5 - 6:45 pm September 6 - 10:45 am and 1:45 pm Mooresville – St. Therese WANT MORE INFO?October 4 - 1 pm Gastonia – St. Michael For general questions, contact B J D e n g l e r a t November b d e n g14l e- r6:30 @ pm November 15 11:30 am stgabrielchurch.org.

Clemmons – Holy Family To join SGIT, contactDecember Bill Conwell 5 - 6:45atpm SGIT@bellsouth.net.

December 6 - 2 pm

A FREE home-study course is av

6 The Catholic News & Herald

Roman vacation

youths in action

July 31, 2009

Leading in faith

Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo

Paul Kotlowski, director of diocesan youth ministry, presents the Bishop

Augustinian Father John Denny (center, back), pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Church in Maggie Valley, and Betsy McLeod (right, back) director of the parish vacation Bible school, stand with participants on the last day of the program June 26. More than 80 people, including students and youth and adult volunteers, participated in the weeklong program this year themed “Rome: Paul and the Underground Church.”

Michael J. Begley Youth Award to Nichole Lehman at Holy Spirit Church in

Exploring the ‘marvelous mystery’

school and community.

Denver July 12. Nichole earned the annual award out of about a dozen highschool-age nominees for demonstrating significant leadership in her parish, She serves on the parish council and parish leadership team, assists with faith formation and confirmation classes, is a member of the parish youth ministry group and was instrumental in helping the parish start a regular youth Mass.

Winning miss

Courtesy Photo

Father Carl Del Giudice, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Brevard, speaks to students during the parish Vacation Faith Formation program July 6-10.

During the week, 58 students learned about the elements of the Mass by attending children’s Masses, making crafts and engaging in other ageappropriate activities. The program was based on the vacation Bible school theme, “Marvelous Mystery — the Mass Comes Alive,’ by Cat.Chat, a Catholic audio show that uses prayer, songs and faith-filled stories to teach the Catholic faith.

Attention Readers!

Have a NEWS Story to Share?

Do you have a news story to share with The Catholic News & Herald? Do you know of people who are living the tenets of their faith? Do you have photos of a parish- or ministry-based event?

If so, please share them with us. Contact Staff Writer Katie Moore at (704) 370-3354 or kmmoore@charlottediocese.org.

Courtesy Photo

Third-grader Mary Kimball Osborn displays her tiara, sash and roses after winning the inaugural Little Miss SPX pageant July 17 during the summer school camps at St. Pius X School in Greensboro. Mary also won a scholarship for a free camp week.

The summer camps offer sports, art, science, cheerleading, crafts, cooking and enrichment, among other topics. Pageant participants were judged on talent, citizenship, casual and dress wear, and an on-stage interview.

July 31, 2009

The Catholic News & Herald 7

respect life

‘A powerful technology’ Latest stem cell advance said to prove again no need to kill embryos by

NANCY FRAZIER O’BRIEN catholic news service

WASHINGTON — The work of two teams of Chinese scientists who created live mice from induced pluripotent stem cells is “another demonstration that researchers don’t need to destroy embryos” to achieve stem cell advances, according to a pro-life official at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The research done by separate teams in Shanghai and Beijing and published July 23 in the scientific journals Nature and Cell Stem Cell showed that the socalled iPS cells have “the full range of uses that embryonic stem cells are proposed for,” said Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities.

“The immediate finding is that induced pluripotent stem cells, created without harming any embryos, really are as versatile as embryonic stem cells,” he said.

But Doerflinger also warned in a July 27 interview with Catholic News Service that this latest breakthrough in stem cell research shows that iPS cells are “so powerful” that researchers “might be able to put them in a human embryo and change the genetic makeup of that child and all the future generations” related to the child.

“It’s an ominous thing, that they could be remaking people’s genetic traits,” he added. “It’s a powerful technology and it could be misused.”

The two Chinese teams had varying degrees of success in creating genetic duplicates of mice by reprogramming skin cells from adult mice into iPS cells and then implanting the embryos created into a surrogate mother.

The first team, led by Qi Zhou of the Institute of Zoology in Beijing and Fanyi Zeng of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, reported 27 live births, starting with a mouse named Xiao Xiao or “Tiny.”

“The immediate finding is that induced pluripotent stem cells ... really are as versatile as embryonic stem cells.”

— Richard Doerflinger All 12 of the genetic duplicates that were mated produced offspring without abnormalities; the team reported hundreds of second-generation and more than 100 third-generation mice.

The second team, headed by Shaorong Gao of the National Institute of Biological Sciences in Beijing, produced only two live births using the same technique, with one of those dying in infancy.

The team is currently trying to mate the surviving mouse.

In the United States, the National Institutes of Health recently issued final guidelines for federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research, requiring that such research use only embryos created for reproductive purposes at in vitro fertilization clinics and no longer needed for that purpose.

The draft guidelines set standards for voluntary informed consent by those

CNS photo by Research Team Leader Qi Zhou/Chinese Academy of Sciences handout via Reuters

Tiny, a mouse created from stem cells created from mouse skin, is pictured in China in this January 2009 photograph made available July 24. The work of two teams of Chinese scientists who created the mice from induced pluripotent stem cells is “another demonstration that researchers don’t need to destroy embryos” to achieve stem-cell advances, according to a pro-life official at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. donating the embryos, and said no NIH funds would be given for research that did not meet the standards.

The final guidelines, however, set up an “alternative pathway” for the approval of funding of research involving embryos donated before the new guidelines took effect or involving stem-cell lines developed in foreign countries.

A working group made up of about 10 scientists and ethicists is to look at each such application on a caseby-case basis to determine whether it meets the core principles of voluntary informed consent.

Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, strongly criticized the final guidelines and said the debate over embryonic stemcell research “now shifts to Congress, where some members have said even this policy does not go far enough in treating some human beings as objects to be created, manipulated and destroyed for others’ use.”

Some had predicted that President Barack Obama’s decision to reverse the limits on funding of embryonic stem cell research established under President George W. Bush would lead to the rapid expansion of such research, particularly at the university level.

But the results of a survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education, published July 21, found that only 6 percent of major research universities — those with $100 million or more in federal grants — planned to increase research on human embryonic stem cells “by a large amount.”

The survey also found that most of the universities said they had increased their contributions to the indirect costs of scientific research on campus by 50 percent or more over the past five years.

A federal policy established in 1991 limits the indirect costs that a university may collect on each federal research grant for expenses like photocopying, accounting and electricity.

8 The Catholic News & Herald

New Orleans Catholic Charities visits OEO OEO, from page 1

OEO are part of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Since October 2007, Balser has been director of four Catholic Charities’ community centers in the New Orleans area: one center each in St. Bernard and St. Tammany parishes (counties) and two in Washington Parish.

What she wanted to learn were ways to provide long-term help, rather than just quick fixes.

“One of our biggest challenges is getting our clients to stay with us without giving them money,” Balser said.

So why would she come to western North Carolina to find ways to solve problems in southern Louisiana?

In 2007, Claudie Burchfield, OEO’s director, and Netta McFadden, OEO’s Far West Families First coordinator, went to Cleveland to receive the $25,000 Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Family Strengthening Award. The award honors people and programs working to improve the prospects of children and families living in tough neighborhoods.

A group from Catholic Charities offices nationwide then visited the OEO, but Balser was unable to go with them.

The following year, Burchfield spoke on parish social ministry at the Catholic Charities annual gathering in New Orleans. Balser still wanted to look for fresh approaches to the situation in New Orleans.

“I contacted Jane Stenson of Catholic Charities USA and asked what would be the best place for a site visit,” she said. “Jane said OEO, definitely.”

Washington Parish, a rural area in Louisiana, faces challenges similar to those in Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Swain, the four counties OEO serves.

Many residents of those counties don’t have advanced education and there are few industries to provide jobs.

Willing and able During Balser’s time at OEO, Burchfield and McFaddin introduced her to faith teams showed her how they work with other agencies and taught her about ABLE, OEO’s financial literacy program.

“I just love the term ABLE for the financial literacy program,” Balser said. “We’re just getting started with financial literacy.”

ABLE (Assets Building Longterm Equity) is one of OEO’s key programs.

When OEO began 10 years ago, it received grants from the Duke Endowment for ABLE. At that time, the assets were monetary: if a person living in the four counties could save $1,000, ABLE would match it with $2,000.

The person could use that money for education, to start or expand a business or toward buying a home.

If he withdrew the savings before

FROM THE COVER

July 31, 2009

“We decided to to concentrate on helping people be financially literate.”

— Claudie Burchfield, OEO director reaching the $1,000 level, he got back what he had saved but without any matching funds.

The program required that participants attend OEO’s financial literacy classes to learn such skills as budgeting, saving money and making a business plan.

“When the grant funding ended (five years ago),” Burchfield explained, “we said, ‘What is the most important part of this program? Do we want to seek additional funds? If not, what do we want to see saved.’ We decided to concentrate on helping people be financially literate.”

So, OEO created a financial literacy computer lab. The Bishop Begley Center is in a house adjacent to St. William Church; parishioners enclosed the porch for the lab. OEO used grants and private contributions to purchase desks, chairs and laptop computers.

Carol McAfee, who assists Burchfield, is available 20 hours a week to help people learn to use the computers to become financially literate. She shows people how to research better mortgage rates, check their credit ratings, make budgets, look at how they spend their money, clear up bad debts and so forth.

“Many in poverty look only to satisfying immediate needs,” McAfee said. “If they can actually see where their money goes — do the math on the computer — it makes it real.”

Personal approach For people who, perhaps for generations, have never seen any way to get beyond poverty, the current economic situation has only compounded the problem.

“We had a high unemployment rate before, but now it’s worse,” McAfee said.

She estimates the rate in the four counties at 11-12 percent.

“After NAFTA, factories closed and jobs went to other countries,” she said, referring to the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement.

OEO has found that many people who have little or no experience dealing with financial institutions and creditors are afraid to contact these entities because they don’t know what to say.

McAfee and Burchfield help them use the computer to prepare

File Photo by Joanita M. Nellenbach

Visitors check out the Office of Economic Opportunity’s financial literacy computer lab during its dedication in Murphy Sept. 7, 2007. a script of the questions they want to ask. They print it out so they can read it when talking on the phone to various institutions.

“Even the government is talking about the cycle of poverty,” McAfee said. “I think (the key to) breaking that cycle is through education.”

OEO partners with other community organizations in financial literacy fairs and offers classes on financial literacy. Local residents also visit OEO, and Burchfield offers individual help “on common-sense things such as how to keep accurate records.”

Presently, someone from one of Balser’s offices goes to various locations to meet with groups of people, but the more personal approach means people can get help when it’s most convenient for them.

“I just love how Claudie sits down with people one-on-one and goes over things with them,” Balser said.

Helping families McFaddin introduced Balser to Far West Families First faith teams, an ecumenical approach to serving families in need.

One such team consists of a Catholic, a Baptist and a Methodist, who are now working with their fourth family.

Balser also met representatives of the Department of Social Services (DSS), which refers people to Far West Families First.

DSS (Department of Social Services) refers families that meet state poverty guidelines and have indicated that they want to improve their lives through better education, housing or employment.

No money is offered. Instead, faith teams help families with such needs as finding reliable transportation, locating resources such as agencies that could help them with specific needs, and offering prayers and encouragement.

Balser also learned about the Far West Families First Kinship Program, which works with people, including grandparents and other family members, who are raising children not biologically their own.

“I hope I brought some things to them, too,” Balser said.

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

July 31, 2009

The Catholic News & Herald 9

from the cover

Vacations, pilgrimages draw people closer to God VACATION, from page 1

Tom and Heather Martin and their seven children are parishioners of St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

Heather Martin said she viewed the trip as an opportunity for her family to grow closer to the Lord.

“We went to Mass just about everywhere we went,” said Martin “We wanted to be there and pray and just soak it in.”

While in Rome, Martin’s son Patrick made his first Communion at St. Peter’s Basilica with Father Matthew Kauth, a priest from the Diocese of Charlotte, celebrating the Mass.

Father Kauth, who has been studying in Rome, baptized Patrick at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte seven years ago.

At the recommendation of Father Kauth, the Mass to celebrate Patrick’s first Communion took place on the tomb of St. Pius X, who is known for lowering the age requirement for the reception of Communion.

Patrick’s older siblings, Zachery, Daniel and Luke, assisted as altar servers during the Mass and their mother sang.

“The next day, we had arranged a papal audience through the diocese,” said Martin.

After the audience, the Martins watched as Pope Benedict made his way through the crowd in his popemobile.

Tom Martin handed their 11-monthold daughter, Sarah, to one of the pope’s attendants just before he passed by.

“The attendant held up Sarah and the pope put his hands on each side of her face and kissed her on the top of her head,” said Heather Martin.

“I think every Catholic should try

Courtesy photo from Heather Martin/Servizio Fotografico de L.O.R. 00120 Citta del Vaticano

Pope Benedict XVI kisses the head of Sarah Cecilia Martin following a general audience in St. Peter’s Square May 6. Sarah is the youngest daughter of Tom and Heather Martin, parishioners of St. Mark Church in Huntersville. and go to Italy,” she said of seeing the center of the Catholic Church in Rome.

“It makes you so proud to be a part of such a beautiful and holy church.”

But Catholics don’t have to cross the Atlantic to deepen their faith.

Tom and Heather Martin took one of their first family pilgrimages to the chapel of Our Lady of La Leche in

Sponsored by Catholic Social Services Elder Ministries

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Special Days of Reflection for Seniors Thursday, August 20 -- Sacred Heart Church, Brevard Presenter: Fr. Edward Sheridan, pastor of St. Eugene Topic: “Seasons of Our Life” 9:45 am – 3 pm (check-in 9:45 am – 10:15 am) Closing Mass at 2:15 pm Cost: $10 per person includes lunch Deadline for Registration: Tuesday, August 11

St. Augustine, Fla., three years after they were married.

“We asked our Blessed Mother to please bless us with children,” recalled Martin who at the time of the trip had been unable to get pregnant.

The idea of using vacation as a time to grow in faith is something that the Martins have tried to instill in their children by taking family pilgrimages to nearby locations such as the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville.

“It is good to get away,” said Martin, “but it is so much more important to grow closer to God.” Contact Staff Writer Katie Moore by calling (704) 370-3354, or e-mail kmmoore@charlottediocese.org.

Upcoming Fall

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Thursday, August 27 -- St. William Catholic Church, Murphy Presenter: Msgr. Mo West, Vicar General and Chancellor Topic: “Facing the Giants in My Life” 10 am – 3 pm (check-in 10 am – 10:30 am) Closing Mass at 2:15 pm Cost: $10 per person includes lunch Deadline for Registration: Tuesday, August 18 Register as a group or individually by sending your check (payable to Catholic Social Services) and your parish name to: Sandra Breakfield, CSS Elder Ministry, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte NC 28203-4003

For more information call Sandra at 704-370-3220 or Sherill at 704-370-3228.

Cost: $13 includes lunch. Register a

July 31, 2009

10 The Catholic News & Herald

Culture Watch

A roundup of Scripture, readings, films and more

Portraits of biblical women, saints provide faith lessons for today reviewed by ALLAN F. WRIGHT catholic news service

T.J. Wray combines biblical scholarship with practicality as she opens the door to shed light on 12 women of prominence in the Old Testament in her book, “Good Girls, Bad Girls.”

She mentions in the introduction the scarcity of information that has been available to laypeople and scholars alike concerning how women lived in the Old Testament era.

However, she says that during recent decades, “extrabiblical sources, both written and archaeological, have helped us begin to understand more about the lives of women during the first millennium.”

She continues, “Although the portrait of women’s lives during biblical antiquity remains an incomplete canvas, there are some aspects of their daily lives that we can sketch with reasonable clarity.”

It is with these insights that she lays out the biblical text and draws out what she considers essential to the stories in the Bible where women are mentioned.

Specifically, “What is the author trying to teach me about God, myself and others.”

Wray helps complete the canvas and what is revealed are real women who faced trials, temptations and triumphs and struggled just as we do with their relationship with God and what God’s will is in their lives.

Wray does a very good job of putting flesh on these women who are often named, not in relation to men as wives or daughters, but as strong women who can stand on their own two feet.

In commenting on the story of Rebekah found in Genesis, she brings the decision and dilemma of Rebekah close to us by stating, “In the Bible — and usually in life — following God’s will is, more often that not, difficult and challenging.”

Each chapter is clear, concise, focused and ends with sensible questions for reflection that draw us close to these women and ultimately close to God, which is a major strength of this book.

Gina Loehr, in her book, “Real

WORD TO LIFE

Sunday Scripture Readings: AUG. 9, 2009

Aug. 9, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Cycle B Readings: 1) 1 Kings 19:4-8 Psalm 34:2-9 2) Ephesians 4:30-5:2 Gospel: John 6:41-51

Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist Women, Real Saints,” offers brief spiritual portraits of 102 Catholic women who have been declared venerable, blessed or saints.

Loehr’s ability to tell the story of each woman of faith in a concise manner while presenting the diversity of temperaments, occupations, challenges, education and backgrounds of these Catholic women is admirable.

From the illiterate doctor of the church, St. Catherine of Siena, to the scholarly St. Edith Stein, what brings them together and unites all these women is their belief and fidelity to God. “Real Women, Real Saints” reveals the quality of faith and love of these women who often lived their Catholic faith in the midst of opposition and ridicule.

Loehr states in her introduction, “Every story in this book tells of a relationship between the Savior of the universe and a woman who loved him enough to live in harmony with his will.”

The short vignettes offer insight into the life of faith and expose some lesser known saints although the book fails to provide the reader with any reflection or meditation for their own faith lives.

While the stories whet the appetite, the reader is left feeling that there was more to be written that could have provided some direction for spiritual enrichment and thus have made a good book more valuable.

Wright is the author of “Jesus in the House: Gospel Reflections on Christ’s Presence in the Home” and “Silent Witnesses in the Gospels: Bible Bystanders and Their Stories.”

by JEFF HEDGLEN catholic news service

The miraculous gift of the Eucharist is for many people a hard thing to believe.

Taken at face value it is a round, tasteless wafer. Our Catholic theology says it is the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So how does one go from seeing a wafer to experiencing Jesus?

For me, three instances stand out as helping my belief in the Eucharist grow.

The first was when I was in my 20s. I happened to sit next to the same young woman a few weeks in a row, and I noticed that while she prayed after Communion, she quietly wept.

One time I asked her if she was all right.

She said, “Yes, I just feel Jesus cleansing me of my sins.”

I was in awe of her experience and deeply wanted to have such a profound connection with the Eucharist.

The second instance was through

a book by Mother Teresa in which she explained that her sisters always start the day with Mass because they could not do the work they were called to without receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.

This spiritual exercise was vital to their work.

Upon reading this I was humbled.

Here was a group of women who could not begin the day without Jesus in the Eucharist, and at that time in my life if I missed Mass my only thought was guilt.

A sense of missing the Eucharist never crossed my mind.

Last, a young woman who had graduated from our youth ministry program wrote me a letter while she was on a discernment year for her religious vocation.

She signed the letter: “I’ll see you in the Eucharist.”

Again I was floored. I had never considered the unifying power of the sacrament in this way; we are all one in Jesus.

Difficulty understanding the miracle of the Eucharist is not new. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus confronts people who have a hard time believing he is the bread of life.

I heard once that to surrender is to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. I think this is what Jesus means when he tells the crowd to stop murmuring and believe.

Questions: Have you had difficulty believing that the body and blood is Jesus?

Who or what has helped your belief in the Eucharist to grow?

Have you ever had a profound experience after going to Communion?

Scripture to be Illustrated: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:48).

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE Scripture for the week of August 2-8 Sunday (Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15, Ephesians 4:17, 2024, John 6:24-35; Monday, Numbers 11:4-15, Matthew 14:13-21; Tuesday (St. John Mary Vianney), Numbers 12:1-13, Matthew 14:22-36; Wednesday (Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome), Numbers 13:1-2, 25--14:1, 26-29, 34-35, Matthew 15:21-28; Thursday (Transfiguration of the Lord), Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, 2 Peter 1:16-19, Mark 9:2-10; Friday (St. Sixtus II and Companions St. Cajetan), Deuteronomy 4:32-40, Matthew 16:24-28; Saturday (St. Dominic), Deuteronomy 6:4-13, Matthew 17:14-20.

Scripture for the week of August 9-15 Sunday (Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time), 1 Kings 19:4-8, Ephesians 4:30--5:2 John 6:41-51; Monday (St. Lawrence), 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, John 12:24-26; Tuesday (St. Clare), Deuteronomy 31:1-8, Deuteronomy 32:3-4, 7-9, 12, Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14; Wednesday (St. Jane Frances de Chantal), Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Matthew 18:15-20; Thursday (St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus), Joshua 3:7-11, 13-17, Matthew 18:21--19:1; Friday (St. Maximilian Kolbe), Joshua 24:1-13, Matthew 19:3-12; Saturday (Assumption of the Virgin Mary), Revelation 11:19, 12:1-6, 10, 1 Corinthians 15:20-27, Luke 1:39-56.

Scripture for the week of August 16-22 Sunday (Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Proverbs 9:1-6, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:5158; Monday, Judges 2:11-19, Matthew 19:16-22; Tuesday, Judges 6:11-24, Matthew 19:23-30; Wednesday (St. John Eudes), Judges 9:6-15, Matthew 20:1-16; Thursday (St. Bernard), Judges 11:29-39, Matthew 22:1-14; Friday (St. Pius X), Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22, Matthew 22:34-40; Saturday (The Queenship of Mary), Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17, Matthew 23:1-12.

The Catholic News & Herald 11

July 31, 2009

Heard but not seen

Catholic voice actor leads an animated life

by MARK PATTISON catholic news service

WASHINGTON — Jim Cummings didn’t exactly study his chosen career field during his 12 years of Catholic schooling, but he certainly honed his craft.

The thrice-Emmy-nominated voice actor was a relentless mimic when going to Immaculate Conception and St. Columba grade schools and Ursuline High School, all in Youngstown, Ohio.

“I’d be doing dolphin sounds in the background,” Cummings recalled during a July 22 telephone interview from Los Angeles with Catholic News Service.

Cummings then proceeded to do some dolphin clicks and chatter straight out of the old “Flipper” TV series.

“Sister Mary Agnes would say, ‘We don’t allow dolphin sounds in the classroom, Mr. Cummings,’” he said.

Cummings, a member of St. Jude Church in Los Angeles, got reprimanded over the course of his scholastic career for his mimicry. But he doesn’t hold it against his teachers or principals. The feeling is apparently mutual.

“I have a scholarship at my old school in my dad’s name, so they don’t seem to mind me anymore,” Cummings said.

It wasn’t all trips to the principal’s office for Cummings. He also parlayed his talents into championships for Ursuline during state and regional speech and oratory contests.

Cummings has been plying his trade for 20 years in Hollywood. He has been involved in more than 300 different animation projects, performing multiple voices on many of the shows, according to the Internet Movie Database.

He’s up for a Daytime Emmy for outstanding performer in an animated program for his work on the series “My Friends Tigger & Pooh” — although he’s up against bigger names such as Amy Poehler and Vanessa Williams.

You probably wouldn’t know him if you saw him. Because he has been a voice actor, his face has rarely been on screen.

“I’m a stealth celebrity,” he joked.

Cummings created the voice of title character Darkwing Duck, a popular Disney cartoon series of the 1990s.

He also has moved into more hallowed territory, taking on the voice of Taz, the Tasmanian Devil originally voiced by cartoondom’s original man of a thousand voices, Mel Blanc, and also the voices of Tigger and Winnie the Pooh, the latter’s voice originally done by actor Sterling Holloway.

It’s a challenge to stay true to the voice created by another actor a generation or two earlier, Cummings admitted. One AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICE

704-449-4279

ON THE WAGON Charlotte Airport: $35 TOTAL, depending on distance Parishioner, St. James The Greater

CNS photo courtesy of Arizona State University via Reuters

Former CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite poses with a pipe in this undated photograph. Cronkite, whose authoritative delivery of the news during turbulent times made him “the most trusted man in America,” died at his New York home July 17. He was 92.

CNS Photo/handout

Catholic voice actor Jim Cummings is pictured in an undated publicity photo. Cummings is up for a Daytime Emmy for outstanding performer in an animated program for his work on the series “My Friends Tigger & Pooh.” of his biggest challenges was to record practically every conceivable child’s name for a talking Winnie the Pooh toy.

“Esquire magazine gave it a prize for ‘most interesting name’: My Interactive Pooh,” Cummings told CNS. One of Cumming’s upcoming projects will hit the silver screen later this year. It’s a new Disney movie called “The Princess and the Frog,” in which Cummings plays a frog with a Cajun accent named Ray. The project — which also features the voice talents of Oprah Winfrey, John Goodman and Terrence Howard — will be Disney’s first cartoon movie to feature African-American lead characters.

“It’s a steady gig,” Cummings noted, and if he has any regret, it’s for being too sick to audition 20 years ago when a new cartoon series called “The Simpsons” was auditioning actors who could do multiple voices.

“Other than that one, I’m a happy camper. I don’t look back in frustration and anger,” he said. “I hope for the best, expect the worst, and take what comes.”

Cummings’ TV debut came much earlier than his resume would suggest.

“I was in sixth grade and I remember that Mother Rosemary — who was going to be my speech teacher (in high school) and sort of one of the great shining lights of our scholastic career — she had written and directed a play that they had put on television,” he said.

“It was called ‘The Catholic School Story.’ It was in black and white and I didn’t know what to do with myself, I was so happy,” he said.

Another Ursuline grad also performed in the TV special and went on to bigger and better things: Ed O’Neill, who, even after it’s been off the air for a dozen years, is probably still best known for playing put-upon dad Al Bundy in the TV sitcom “Married With Children.”

“I keep meaning whenever I run into him to say I suspect we made our TV debut together. He was a senior in high school,” Cummings said. “Ed played Father O’Neill and I played the cute little kid.”

Cronkite recalled as trusted newsman who made public ‘feel the news’

of Catholic broadcasters and allied communicators.

He received an honorary degree from the University of Notre Dame in WASHINGTON — TV news anchor Indiana in 1982 as part of the dedication and journalism icon Walter Cronkite, of a new chemistry research facility. He who died July 17 at age 92, made the also received Peabody awards in 1962 public “feel the news,” said the founding and 1981 and multiple Emmy awards director of the Pauline Center for Media over the years.

Studies in Culver City, Calif.

In 1977 the Catholic League for “My first memory of Walter Cronkite Religious and Civil Rights gave the was seeing him bow his head, visibly newsman its Earl Butz Bigotry in Media moved, when he announced the death of Award for what it said was his biased and President John F. Kennedy,” said Sister inaccurate coverage of a congressional Rose Pacatte, a member of the Daughters debate over funding for Medicaid of St. Paul, who has experience in abortions. various media such as television and The league’s associate executive radio producing. director at the time, Michael Schwartz, “The timbre of his voice and his accused Cronkite of implying the kind countenance made him welcome in country’s Catholic bishops had violated every living room in America then and the provisions of church-state separation for years after. ... If Edward R. Murrow by objecting to the funding, according to could be called the brains of the news, a news story in the CNS archives. then Cronkite was its heart. He made us Cronkite also missed the point of feel the news; it was personal; the news the debate, Schwartz said, which was mattered,” she said. whether Catholics opposed to abortion Best known for his news coverage on would be required to help fund abortions the “CBS Evening News,” Cronkite was for Medicare patients. known to many as “the most trusted man Through his work and his career, in America.”

Cronkite earned admiration from many He died in his New York home, and fellow journalists, media professionals his chief of staff, Marlene Adler, told The and viewers alike.

Associated Press the cause of his death The president of the National was cerebrovascular disease.

Catholic Association of Communicators A private funeral was held July 23 at the University of Dayton in Ohio, at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church Sister Angela Ann Zukowski, said she in New York. A larger memorial was analyzed other journalists’ work by using expected to take place at Lincoln Center Cronkite’s report as a ruler. within a month.

“I really believe that Walter Cronkite Cronkite served as anchorman for is one of the stellar icons of quality the “CBS Evening News” from 1962 to journalism in the United States. He was 1981, covering many memorable events an authentic journalist; he was someone including the resignation of President who I think personally did his homework Richard M. Nixon, man’s first steps on to present the truth, looking at it from the moon, the Vietnam War, and the many different perspectives,” Sister assassination of Kennedy, America’s first said. most of Charlotte Catholic president.

Charlotte Airport: $35 TOTAL (NOT perZukowski person) from “The way he conducted himself as Many say they remember him for his Outerhandling areas, other cities, etc.: rates areanegotiable – CALLforfordeep quote! journalist called professional sensitive of these events. respect and admiration,” added the nun, He received numerous awards and who is a member of the Mission Helpers honors throughout his life. In 1980 704-449-4279 of the Sacred Heart. he was recognized for excellence in Ric Starnes – parishioner, St. James The Greater According to AP, Cronkite was to be broadcasting with the Gabriel Award for OnhisThe Wag buried in Kansas City, Mo., next to personal achievement from what is now wife, who died in 2005. His is survived the Catholic Academy of Communication by his three children.

Arts Professionals, a national association

by JESSIE ABRAMS catholic news service

On The

12 The Catholic News & Herald

July 31, 2009

around the diocese

Teaching teachers

Benedictine Father Raymond Geyer: 1922 — 2009 Monk served more than 60 years in all apostolates of Belmont Abbey

Courtesy Photo by Dr. Cris Villapando

Jeanine Marsilia, director of religious education at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville, demonstrates a visual teaching technique on forgiveness to youth and adult catechists at St. John Lee Korean Church in Charlotte July 14. Nearly 30 people attended the workshop entitled “Called to be a Catechist.”

Courtesy Photo by Dr. Cris Villapando

Shannon Cutler, director of religious education at St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte, discusses Edgar Dale’s “cone of learning” theory at St. John Lee Korean Church in Charlotte July 21 to catechists from St. John Lee Korean Church, Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte and St. Philip Neri Church in Rock Hill, S.C. The cone is a visual device meant to summarize the classification system for the varied types of mediated learning experiences, as developed by the U.S. educationalist.

The “Skills and Theory” workshop also included techniques to create lesson plans, methods of prayer and the developmental psychology of the learner.

Authoring hope

BELMONT — Benedictine Father Raymond Geyer, a monk and priest of Belmont Abbey for more than 60 years, died peacefully July 26.

A Mass of Christian burial was held July 29 at the Abbey basilica, followed by interment in the Abbey cemetery.

Father Geyer was born Sept. 22, 1922, in Lancaster, N.Y. He attended St. Mary’s elementary school and high school in Lancaster, then enrolled in Belmont Abbey Junior College where he earned his associate’s degree in 1942.

He subsequently completed his bachelor ’s degree in sociology at St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kan., and earned his master’s in education from Canisius College in 1949.

Father Geyer entered the novitiate for Belmont Abbey at St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pa., and made his first profession of vows July 2, 1943.

He was solemnly professed on July 11, 1946, and ordained a priest at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Buffalo, N.Y., July 4, 1949.

Father Geyer served in all the apostolates of Belmont Abbey.

He taught in the prep school from 1945 to 1947, was organist and choirmaster in the monastery from 1945 to 1949 and served as chaplain of St. Leo’s School in Belmont from 1949 to 1950.

He later served as director of admission to Belmont Abbey College from 1970 to 1977.

In addition, Father Geyer was assigned to Sacred Heart Priory in Savannah, Ga., where he taught at Benedictine Military School from 1950 to 1959.

He was assigned to St. Benedict’s Priory in Richmond, Va., from 1959 to 1970, and again from 1977 to 1983, where he also taught at Benedictine High School.

Father Geyer served as principal at the high school from 1959 to 1962, and as prior of the monastic community there from 1977 to 1983.

His final pastoral assignment was as pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Gastonia from 1983 to 1989.

After his return to Belmont Abbey, Father Geyer remained active in

Benedictine Father Raymond Geyer

community life as director of Oblates for 20 years, and he was in charge of the abbey cemetery.

Father Geyer is survived by his brother, Benedictine Father Kenneth Geyer; by the monks of Belmont Abbey; and by a sister-in-law in New York.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert, and his sister, Sister Marie Canice Geyer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Belmont Abbey College or St. Michael the Archangel Church.

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Marylyn Armstrong, head of the parish book club at St. Luke Church in Mint Hill, stands with author Kay Bratt, who recently spoke to the group about her book “Silent Tears: A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage,” which details her experiences in China where she volunteered at a children’s orphanage.

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14 The Catholic News & Herald

Perspectives

A collection of columns, editorials and viewpoints

Considering ‘the alternative’

If you really believe in Christ’s resurrection, death is behind you I have a friend who typically conveys news of someone’s death by remarking that the deceased person “has joined the majority.” Another friend likes to say “he rolled a seven” when reporting that someone we both knew has died.

Deaths of celebrities like Michael Jackson, Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett within days of each other can have the effect of forcing people to face up to the inevitability of their own deaths.

I spoke to a woman recently who was well on the road to recovery after a serious illness, and she said, “I’m doing just fine now, considering the alternative.”

“But did you ever really consider the alternative?” I asked.

She smiled and said, “I guess I should.”

So should we all.

“What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him, this God has revealed to us through the Spirit” (1 Cor 2:9-10).

That’s God speaking to each one of us. But we refuse to listen in faith. We refuse to permit ourselves positively and hopefully to “consider the alternative.”

In an interesting new book “Life, Death, and Christian Hope,” Daneen Georgy Warner reflects on the meaning of hope in the context of death.

She points out that because they fail to see their own death in the light of Christ’s death and resurrection, many Christians “place their faith and hope in medicine” and thus “harbor a false sense of security concerning their mortality.”

If you really believe in the resurrection of Christ, death is behind you.

“Death’s not what you’re moving toward,” as liturgy pioneer Father Clarence Rivers said years ago, “but what you’re coming from!”

The challenge for us, as Warner explains, is to face up to our cultural bias against accepting the fact that death is an inevitable part of life by “shifting our hope in human powers to hope in God.”

Looking Around JESUIT FATHER WILLIAM J. BYRON cns columnist

Have the courage now to think out loud once in awhile about what it will be like when you “join the majority.”

That’s another way of saying “consider the alternative.”

A hymn that is part of night prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours (the Divine Office or Roman Breviary as it is sometimes called) says it nicely, “We praise you, Father, for your gifts/ Of dusk and nightfall over earth,/ Foreshadowing the mystery/ Of death that leads to endless day.”

You are going to experience “endless day” once you “join the majority.” You are going to be eternally awake and eternally aware.

The English word “enthusiasm” comes from two Greek words — “en theos” — meaning “in God.” That will be your experience. So you might start thinking now of what eternal enthusiasm will be like for you.

And think of the generations who have gone on before. You will meet them all. You will know the saints to whom you prayed, the historical figures you admired and millions of others whom you never knew existed, and you will be reunited with those you loved the most when they shared space and life with you on this earth.

They will all be part of your eternal awareness. As will the mysteries of faith and the “mysteries” of things like calculus and chemistry that you never managed to translate from textbook print to mental assimilation.

So go ahead now and let yourself say, “I can hardly wait!”

Story helps connect human family I wish to extend my humble appreciation and goodwill to the huge contribution made by Clare Liptak to the communities in Tanzania (“Parishioner collects sewing machines for poor in Africa,” July 17).

The collection and supply of various items to families and communities in other parts of the world goes a long way to refocus our minds on the usefulness of faith, the value of brotherhood and the

Letter to the Editor positive values of every corner of God’s creation — especially Africa.

This is also evidence that members of the Catholic Church possess the gifts

Strong words from a gentle pope

Recent encyclical packed with information on spirituality, theology, economics, politics, ecology and more It’s powerful, it’s wise, it’s challenging, it’s ancient and yet modern: It’s Pope Benedict XVI’s new encyclical letter “Charity in Truth” (“Caritas in Veritate”).

Building on over 100 years of Catholic social teaching with a special concentration on Pope Paul VI’s encyclical “The Development of Peoples” (“Populorum Progressio”), Pope Benedict takes his predecessor’s groundbreaking teaching on international development — with its emphasis on economic justice for all as the basis for peace — and applies it to the economic crisis currently facing the whole world.

Among the contemporary issues the pope focuses on are globalization, microfinancing, intellectual property rights, embryonic research, technology and the environment. And among the old critical issues he concentrates on are poverty, hunger, abortion and violence.

To both new and old areas of concern, the Holy Father applies the always relevant, ancient teaching of the church: that “love is God’s greatest gift to humanity, it is his promise and our hope.”

Love (or charity) guided by truth teaches us to care for the needs of our human family, especially the vulnerable and poor.

In the truth of God’s loving plan, human beings must always come before everything else, including profit. Profit is useful if is a means toward a good end.

However, “once profit becomes the exclusive goal, if it is produced by improper means and without the common good as its ultimate end, it risks destroying wealth and creating poverty,” wrote the pope.

And that is primarily what caused our current economic crisis. Wealth was destroyed, and most of all, poverty was created as a result of a lust for profit that put the accumulation of money and other assets above the good of all.

As a result of this greed, well over 100 million additional people are now hungry. According to a recent U.N. report, for the first time in history more than 1 billion fellow human beings are now starving or undernourished!

Making a Difference TONY MAGLIANO cns columnist

This unjust distribution of wealth is totally unacceptable to the Holy Father — and should be totally unacceptable to us as well.

Like Pope Paul, Pope Benedict calls for the need to create “a model of market economy capable of including within its range all peoples and not just the better off.”

He also continues Pope John Paul II’s teaching of promoting a culture of life that recognizes and respects the interconnectedness of all human life from conception to natural death, including all of creation.

The Holy Father urges us to look at our planet as a living being. And he warns that if we continue destroying our environment, we will end up destroying our own life source.

The pope is calling us to better understand and act on the whole of Catholic social teaching. It is not enough to only work for the protection of the unborn, or to promote nonviolence and peace, or to strive to end poverty and hunger, or to respect the integrity of creation.

Faithful Catholics are called to do all of the above to the best of our ability!

This encyclical letter is packed with information on spirituality, theology, economics, politics, ecology and more.

It is impossible to cover it adequately in one sitting or one column.

Hopefully it will be the ongoing subject of college courses, clergy inservice days, numerous homilies, social justice committee gatherings, corporate board meetings, congressional debates and family conversations.

To do justice to this outstanding encyclical we need to study, pray with and consider how best to act on the teachings of “Charity in Truth.”

Write a Letter to the Editor and courage to deliver consolation at various levels and scale, simultaneously creating mutual benefits.

The issues highlighted in the story extend our horizons to the connections and networks that link the human family across the world. A simple model of interaction underscores this effort while enhancing our understanding of realtime experiences far away from familiar sights and sounds.

— Onyewuchi Obirieze Charlotte

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.

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.

July 31, 2009

The Catholic News & Herald 15

When ‘happily ever after’ doesn’t happen I am sadly rereading a commentary in a July 2007 issue of America magazine titled “A Great Mystery.” It is about a misunderstood procedure in the Catholic Church: the annulment process.

I refer to it when people come to me with related questions.

The commentary cites the very public marriage case involving Joseph P. Kennedy, son of the late Robert Kennedy, and his first wife, Sheila Rauch Kennedy.

Parents of two children, they were granted an annulment of their 12-year marriage in 1993.

Sheila, writes America, “mounted a campaign to reverse the annulment, publishing a book (“Shattered Faith”) strongly criticizing the annulment process, claiming that Kennedy had used his family’s influence to obtain the decree.

“The Vatican apparently reversed its decision in 2005, but Rauch was not notified until May of this year, after the document had been translated from Latin.” Then America commented, “For too many Catholics the process (of annulments) remains a great mystery.”

This is true, unfortunately, but not because the church is keeping the annulment process secret. Not at all.

I have worked with separated and divorced Catholics since the early 1970s, and so many terrific priests worked with us to clarify the church’s position on annulments. Today most dioceses have a marriage tribunal, staffed with psycholo-

gists, therapists and often volunteer advocates who assist divorced Catholics seeking remarriage in the church.

“We are here to help,” not place blame, is all I’ve ever heard from these workers.

The real area where the search for truth is crucial in the Catholic marriage situation rests in the four words “whoever God joins together.” That phrase used to be interpreted legalistically, not realistically.

For decades now, the definition of Christian marriage hasn’t been the old cut-and-dry equation that consent, plus consummation, equals Christian marriage. Scientific progress has been made in understanding the psychology and emotional makeup of people. It can determine if and when a person is capable of entering into a Christian marriage.

One has to have a spiritual base, a faith commitment to the Lord for a marriage to take place. God cannot join two people in matrimony if either of them does not believe in God or his Son. Once the church began looking at Christian marriage with this new vision that focused on the living, growing relationship of two people and the legal contract, a “broken marriage” could be re-examined, and the church no longer shunted these aside as “hopeless” situations.

With compassion and wisdom the church now asks: Were these two people capable of making vows requiring

Proclaiming the Word

If lectors read Scripture verses with love, maybe their hearers would love them too “If you have something to say, say it clearly.” That is what Sister Gabriel, my eighth-grade teacher, told us when we were learning public speaking.

Enunciate clearly. Speak slowly.

Speak up. Project your voice to the back of the room. Make sense out of what you are reading. Go over it ahead of time.

All of sister’s admonitions apply to lectors who read the Scripture at Mass.

After the Second Vatican Council the church created two ministries for lay people: those of lectors and acolytes.

There actually is a ritual to institute and commission lectors to read Scriptures for liturgies. It is important work.

For most of Christianity’s history, average people could not read or write.

The printing of books in volume came some 500 years ago. Before then books were expensive and rare. Many people came to know the “good news” of Jesus Christ only when they heard it read aloud in church. This is still true today in many lives.

That is why people should take the ministry of lector seriously.

When St. Paul wrote to his spiritual son Timothy, he reminded him that all Scripture is useful for “teaching.” He said to Timothy, “So proclaim the Word.”

Paul said proclaim it! Don’t

mumble it!

A good lector can make Scripture come alive. He or she can help people to hear familiar passages with new ears.

Too many lectors read Scripture as if they are bored or have never seen the passages before. Or they read so timidly that they cannot be heard.

If Sister Gabriel were to sit on every lector’s shoulder, she would remind each of a few commonsense things.

— First, speak up!

Speak directly into the microphone.

Don’t get so close that you pop your p’s.

But don’t stand back so far that the mike can’t pick up your voice. It does no good to read if no one can hear.

If you don’t know how to work the microphone, learn. Remember, this is not a conversation; it is a proclamation.

Speaking more softly does not make you more sincere.

— Second, speak slowly.

When you are speaking, your voice reverberates in large space. If you think you are talking too slowly, it is probably about right for the person in the pew.

— Third, read the passage ahead of time.

Know the context of the passage, what it is trying to say, so you can know what voice to adopt.

The Bottom Line ANTOINETTE BOSCO cns columnist

maturity, or at least the potential for maturing? Was this ever a Christian marriage in the first place?

A “no” response to any of these questions indicated that a Christian marriage never truly existed, freeing the Catholics involved to move past their pain and start afresh.

My longtime friend Father John Catoir, former director of the Christophers and head of a diocesan marriage tribunal, has long expressed a pastoral concern for “the dilemma” of divorced Catholics.

“We are dealing with mystery,” he once wrote, explaining that “the sacrament is not something that comes into existence by virtue of a legal presumption.”

I agree with him, and with the America commentary that said: “The annulment process is necessarily a private one, dealing in the intimate details of a couple’s life together, so it is difficult to assess how these decisions are arrived at in particular cases.

“Nonetheless, it seems clear that the church needs to do a better job explaining how annulments are obtained. For too many Catholics, the process remains a great mystery.”

Parish Diary FATHER PETER DALY cns columnist

Unfortunately, it is common to hear Scripture proclaimed as if the lector had never seen it before.

— Fourth, enunciate clearly.

Pronounce unfamiliar words with confidence. If you don’t know how to say certain words probably no one else in the church knows either. So look up unfamiliar words ahead of time.

— Fifth, don’t dramatize, but don’t read in a monotone either.

Scripture is alive! It is a two-edged sword that pierces to the heart. It should not be read as if it were the Black & Decker parts catalogue.

Finally, pray what you read. These are the words of life.

When Pope Paul VI instituted the ministry of lectors, he said the reader should “make every effort ... to acquire the increasingly warm and living love and knowledge of the Scripture that will make him a more perfect disciple.”

Therefore he is to “meditate assiduously on the sacred Scripture.”

If lectors could read Scripture verses as if they love them, then maybe their hearers would love them too.

The anatomy of racism The Human Side FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK cns columnist

“He is doing a number of right things, but I still wonder about a black leading this country.”

When I heard this from a fairly educated person, I thought to myself, “Racism still persists despite the enormous strides made to overcome it and despite how much schooling a person may have had.”

Racism takes many forms. It involves envisioning all people who speak with a strong Southern accent as lynching-mob members of the Ku Klux Klan.

It is seeing Muslims as terrorists, or hearing Koreans, Vietnamese or Japanese speak their language and still considering them enemies of the United States.

It is encountering a black youth walking down the street and feeling the need to take precaution, or watching Jewish boys wearing black fedoras and wondering whether the Jews are behind our economic woes.

It is being irked when hearing Latinos/as speak Spanish even though they can speak English.

Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall once remarked, “The United States has been called the melting pot of the world. But it seems to me that the colored man either missed getting into the pot or he got melted down.”

A form of racism seldom addressed is the melting pot mentality that holds that everyone else must “melt” into “my” culture.

What is behind such attitudes and feelings?

U.S. civil rights activist Bayard Rustin once wrote: “The resort to stereotype is the first refuge and chief strategy of the bigot.”

To be a bigot is to be intolerant. In Latin the word “tolerant” means to lift up. On the other hand, intolerance means to put down.

Ironically, the basis of racism is a sense of inferiority in a person brought up in an atmosphere intolerant of other cultures. Or perhaps this person has never tried or desired to eradicate his or her ignorance regarding other races.

Racists tend to be little people living in a narrow world. They resort to belittling others as a means of being above them and preserving their provincialism.

Racism has been and will always be among us. The next time we detect it, it would be wise to dissect it in order to learn its anatomy.

Studying the makeup of a disease is the best way to stop it.

July 31, 2009

The Catholic News & Herald 16

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