Aug. 22, 2008

August 22, 2008

The Catholic News & Herald 1

www.charlottediocese.org

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Perspectives Contemplating God’s time; ‘Humanae Vitae’; prayer for Eucharistic Congress

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI August 22, 2008

‘Still Sowing the Seeds of Faith’

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

vOLUME 17

no. 36

For eternal rest in the garden Bishop Jugis blesses new Catholic section of Matthews cemetery

Section is first of its kind in diocese by

KATIE MOORE staff writer

Photo by Barbara Gaddy

Father Edward Sheridan, a retired priest of the Diocese of Charlotte, speaks with Bill Borst and Carl Larson outside a chapel on Father Sheridan’s proper ty in Hickory June 24. The photo appears on the poster for the diocesan Priests’ Retirement & Benefits Collection, this year themed “Still Sowing the Seeds of Faith.” The collection will be taken up in churches Sept. 6-7.

For more information, see page 5.

Photo by Katie Moore

Bishop Peter J. Jugis blesses The Garden of St. Matthew, a newly designed and developed Catholic section at Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Matthews Aug. 12. It is the only exclusively Catholic section located at an independently-run cemetery in the Charlotte area.

MATTHEWS —Bishop Peter J. Jugis; Msgr. John McSweeney, pastor of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte; and several priests from the Diocese of Charlotte gathered for the blessing of an exclusively Catholic section at an independently-owned cemetery in Matthews Aug. 12.

Located on the grounds of Forest Lawn East Cemetery, the section called The Garden of St. Matthew is the result of a collaborative effort between the cemetery and St. Matthew Church.

The first of its kind, The Garden of St. Matthew is unique See GARDEN, page 6

That time of year again Building Thousands of students return to Catholic schools across Diocese of Charlotte Upgrades made to facilities, programs by

KEVIN E. MURRAY editor

Photo by Kevin E. Murray

Students of Holy Trinity Middle School in Charlotte board a Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools bus outside of St. Patrick School in Charlotte Aug. 20, their first day of classes.

CHARLOTTE — Across the Diocese of Charlotte, students are once again rising early to head out the door to school.

Thousands of students began classes at the 18 Catholic schools across the 46-county

on faith

Five Greensboro churches build Habitat for Humanity house

diocese this month.

Because of the diocese’s commitment to a continuous quality of education, many enhancements have been made at and to the schools in the diocese in preparation of the new school year.

A wireless Internet system is up and running at St. Patrick

GREENSBORO — Parishioners from five Greensboro Catholic churches have joined forces to build a Habitat for Humanity house.

See SCHOOL, page 7

See HOUSE, page 4

by

KATIE MOORE staff writer

Campus Catholicism

Culture Watch

United front

Ministry helps college students grow in faith

Book on ‘female pope’; Web site for Catholic parishes

Pro-lifers take stand outside abortion clinic

| Pages 8-9

| Pages 10-11

| Page 13

August 22, 2008

2 The Catholic News & Herald

InBrief

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

Catholics encouraged to pray novena in weeks leading up to election WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops are encouraging Catholics to pray a novena for life, justice and peace before the November election.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has made available for download from the Internet a podcast of a “Novena for Faithful Citizenship” at www.faithfulcitizenship.org/resources/ podcasts. It will be available until the Nov. 4 election.

The special novena is part of “the bishops’ campaign to help Catholics develop well-formed consciences for addressing political and social questions,” said Joan Rosenhauer, associate director of the USCCB’s Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.

The bishops adopted the document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility” in November 2007.

The “Novena for Faithful Citizenship” runs for nine days and can be used

Power priest

Diocesan planner CNS photo courtesy Father Callahan

Atonement Father Dan Callahan, associate pastor at St. Joan of Arc Church in Toronto, participates in the July 20 Ford Iron Man USA competition in Lake Placid, N.Y. Father Callahan, 57, is known as the “Iron Friar” for successfully completing twelve daylong triathlons since 1997.

‘Iron Friar’ who is triathlete evangelizes as he swims, bikes, runs RYE, N.Y. (CNS) — Atonement Father Dan Callahan evangelizes underwater. And on a bike. And while he’s running. All on the same day.

And he helps recovering alcoholics and substance abusers at the same time.

Father Callahan, 57, is known as the “Iron Friar” for successfully completing 12 daylong triathlons since 1997. Most recently, he finished the Ford Iron Man USA competition July 20 at Lake Placid in 14 hours and 43 minutes.

Three inches of rain fell while he swam 2.4 miles in Mirror Lake, biked 112 miles through the Adirondack Mountains and ran a 26.4-mile road marathon.

Father Callahan, associate pastor at St. Joan of Arc Church in Toronto, said his goal in competing is “always to finish, enjoy the pizza, be healthy and go to work the next day.”

Father Callahan uses the annual race at Lake Placid as an opportunity to evangelize and to raise funds for St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center in Saranac Lake, where he once served as a pastoral counselor and spiritual director.

St. Joseph’s is a facility run by his order, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. It provides residential alcoholism and substance abuse services to men and women.

“I talk to the residents two days before the race,” said Father Callahan.

“I use the race as a foil to talk about recovery. I know what a struggle they have in life, and I know what good people they are.

“I tell them that it’s a grueling race

for me, but it’s nothing compared to the race they’re in for their life. I get choked up every year. It’s very inspirational,” he said.

He also invites his friends and supporters of St. Joseph’s to sponsor his race. He has raised more than $100,000 for St. Joseph’s through the Iron Man competitions.

Father Callahan said that he is always invited to offer the opening prayer at the dinner on the Friday night before the Sunday race. At the dinner, “there are 2,400 racers there and their families and supporters. I always put in a plug for Mass,” he said.

He also is the main celebrant and homilist at the evening Mass at St. Agnes Church the Saturday before the race. It is the most crowded Mass of the year.

“At the end of Mass, the athletes are invited to the sanctuary for a blessing and I take my place with them. The congregation prays over us. Seeing the tears in the eyes of the athletes is a moving experience,” he said.

Racers and onlookers invariably approach Father Callahan during the actual competition.

“People thank me for the homily.

Some say that a point I made helped them through a tough spot on the course. It’s a real evangelizing opportunity. Some (participants) don’t have a spirituality beyond running,” he said.

Father Callahan said, “For each person, it’s a major accomplishment to become an Iron Man. It’s a marvelous analogy for life.”

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

CHARLOTTE VICARIATE CHARLOTTE — “Christ’s Presence in the Eucharist: A Eucharistic Spirituality for Today” will be held Aug. 26 at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., 1-3 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The two-hour faith formation and enrichment sessions are sponsored by “Why Catholic?” and presented by RENEW International. For more information, contact Michael Coyle at (704) 598-3049.

CHARLOTTE — “Social Teachings and Our Public Policies” will be presented by Social Service Sister Simone Campbell, national director of NETWORK, Sept. 6, 7 p.m. in the New Life Center Banquet Room of St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. This event is free and open to the public. Come enjoy a light meal and hear Sister Campbell discuss the complex issues that will affect the November election.

Voter registration will be conducted at all Sept. 6 and 7 Masses. For more information, contact Terri Jarina at (704) 243-4431 or tjarina@windstream.net.

CHARLOTTE — All adults are invited to attend the Christian Coffeehouse at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. Join us for energizing spiritual messages with live Christian

consecutively, one day each week, for nine days prior to the election, or “in any way that works best for a community or individual,” said Rosenhauer.

“Novena” comes from the Latin word “novem,” meaning nine, and the prayer form first appeared in the Middle Ages in France and Spain. A novena is usually held prior to a special feast or for a special intention.

The USCCB Web site suggests ways Catholics can pray the “Novena for Faithful Citizenship.”

Helen Osman, USCCB communications secretary, expressed hope the novena could help “Catholics enter into prayerful reflection as they prepare to vote.”

Osman said the USCCB wants to support Catholics as they weigh preelection issues and that “providing a prayer resource on the Web can help us focus on our common values and identity as Catholics.” contemporary music, snacks and drinks, all served in a candlelit atmosphere, Sept. 6, 7:309:30 p.m. in the parish center gym. There is no charge to attend this event. To reserve a table for 6 or more, call Kathy at (704) 400-2213

by Sept. 5.

CHARLOTTE — An Opus Dei recollection for men will be held at St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Rd. Sept. 5, 7-9 p.m. There will be opportunity for confession 6:30-7 p.m. Opus Dei is a personal prelature of the Catholic Church that helps people find God in their everyday lives. For more information, contact Joe Ignacio at (704)752-7155 or e-mail joremy.ignacio@gmail.com.

CHARLOTTE — An Opus Dei recollection for women will be held at St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Rd., Sept. 6, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Meditations will begin at 10 a.m. followed by Mass at 12 p.m. Confessions will be heard at 9–10 a.m., 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30–1 p.m. Opus Dei is a personal prelature of the Catholic Church that helps people find God in their everyday lives. For more information, contact Remy Ignacio at (704)752-7155 or e-mail joremy.ignacio@gmail.com.

CHARLOTTE — Theology on Tap, a dynamic speaker series designed to provide adults 18-40 with the opportunity to discover more about their faith in a relaxed open environment will take place at Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, 911 East Morehead St., Monday evenings during September.

Join us on Mondays, Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 6:30 p.m. We will explore important modern issues in today’s society. RSVP to jennifer. eues@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.stpeterscatholic.org/yam.

GREENSBORO VICARIATE GREENSBORO — The Men’s Early Morning Bible Study Group meets Tuesdays, 6:307:30 a.m. in the library at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Rd. The group will start a six-week program on St.

August 22, 2008 Volume 17 • Number 36

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.

August 22, 2008

The Catholic News & Herald 3

FROM THE VATICAN

Pope urges church to help overcome racism in modern society VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI warned that racism is alive in modern society, and he urged the church to help overcome all forms of racial intolerance.

He said racism today is often tied to economic and social problems. Although such problems may be real, they can never justify racial discrimination, he said Aug. 17.

While the pontiff did not mention specific countries, his words had an immediate echo in Italy, where a series of government actions against illegal immigrants have prompted strong debate inside and outside the church.

The pope, addressing pilgrims at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo outside Rome, began his remarks by quoting the prophet Isaiah about the “foreigners” who will be included in the Lord’s universal house of prayer.

Likewise, the pope said, the church

today is made up of people of every race and culture, and part of its mission is to help forge bonds of communion between races.

That task includes “helping civil society to overcome any possible temptation to racism, intolerance and exclusion,” he said. “One of humanity’s great achievements is, in fact, overcoming racism.”

The pope said various countries had “new, worrisome signs of racism, often tied to social and economic problems,” but such problems could “never justify racial contempt and discrimination.”

The pope asked for prayers so that mutual acceptance may grow in the world.

In Italy, some Catholics have criticized the government’s new crackdown on illegal immigration and other security measures, saying they are racially discriminatory.

Paul beginning Sept. 2. Topics will include St. Paul’s teachings on faith and works, marriage and chastity, the church and sacraments, the Jews and the rapture. For more information, contact Gus Magrinat at gmagrinat@pol.net or John Malmfelt at jmalmsie@aol.com.

GREENSBORO — All practicing Catholic women of Irish birth or descent, or who are the wife of a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians are invited to participate in the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, a social, cultural and charitable group for an ongoing series of fun and informative activities. The group will meet Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Pius X Church, 2210 N. Elm St. Join us for refreshments and to learn more about our group. For more information, contact Mary Driscoll at (336) 785-0693.

HIGH POINT — Free Spanish classes will be offered at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4145 Johnson St., Thursdays 78:30 p.m. beginning Sept 18. For information or to register, call Nancy at (336) 884-0522 or e-mail Larry at HLKwan@lexcominc.net.

BRYSON CITY — “Stewardship: A Way of Life” will be presented by Barbara Gaddy, associate director of the Development Office of the Diocese of Charlotte, Sept. 10 at St. Joseph Church, 316 Main St., following the 4 p.m. Mass and a covered dish supper.

The presentation will include background on stewardship from Scripture and traditions in the church; ways of promoting stewardship activities in the parish; and the fruits of a parish stewardship effort. For more information, e-mail maryherr@dnet.net or call (828) 497-9498.

SALISBURY VICARIATE MOORESVILLE — “Christ’s Presence in the Eucharist: A Eucharistic Spirituality for Today” will be held Aug. 26 at St. Therese of Lisieux Church, 217 Brawley School Rd., 7-9 p.m.

This two-hour faith formation and enrichment session is sponsored by “Why Catholic?” and presented by RENEW International. For more information, contact Michael Coyle at (704) 598-3049.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN VICARIATE SYLVA — “Spreading the Good News: How Catholics Share Our Faith” evangelization training for lay leaders and volunteers will take place at St. Mary Mother of God Church, 22 Bartlett St. Aug. 23, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The workshop will present the basics of Catholic evangelization and help participants begin to develop an action plan for their parish, group or organization. For more information and registration, call Frank Villaronga at (704) 370-3274 or e-mail favillaronga@ charlottediocese.org.

Episcopal

calendar

WINSTON-SALEM VICARIATE CLEMMONS — Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd., will conduct an ongoing series called “Catholics Returning Home” on six consecutive Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 9. These sessions are for nonpracticing Catholics who are interested in returning to the church. There will be informal sharing and an update on the Catholic faith. For more details, call Sean or Kelly Hines at (336) 940-6053 or e-mail hinesnc@ahelphia.net.

WINSTON-SALEM — In an effort to give practical help to married and engaged couples to live out the teaching of the Church, a course on natural family planning will begin Sept. 21, at 1:30 p.m. in the Bishop Begley Parish Center at St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale Ave. Come learn how to build your marriage relationship with better communication skills and enhanced intimacy by sharing the responsibility for birth regulation. For more information, contact Todd and Stephanie Brown at (336) 765-2909.

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. 23 (10 a.m.)

Blessing of new preschool Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Monroe Aug. 24 (9 a.m.)

Pastor installation of Father Tien H. Duong St. Francis of Assisi Church, Franklin

Aug. 25-27 Bishops, priests annual provincial assembly Archdiocese of Atlanta Sept. 5 (3 p.m.)

40th anniversary Mass for Bishop F. Joseph Gossman St. Michael the Archangel Church, Cary

Pope approves beatification of St. Therese’s parents in Lisieux VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has approved the beatification of Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux.

The couple will be beatified Oct. 19, World Mission Sunday, during a Mass in the Basilica of St. Therese in Lisieux, France, the Vatican announced Aug. 19.

St. Therese and St. Francis Xavier are the patron saints of the missions. The Vatican did not say who would preside at the Martins’ beatification Mass.

With beatification, the diocese where the candidate lived or the religious order to which the person belonged is authorized to hold public commemorations on the person’s feast day. With the declaration of sainthood, public liturgical celebrations are allowed around the world.

The Martins were declared venerable, one of the first steps in the sainthood process, in 1994. But the miracle needed for their beatification was not approved

by the Vatican until early July.

Louis lived 1823-1894 and his wife lived 1831-1877. They had nine children, five of whom joined religious orders.

Also Aug. 19, the Vatican announced four other beatification ceremonies: — Sister Vincenza Maria Poloni, founder of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy in Italy, will be beatified Sept. 21 in Verona, Italy.

— Father Michael Sopocko, founder of the Sisters of Merciful Jesus and spiritual director of St. Faustina Kowalska, will be beatified Sept. 28 at the Church of Divine Mercy in Bialystok, Poland.

— Father Francesco Pianzola, founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Queen of Peace, will be beatified Oct. 4 in Vigevano, Italy.

— Father Francesco Giovanni Bonifacio, martyred in 1946 by Yugoslav communists, will be beatified Oct. 4 in Trieste, Italy.

Grief in Georgia

CNS photo by Denis Sinyakov, Reuters

A South Ossetian woman distributes food aid Aug. 15 at a Greek Orthodox Church in Ts’khinvali, the capital of the Georgian province of South Ossetia. A Georgian attack on the breakaway province of South Ossetia Aug. 7 followed by a Russian invasion of Georgia left an unknown number of dead, including civilians, and prompted an estimated 60,000 people to flee their homes. Pope Benedict XVI urged the international community to establish humanitarian corridors in Georgia so that the dead could be buried, the wounded receive medical help and refugees return home.

PASTORAL ASSIGNMENTS Bishop Peter J. Jugis announces the following pastoral appointments, effective Aug. 1: — Redemptorist Father J. Joseph Dionne, as pastor, St. James the Greater Church, Concord — Jesuit Father Donald Ward, as parochial vicar, St. Therese of Lisieux Church, Mooresville — Conventual Franciscan Father Mario Giuliano, as parochial vicar, Our Lady of Mercy Church, Winston-Salem

4 The Catholic News & Herald

from the cover

August 22, 2008

Five Greensboro churches build Habitat for Humanity house HOUSE, from page 1

Volunteers took a break from their hammering Aug. 15 when Msgr. Anthony Marcaccio, pastor of St. Pius X Church, came out to bless the site, the workers and the undertaking.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for inner-parish activity that will benefit our community,” said Msgr. Marcaccio in an interview.

Fundraising for the project began in January, when Msgr. Marcaccio signed the intent form with Habitat for Humanity confirming the parishes’ commitment to actively participate in the building of a house in Greensboro.

“When Msgr. Marcaccio expressed interest in a Habitat for Humanity project, it was met with immediate enthusiasm from all of the parishes,” said Joe Bauer, co-chair for the build and parishioner of St. Pius X Church.

In addition to the five churches — St. Pius X Church, St. Paul the Apostle Church, Our Lady of Grace Church, St. Benedict Church and St. Mary Church — also involved with the build are students from Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville and Catholic organizations such as the Knights of Columbus.

“It is a great thing to do together,” said Msgr. Marcaccio of the joint effort, “People have been very generous.”

Each parish was assigned a financial goal.

It cost $60,000 in supplies to build a Habitat for Humanity house, but the overall goal was to raise $65,000.

The extra money was sent to a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Honduras, where houses can be built for just under $5,000.

This will be the first home built in Greensboro by the Catholic churches since 1997.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to build bridges within the community, particularly with people of different faith traditions,” Bauer said.

The recipient of the home is a Muslim family with two young daughters.

“We are very happy to embrace people of other traditions and honor the diversity in our community,” said Bauer.

At this point, construction is

Photos by Katie Moore

Above: Parishioners from Greensboro Catholic churches raise a wall during construction of a Habitat for Humanity house in Greensboro Aug. 15. Below: Joe Bauer, co-chair for the building of the Habitat house in Greensboro and parishioner of St. Pius X Church, saws the edge of a wall during construction of the house Aug. 15.

Parishioners from all five Greensboro Catholic churches have worked together to raise funds for the project and are participating in the construction of the home. projected to take 17 weeks. The goal is to have the family in the home before Christmas.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro was formed in 1987 and is the 16th largest affiliate nationwide.

Habitat for Humanity partners with sponsors and people in need around the globe to build decent, affordable homes and help eliminate poverty housing.

With the construction of the house underway, Msgr. Marcaccio said he hoped the effort has “helped raise awareness for the need of housing and the ministry of Habitat for Humanity.”

“This is a way of introducing the ministry to our parishes so that it can be continued,” he said.

Bauer said he also hopes this will be the first of many collaborative efforts between Habitat for Humanity and the Catholic parishes of Greensboro.

“The mission is to build bridges and to break down walls of prejudice,” he said. “As people of faith, that is what we are called to do.”

WANT MORE PICS? More construction photos are available online at www.charlottediocese.org.

August 22, 2008

The Catholic News & Herald 5

priests’ retirement

‘Still Sowing the Seeds of Faith’ Upcoming collection helps both retired and active priests in diocese

Photo by Barbara Gaddy

Father Edward Sheridan, a retired priest of the Diocese of Charlotte, celebrates Mass in a chapel on his property in Hickory June 24. Also pictured are Carl Larson and Rita Borst. Father Ed Sheridan often invites friends and former parishioners to join him for daily Mass.

Filling up fast – don’t wait!

YOUR air space will be released Sept. 4!!

For retired priest Father Edward Sheridan, the theme of this year’s diocesan Priests’ Retirement & Benefits Collection — “Still Sowing the Seeds of Faith” — has a special meaning.

It might refer to the way he stewards God’s beautiful works of creation that surround him at his retirement home, “The Hermitage,” near the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory.

Or it may reflect the many ways he continues to share God’s word with the individuals and small groups who still come to him for spiritual direction, prayer and reflection.

Either way, Father Ed is “still sowing the seeds of faith” in his retirement.

Nearly every window of Father Ed’s humble home boasts a view of nature that inspires his quiet prayer time. The tiny chapel on the grounds provides another place for quiet prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist.

Father Ed often invites friends and former parishioners to join him for daily Mass. On other occasions, his little Marian grotto is a space for praying the rosary and reflecting.

Father Ed’s words of faith, hope and encouragement are yet more ways he continues to sow the seeds of faith.

This past spring, some of the young families from St. Aloysius Church spent the day on his 30-acre hermitage.

Karen Taylor and Andrea Haas, whose children participated in the family day of reflection, were happy to see their children’s enthusiasm for the outdoor Mass.

Another time, a few families brought tents and camped out in the meadow on top of a hill overlooking the conference center. Father Ed provided prayer and stories that were cherished by all.

Father Ed is part of a brotherhood of 25 retired diocesan priests who are “still sowing the seeds of faith” in various ways throughout the diocese and beyond.

Some are involved in ministry to the sick; others visit the imprisoned; and still others help in parishes when the pastors are away. All of these men pray daily for the people of this diocese. Our retired priests continue to live as good stewards of their God-given gifts and talents.

Our generosity to the annual collection for the priests’ retirement and

Guest Column BARBARA GADDY guest columnist

benefits plans is one way we can express our gratitude for the many ways these retired priests continue to bless us. Of the collection, $444,000 is allocated to the retired diocesan priests’ health plan.

This collection assures also that those priests who are currently in active ministry will have funds available when they retire — $560,500 will be directed to pension contributions for the diocesan priests’ retirement plan.

A total contribution of $414,500 also will be made to the retirement plans of the 11 religious orders serving within our diocese.

Each parish is assessed 3.5 percent of its annual offertory collection to raise the funds needed to support these priests’ retirement and benefits plans. For most of our parishes, that represents just a little less than two times their regular Sunday offertory. So if every parishioner would make a contribution that is about twice the amount he or she puts in the regular weekend collection, our parishes would be able to pay the assessment.

Some parishioners’ budgets might require them to stretch that gift out over a month or more. Each parish has additional envelopes for that purpose.

Check with your parish office.

So the next time one of our retired priests comes to assist in your parish, visits you or a loved one in the hospital, invites you to participate in a morning of prayer, or is seen sharing God’s Word with someone in a local jail or prison, just remember — our priests never stop sowing the seeds of faith.

Please be generous to this second collection being held in your parish the weekend after Labor Day, Sept. 6-7.

Barbara Gaddy is associate director of the diocesan Development Office.

Photo by Barbara Gaddy

Father Edward Sheridan sits in the Marian grotto on his property in Hickory June 24 with (from left) Mary Ann Larson, Bill Borst and Carl Laron. Father Sheridan often invites friends and former parishioners to join him for daily Mass in his chapel or to use the grotto for prayer and reflection.

6 The Catholic News & Herald

FROM THE COVER

August 22, 2008

Bishop Jugis blesses new Catholic section of cemetery GARDEN, from page 1

in that it is the only exclusively Catholic section located at an independentlyowned cemetery in the Charlotte area.

“This has been a long effort to bring this to fruition,” said Msgr. McSweeney.

In 2006, the Diocese of Charlotte implemented a moratorium on constructing and expanding columbaria and conducted a study on the use of columbaria and cemeteries.

“The church prefers the burial of the body of the deceased over the cremation of the body,” wrote Bishop Jugis in a Sept. 8, 2006 column in The Catholic News & Herald.

In response to the moratorium, Msgr.

McSweeney began a feasibility study last year to look into the possibility of opening a cemetery on St. Matthew Church property.

“We are routinely asked whether or not there is a Catholic cemetery in Charlotte,” said Antoinette Usher, director of facilities at St. Matthew Church.

Due to land availability, zoning and environmental issues, the study found that it would not be feasible to build a cemetery on the church property.

At the time, Forest Lawn East Cemetery was looking into the possibility of opening a Catholic section due to

Burial or cremation?

The Order of Christian Funerals — the Vatican-approved rite used for celebrating Catholic funerals — indicates three reasons for the preference of burial of the body of the deceased over the cremation of the body: — Jesus himself willed to be buried; — the body at the funeral rite expresses in a natural way the manner people had been accustomed to relate to the person while he or she was living, namely through a human body; — the body at the funeral rite expresses Jesus’ teaching regarding the supernatural dignity and destiny of the human body.

The Order of Christian Funerals presents cremation as an exception to burial and allows Catholics to be cremated “when extraordinary circumstances make the cremation of a body the only feasible choice.”

In March 2007, the Diocese of Charlotte issued its new policy on cemeteries and columbaria, which states parishes may offer at one location a resting place for both the bodies and the cremated remains of the deceased.

The policy gives the diocese the option to create Catholic sections in local cemeteries and to receive or purchase land for the establishment of a Catholic cemetery.

increasing demands for Catholic burials.

“It didn’t just happen overnight,” Msgr. McSweeney explained. “There was a lot of thought and prayer” that went into the planning.

“The Garden of St. Matthew is a pastorally-sensitive approach, offering equal access at one location to all our Catholic parishioners who desire a resting place for either the body or for cremated remains,” said Bishop Jugis.

“It fulfills the requirements of our new policy on cemeteries adopted in 2007, which requires that a resting place for the bodies of the deceased and a resting place for cremated remains be available all at one location,” said the bishop.

“What is wonderful for us is that it takes the management responsibility off of the parish and puts it into the hands of professionals,” said Usher.

Forest Lawn East was designed and developed in 1971. The cemetery consists of 52 acres of developed property with 128 acres available for future expansion.

The Garden of St. Matthew has room for 256 burial spaces, which will be divided into an upright monument section and a flat bronze and granite section.

In the garden will be a 7-foot granite statue of St. Matthew donated

by Msgr. McSweeney in honor of his late sister. At a luncheon following the Aug. 12 blessing, representatives from the cemetery and Heritage Funeral and Cremation Services presented the pastors with information to take back to their parishioners.

Bishop Jugis was presented with several certificates for burial spaces for indigent or low income parishioners.

More certificates may be provided on an as-needed basis.

Father Tan Van Le, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Charlotte, said he is excited about the opportunity for his parishioners to be buried with other Catholics from the diocese.

“They want to be buried with Catholics,” he said. “We hope to share with the whole diocese.”

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

Photo by Katie Moore

Bishop Peter J. Jugis delivers a brief reflection on the Scripture reading during the blessing of the cross and the Catholic section at Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Matthews Aug. 12. Also pictured (from left) Msgr. John McSweeney, Deacon James Hamrlik, seminarian Joshua Bradford, Father Patrick Cahill and Father Luis Osorio.

August 22, 2008

The Catholic News & Herald 7

back to school

Courtesy Photo

Teacher Kay Roberts sits with new kindergarten students at St. Ann School in Charlotte Aug. 20, the first day of classes.

Students return to school across Diocese of Charlotte SCHOOL, from page 1

School in Charlotte, and students are returning to new laptop computers at Immaculata School in Hendersonville and Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point.

Immaculate Heart of Mary School teachers received summer training on the laptops, and among the applications learned was how to create podcasts, which offer new instructional and learning opportunities.

The Learning/Language Stimulation program is blossoming at St. Ann School in Charlotte. Now in its second year, the program provides one-on-one instruction for students in grades two through five who have difficulty learning.

Kindergarten-through-fifth-grade students now will be learning Chinese language, culture and writing at St. Leo the Great School in Winston-Salem. And new programs are in place at Immaculata School — a new reading series for students and upgraded social studies for middle school classes. Also, the school’s

gymnasium has been refurbished with a new roof and floor.

As enrollment rises in Catholic schools across the diocese, offering a curriculum with a faith component is the most important aspect, according to Principal Debbie Mixer at St. Patrick School.

“We are able to help the students grow in their faith,” she said.

And watch the students grow — literally.

“Watching the kindergarten students walk in so unsure on the first day and then seeing them graduate in the spring — the transition and transformation is enormous,” said Mixer.

“Our schools are Catholic first,” said Linda Cherry, superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte.

“This year our focus in everything is leading our students to a faith-filled life, exemplified in the celebration of Mass and the holy Eucharist,” she said.

WANT MORE INFO? For more information on diocesan Catholic schools, visit www.charlottediocese. org/catholicschools.html.

8 The Catholic News & Herald

Fostering faith at college Guest Column MARY WRIGHT guest columnist

We are so blessed in this diocese to have such dedicated, caring and committed campus ministers.

As we begin another school year, I am mindful that I am starting my 10th year in campus ministry. I am very blessed to be director of diocesan campus ministry and a campus minister at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

No matter how long one is in campus ministry, the reality is that we need to continue the faith formation that parents, parishes and friends have begun at least 18 years prior to a student going to college.

What an awesome responibility we have to continue ministering and journeying with Catholic college students.

As many of you know, the campus ministers do an extraordinary job implementing the U.S. bishop’s pastoral letter “Empowered by the Spirit.”

Campus ministers focus and provide opportunities for college students to form faith communities, appropriate the faith, form Christian conscience, educate for peace and justice, facilitate personal development and develop leaders and disciples for the future.

As you read the following article, you will note that our campus ministers manifest those aspects in many different ways.

On a diocesan level, we are providing a leadership training weekend in September for all student leaders involved in campus ministry.

All students are invited to a vocation day in November and a service weekend in February.

Another initiative we are beginning this year is an e-mail address — off2college@charlottediocese.org — for students interested in receiving more information about or becoming involved with campus ministry.

The respective campus minister will be notified so an invitation can be extended to the student.

We are very grateful for your support of the Diocesean Support Appeal, which helps fund campus ministry. In addition to that funding, each campus is assigned a development goal they must attain.

Thank you for supporting this vital ministry for the future leaders of our church. Please know this ministry with college students is not possible without your support.

Thank you in advance for your prayerful and financial support of Catholic campus ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Mary Wright is the director for campus and young adult ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte.

August 22, 2008

back to school

Diocesan Catholic Campus Ministry Director: Mary Wright (704-370-3212, mmwright@ charlottediocese.org) Appalachian State University Campus Minister: Erin Leonard (828-264-7087, erin4209@ yahoo.com) Bennett College; NC A&T State University Campus Minister: Alberta Hairston (336-272-5868, theahouse@bellsouth.net) Davidson College Campus Minister: Karen Soos (704-894-2423, kasoos@ davidson.edu) Wake Forest University; North Carolina School of the Arts; Salem College Campus Minister: Father Jude DeAngelo (336-758-5018, deangejt@wfu.edu); Campus Minister: Julie Ostergaard (336-758-4214, ostergjm@ wfu.edu) Western Carolina University Campus Minister: Matthew Newsome (828-293-9374, ccm@wcucatholic.org) UNC-Asheville; Brevard College; Mars Hill College Campus Minister: Gloria Schweizer (828-250-3841, uncacatholic@aol.com) UNC-Charlotte Campus Minister: Mary Wright (704-370-3212, mmwright@ uncc.edu); Campus Minister: Peg Ruble (704-717-7104, rkrmcr@aol.com) UNC Greensboro; Greensboro College; Guildford College Campus Minister: Penny DeLoca (336-334-4264, ptdeloca@uncg.edu)

WANT MORE INFO? For more information about diocesan C a t h o l i c c a m p u s m i n i s t r y, v i s i t www.charlottediocese.org/campus_ youngadult.html.

Catholicism on ca Campus ministry helps Catholic college students grow in their faith while hitting the books by

KATIE MOORE staff writer

CHARLOTTE — As Catholic students return to school this month, those attending many of the colleges and universities within the Diocese of Charlotte will have an outlet for their faith on campus.

Since the founding of campus ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte in 1972, the program has grown to encompass 15 public and private colleges and universities within western North Carolina.

Through Catholic campus ministry, students in the diocese are encouraged to grow in their faith and share their God given gifts through opportunities of learning, worship and service.

In 1985, the U.S. bishops issued a pastoral letter on campus ministry.

It stated that, “Campus ministry is the embodiment of the church on campus.”

According to that pastoral letter, the goal of campus ministry is to “form a Catholic Christian community through worship, reflection on the faith, peer ministry, and outreach to the university at large.

“Through the efforts of this ministry, Catholic students are formed in the faith, ‘empowered by the Spirit’ to realize the kingdom of God on campus and become prepared to contribute to the church following their college years.”

Learning One of the goals of campus ministry is to help Catholic college students expand their knowledge of church teachings and to grow in the faith.

“With God, the more we learn about him, the more we love him,” said Matthew Newsome, campus minister at Western Carolina University, in Cullowhee.

Newsome plans to offer catechetical bi-monthly classes in conjunction with Wednesday night dinners at the campus ministry center at Western Carolina University. The sessions will cover topics on faith sharing and evangelization.

“There must be a catechetical element,” he said. “They (the students) really want to have this material presented to them.”

Several campuses in the diocese offer small group faith sharing through Campus RENEW. Campus RENEW, the college program from RENEW International, is a two-and-a-half year process that facilitates renewal and transformation on college campuses through small faith-sharing groups. It fosters spirituality, builds community and a commitment to service.

At the University of North CarolinaGreensboro, Guilford College and Greensboro College, students meet weekly for faith sharing and RENEW training workshops.

At North Carolina A&T State University and Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, a Campus RENEW lectionary-based Scripture study is offered bi-weekly.

At Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, students meet weekly for “Why Catholic?” discussion groups.

Another program facilitated by RENEW International, “Why Catholic?” offers

August 22, 2008

ampus a practical, pastoral approach to evangelization and adult faith formation.

Worship Another unique aspect of Catholic campus ministry is the mutually beneficial relationship that often forms between the students and the local parish communities.

During the school year, students from Appalachian State University provide music at weekend Masses at St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country Church in Boone.

“This interaction really helps students feel like members of the St. Elizabeth’s community and develop a home away from home,” said Erin Leonard, campus minister at Appalachian State University.

“Going to college is a time of great transition. It is really important for students to stay connected to their faith during this time,” said Leonard.

“In addition to all we do as a group on campus, it is important for us to stay an active part of the larger church.”

Students from A&T State University and Bennett College for Women attend Sunday and holy day liturgies at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro.

Msgr. Anthony Marcaccio, pastor of St. Pius X Church, celebrates Mass at Thea House, the campus ministry center, once a month.

Students from UNC-Charlotte help coordinate games and activities at the parish picnic for St. Thomas Aquinas Church each fall. Members of the “Young at Heart” group at the parish prepare a meal for the students once a month.

At Western Carolina University, Father Walter Williams, pastor of St. Mary Church in Sylva, hears confessions and celebrates Mass on campus once a week.

Students from UNC-Greensboro, Guilford College and Greensboro College attend Mass together at Our Lady of Grace Church.

back to school

Service “Through campus ministry, college students answer the call from the U.S. bishops to put Catholic social teaching into action,” said Gloria Schweizer, campus minister at the UNC-Ashville, Brevard College and Mars Hill College.

Students give of their time and talent through acts of service on their campuses, in their communities and beyond.

S t u d e n t s f r o m Wa k e F o r e s t University were recognized recently for their work with the Catholic Hurricane Relief Agency in Louisiana. Catholic students from Wake Forest have been to the Gulf Coast six times since it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

They’ve gutted houses, cleaned schools, removed old insulation, hung sheetrock and played with neighborhood children.

For the past 10 years, Catholic students from Davidson College in Davidson have traveled to Nicaragua with an ecumenical group sponsored by the College Chaplain’s Office and Davidson College Presbyterian Church. Karen Soos, the Catholic campus minister at Davidson, is one of the trip’s co-leaders.

“What we try to do with the students on the Journey to Nicaragua team is have them learn about a particular situation, listen to people’s stories, share their lives and then out of that, after they come back home, choose a life and a lifestyle that integrates service, justice and continual learning,” said Soos.

Each February, students from all the campuses in the diocese participate in the “Give Your Heart Away” retreat, a weekend of faith, justice and service projects at various locations.

“I know a lot of people my age are feeling unfulfilled,” said Katie Goodman, a UNC-Asheville student who attended the “Give Your Heart Away” retreat in February 2008. “They seem to be searching for something deeper, which makes me wonder if something is missing. I am wondering, after the experience of this weekend, if maybe it is the direction in which we have been giving our hearts away.”

The Catholic News & Herald 9

Courtesy Photos

Above: Catholic students from Western Carolina University help build wheelchair ramps for elderly residents of Jackson County during a service project in fall 2005. Below: Catholic students from North Carolina A&T State University and Bennett College for Women sit in front of Thea House in Greensboro. Thea House is a campus ministry center where black Catholic students can meet other Catholics, continue their faith formation and celebrate their culture’s unique gifts to the Catholic Church.

Catholic campus ministry is one of the ministries partly funded by your contributions to the Diocesan Support Appeal.

August 22, 2008

10 The Catholic News & Herald

Culture Watch

Entertaining historical look at ‘female pope’ has scholarly gaps (CNS) — Eleanor Herman is not afraid to take on seemingly controversial topics and unusual aspects of history. She has written “Sex With Kings” and “Sex With the Queen.” In her latest effort, “Mistress of the Vatican,” she chronicles the story of Olimpia Maidalchini, whose brother-in-law was Pope Innocent X. Historians agree that Maidalchini had considerable influence with the pope and his papacy, which lasted 1644-1655.

Herman has an engaging style and creates an interesting read about Maidalchini, Rome and the state of the church at that time.

However, there are many implications in the book that make a reader wonder.

For example, the introduction notes, “The church, too, looked on females as defective creatures. ... The church fathers, who in the second through fifth centuries grappled with Scripture to hammer out Catholic theology, were notorious misogynists.”

Yet, she writes in Chapter 11 about the historical relationship of the Catholic Church and women. She states that for three centuries “women played a major role — teaching, disciplining and managing material resources. According to tombstones found in France, Turkey, Greece, Italy and Yugoslavia, some of these women were priests.”

She also writes about the tradition of women priests through the fifth century.

Herman’s book relies heavily on the writings of Gualdus Leti when it comes to facts about Maidalchini. And church historians do not argue about the fact that she had considerable influence on the pope and his decision-making. The Catholic Encyclopedia even notes that.

The book is vivid but often filled

WORD TO LIFE

A roundup of Scripture, readings, films and more

with “might haves,” “could haves” and “imagines.” The book concludes with Maidalchini’s death and notes “we can imagine her soul rising through the goldembroidered velvet hangings of her fourposter bed.”

Herman also refers to St. Thomas Aquinas as arguing his theology in the 12th century. He lived from 1225 to 1274, which of course makes him a 13th-century theologian. It is a small error but does make one wonder about other details.

The author also writes that the “Latin word for woman — ‘femina’ — was said to have come from ‘fe’ for faith and ‘minus’ for less since women were thought too weak to hold and preserve the faith.” A quick check of Merriam Webster shows a different etymology.

She also writes about the decline of the town of Viterbo, north of Rome and site of the papal residence in the late 13th century, and notes “the papal court moved to the peace and quiet of Avignon, in southern France.”

It seems simplistic to describe it as a move to a quieter place.

Herman’s book is revealing, entertaining and interesting. However, it is not a great scholarly work and it seems to have an agenda.

Herman concludes her book: “But Olimpia’s story, completely true, has been completely forgotten. New church scandals fill the newspapers. New saints inspire the faithful.

“And in an age when other Christian churches have permitted female priests, the Catholic Church adamantly refuses to consider doing so, citing tradition. The church does not concede that a woman has already run the Vatican itself, and her name was Olimpia Maidalchini.”

Sunday Scripture Readings: Aug 31, 2008

Aug. 31, Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A. Readings: 1) Jeremiah 20:7-9 Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9 2) Romans 12:1-2 Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27

Taking up the cross often involves struggle, sacrifice by

SHARON K. PERKINS catholic news service

Having begun a doctoral program relatively late in life, I’ve discovered a “love-hate relationship” with higher education. That’s a term often used to describe strong but ambivalent feelings about a person or situation, and it’s quite appropriate to express the simultaneous pleasure and pain of reading hundreds of pages of assigned texts, researching papers and taking exams.

Why would anyone with a family and a full-time job voluntarily put themselves through the rigors (and sleep deprivation!) of a degree program?

It defies logic and flies in the face of common sense.

But when I consider the alternative, I always conclude that I can’t not do it. While the situation is paradoxical, it’s precisely in the paradox that I find my personal mission and the drive to push forward when the day-to-day exertions of graduate school

don’t always make sense.

Jeremiah’s situation in today’s first reading is a classic paradox: He’s in a “love-hate relationship” with his call to give prophetic utterance to God’s message. Although he is subjected to constant ridicule and contemplates not speaking God’s name any longer, he finds that he cannot hold inside the “fire burning in my heart” and “imprisoned in my bones.” While conventional human wisdom would advise him to stifle the prophetic impulse, God’s calling is too powerful to renounce.

The exchange between Jesus and Peter in today’s Gospel reveals the ultimate paradox, however. What can be more nonsensical than the Son of Man surrendering himself to torture and certain death?

But Jesus is very clear that the same paradox that compels him to embrace the cross is at the heart of discipleship: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Conventional wisdom would advise one to do whatever is necessary for self-preservation. Jesus’ call doesn’t make sense —even to his closest followers —and it’s absolutely ridiculous to nonbelievers. But therein lies its saving power.

Question: Where is God calling you to surrender your own personal ideas, plans or lifestyle in a way that doesn’t make sense?

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE Scripture for the week of Aug. 24-30 Sunday (Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time), Isaiah 22:19-23, Romans 11:33-36, Matthew 16:13-20; Monday (St. Louis of France, St Joseph Calasanz), 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12, Matthew 23:13-22; Tuesday, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 14-17, Matthew 23:23-26; Wednesday (St. Monica), 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18, Matthew 23:27-32; Thursday (St. Augustine), 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Matthew 24:42-51; Friday (Martyrdom of John the Baptist), 1 Corinthians 1:17-25, Mark 6:17-29; Saturday, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Matthew 25:14-30.

Scripture for the week of Aug. 31-Sept. 6 Sunday (Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time), Jeremiah 20:7-9, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 16:21-27; Monday, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Luke 4:16-30; Tuesday, 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Luke 4:31-37; Wednesday (St. Gregory the Great), 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Luke 4:38-44; Thursday, 1 Corinthians 3:18-23, Luke 5:1-11; Friday, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Luke 5:33-39; Saturday, 1 Corinthians 4:6-15, Luke 6:1-5.

The Catholic News & Herald 11

August 22, 2008

Man starts social networking site for Catholic parishes by

GEOFFREY A. BROOKE JR. catholic news service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Facebook and MySpace, the two most popular social networking sites on the Web, have practically become household names, but a Catholic Delaware man who has started a networking site for Catholic parishes hopes he can get some recognition of his own.

Shaun Gallagher said he took the “concept of social networking and centered it on a parish” to create www.parishnetwork.org.

Users go to the site to look for their parish and sign up through the parish, then they can communicate with other members of the parish through messages, forums and groups. Users also can connect with other Catholics in their diocese in the same way.

“It’s a matter of aggregating information to add parishes” to the site, said Gallagher.

He works on the site by himself, with no paid or volunteer staff to help, gathering information for all the parishes in all the dioceses in the United States.

In a matter of weeks the site went from having 15 or 16 U.S. dioceses listed to 74 dioceses — and 9,635 parishes — listed as of June 23.

Even with such rapid growth, Gallagher said he expected it would take a few more months before all of the nation’s 195 dioceses and their parishes are uploaded to the site.

Gallagher said he has been trying to “get the snowball rolling” by contacting various dioceses around the country and spreading information about the site via word of mouth through his friends.

Gallagher first got the idea when he moved to Delaware from New York in August 2007. He found that he was only able to introduce himself to a few people and that it was hard to make connections with other parishioners.

His site is “a foundational tool that helps people along their religious journeys,” said Gallagher.

He believes it will have an impact on users’ spirituality in a communal and personal sense.

“It gives someone an opening to introduce themselves,” Gallagher added.

The site enables users to have a profile in which they can display their interests and hobbies.

“That alone can form Christian fellowship,” he added.

He also thinks the site can influence people’s prayer life; for example, he said he thinks those who feel they don’t pray as often as they should might pray more if they see a prayer request someone has posted on the site.

Gallagher also thinks the site might have more of an impact on younger Catholics, making them feel more a part of a parish community.

“I know several people who have left the faith because they thought nobody would care, nobody would notice” if they left, he said. “If young people go to Mass and no one knows their name, it can be discouraging,” he noted, adding that the site can help people know each other’s name and give “people support to grow.”

Gallagher works as a full time Web editor for The News Journal daily newspaper in Delaware.

His vision for the site it is to have something different from other social networking sites. He values simplicity and said he believes that philosophy came out of the time he spent as a DeSales Service Works volunteer in 2004.

Other Catholic social networking sites exist, but they cater to individuals, not dioceses and parishes as Gallagher’s site does.

Officials planning World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia, recently launched a networking site called www.xt3.com for those who made the journey to attend the six-day event in July.

Other sites include www.4marks. com, which focuses its target on young, single Catholics; www.cathcommunity. org, which focuses on individuals and on creating networks among various Catholic organizations; and www.mycatholicvillage.com, which aims to bring together individual Catholics from all across the globe.

12 The Catholic News & Herald

August 22, 2008

around the diocese

Clothed for the journey

Birthdays in a bag

Courtesy Photo

Discalced Carmelite Father Anthony Haglof is pictured with members of the Flower of Carmel Community after a votive Mass and clothing ceremony for Ruth Ballard (to his right) at St. Barnabas Church in Arden July 12.

Secular Discalced Carmelites clothe member in brown scapular ARDEN — Ruth Ballard was clothed in a ceremonial brown scapular by the Flower of Carmel Community of the Order of Discalced Carmelites during a votive Mass at St. Barnabas Church in Arden July 12.

The clothing, the habit of the order, was given to Ballard, a convert to Catholicism and former Lutheran pastor, at the culmination of 18 months of study and discernment.

Discalced Carmelite Father Anthony Haglof celebrated the Mass and officiated the clothing ceremony. Elizabeth Pantas, the Flower of Carmel Community formation director, assisted in the clothing ceremony on behalf of the community.

Ballard took “Therese-Elizabeth of St. Luke, the Iconographer” as her name in the community. She now begins a five-year period of study, prayer and discernment that may lead her to lifelong promises of poverty, chastity and obedience to the community and the Superiors of the Teresian Carmel.

Ballard said her “love affair” with Carmelite spirituality began a decade ago when, as a Lutheran pastor, she read the spiritual autobiography of St. Therese, a Discalced Carmelite.

That “was the catalyst that began my journey into full communion with the Catholic Church,” she said. “A deep longing developed within my heart to be a part of this rich (Discalced Carmelite)

tradition and to share within community a common calling to a life of holiness and contemplative prayer, following the example of our blessed mother.”

“This longing became a reality when the Holy Spirit led me to the Flower of Carmel Community,” she said.

Although retired, Ballard works as an iconographer, creating liturgical art that depicts biblical characters, events and saints. She also studies other types of artistic expression and explores ways to integrate Catholic doctrine and tradition with more contemporary art forms.

The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites is an order of lay people and diocesan priests who embrace a calling to strive for Christian perfection in the world according to the spirit and ideals of the Order of Discalced Carmelites.

Following in the way of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, Secular Carmelites endeavor to make their lives as grace-filled and as fruitful as possible for the church and the world. They are called upon to carry into the world the witness, message and example of the Carmelite Order.

Courtesy Photo

Shannon Martini, 11, a parishioner of St. James the Greater Church in Concord, sits amid the 25 “birthday bags” she made for children at the Carolina’s Children’s Center, an orphanage in Concord. Each bag contains a “birthday party,” complete with cake mix, candles, balloons, streamers, gifts and cards for either a boy or girl of different age groups.

Shannon collected donations from friends and family and delivered the bags June 10.

“I really didn’t do anything. It was all the great people who contributed that really made the difference,” said Shannon in an e-mail. “All I did was come up with the idea and be the person to put it together.”

She hopes other churches and organizations will follow suit and make and deliver birthday bags to the orphanage throughout the year.

“It goes to show that everyone can make a difference in a big way because all the little things and caring that one person does can keep adding up to be something real big,” she said.

WANT MORE INFO? For more information on the order, visit www.ocdswashprov.org. For more information on the Flower of Carmel Community, call Ella Reid at (828) 6673903 or visit www.flowerofcarmel.org.

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

Payment: For information, call (704) 370-3332.

August 22, 2008

The Catholic News & Herald 13

respect life

A united front

Pro-lifers join forces outside Charlotte abortion clinic to make message clear by

KATIE MOORE staff writer

Photo by Katie Moore

Paul Simoneau (center) director of the Office of Justice and Peace for the Diocese of Knoxville, Tenn. is pictured praying with other pro-life supporters outside an abortion clinic in Charlotte Aug. 9. Pro-lifers from Tennessee and Georgia were in Charlotte to protest the proposed opening of an abortion clinic in Chattanooga Tenn.

CHARLOTTE — Pro-life supporters from Charlotte, Augusta, Ga. and Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tenn. gathered Aug. 9 outside A Preferred Woman’s Health Center in Charlotte to prayerfully protest the proposed opening of an abortion clinic in Chattanooga.

The clinic would be an offshoot of the Charlotte-based center, which has locations in Raleigh and Augusta.

“We are aware of the intent to start a clinic in Chattanooga,” said Paul Simoneau, director of the Office of Justice and Peace for the Diocese of Knoxville.

“Our message is ‘never again,’”

Simoneau said.

Chattanooga has been “abortion clinic free” since 1993 when ProMaCC, the Pro-life Majority Coalition of Chattanooga, purchased the property that housed the city’s only abortion clinic and evicted the physician who performed abortions. The property now houses the National Memorial for the Unborn.

“The function (of ProMaCC) is simply to be a spokesperson for all of the pro-life community,” said Cynthia Kedrowski, president of Chattanoogans for Life.

ProMaCC is a Christian organization made up of people from various denominations and backgrounds.

“We love the Lord and we agree on the gift of life,” said Kedrowski.

ProMaCC organized the trip to Charlotte under the motto, “Pro-Life for the Long Haul.”

Simoneau contacted respect life organizers in Charlotte and Kedrowski got in touch with her friends and former Chattanooga residents, Janice and George Neyer, parishoners of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.

George Neyer arranged for his fellow members from Knights of Columbus Council 10505 to come out for the vigil.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis, of Charlotte, also came out to show his support.

“I am happy to be here to support the people from Tennessee and Georgia.

They have driven hours and hours, and have made great sacrifices to be here for this prayer vigil,” said Bishop Jugis.

“I am glad that people from our own diocese also have come to this vigil, especially the group from St. Mark’s Life Teen program who were here very, very early,” he said.

“My prayer is that the Lord will help all of us be messengers of mercy and peace in the face of the violence of abortion, and that the Lord will help us bring his light into this darkness,” the bishop said.

“I think it’s wonderful to have this act of solidarity,” said Simoneau of the joint effort among the pro-life groups.

“We don’t want abortion in any of our cities,” he said.

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

Attention Readers!

Have a Story to Share?

Do you have a 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.

August 22, 2008

14 The Catholic News & Herald

Perspectives

A collection of columns, editorials and viewpoints

A Carmelite devotion that resonates with today’s youth

Prayer for the success of the Eucharistic Congress Scapulars pique curiosity about spirituality O Jesus, who art really, truly and substantially present in the Blessed Sacrament to be the food of our souls, deign to bless and bring to a successful issue all Eucharistic Congresses and gatherings, and especially the coming Congress of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Be thou the inspiration of our labors, resolutions and vows; accept graciously the solemn homage we will render to thee; send your Holy Spirit to kindle the hearts of priests, religious, and all the faithful, especially the children, so that devout participation in the holy Mass and frequent and daily holy Communion may be held in honor in all the countries of the world; and grant that the kingship of your Sacred Heart over human society may everywhere be acknowledged to the glory of God, the Father.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, bless the congress.

St. Paschal Baylon, pray for us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, patroness of our diocese, pray for us.

St. Patrick, pray for us.

Oración para el exito espiritual del Congreso Eucarístico diocesano ¡Oh Jesús!, que estás real, substancial y verdaderamente presente en el Santísimo Sacramento del Altar para ser alimento de nuestras almas.

Dígnate bendecir y brindar el éxito a todos los Congresos Eucarísticos y asambleas eucarísticas, y muy especialmente a nuestro próximo Congreso Eucarístico de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

Sé Tú, Señor, la inspiración de todos nuestros trabajos, decisiones y votos.

Acepta amablemente el solemne homenaje que te dirigimos; envíanos tu Santo Espíritu para que encienda en el corazón de tus sacerdotes, religiosos, y de todos tus fieles, especialmente el de los niños, una devota participación en la Santa Misa y una frecuente y diaria recepción de la comunión, que sea tomada con honor y respeto en todos las naciones del mundo; y concede que el reinado del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús sea más conocido en toda sociedad humana para mayor gloria de Dios Padre. Amén.

Sagrado Corazon de Jesús, bendice nuestro congreso.

San Pascual Bailon, ruega por nosotros.

Santa Maria Madre de Dios y patrona de nuestra diócesis, ruega por nosotros.

San Patricio, ruega por nosotros.

Carless comment on shortage crisis

Father Eugene Hemrick states the cause of the current shortage crisis of natural resources is “our burgeoning and unrestrained populations” (“What’s behind all these shortage crises?”, Aug. 8).

What is Father Hemrick proposing?

That the United States emulate China?

His comment belongs in American birth control activist Margaret Sanger’s playbook, not a Catholic newspaper.

How could you not screen out such trash from the newspaper?

— John Durkin Charlotte

Detriments of mission trips

Donna Coennen’s letter to the editor (“Mission trips to help Americans,” Aug. 8) nailed it.

We may have it all wrong about the benefits of mission trips to foreign lands or resort islands when we have suffering people here in the United States.

It is confounding to me why people on islands or on a coastal areas surrounded by fish cannot be taught to fish. I wonder if we are enablers and not problem solvers.

We have immigrants coming from southeastern Asia who are thriving in coastal areas of the United States, fishing for a living and feeding their families.

Maybe we are trying to keep up with our Protestant brothers and sisters, many of them go on foreign mission trips to build churches and teach about the saving grace of knowing Jesus.

They get it right about teaching about Jesus Christ. Is that our mission or is it to just make us feel good about our selves?

Are we looking at this from the perspective of “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Jesus Christ), then all things will be added”?

— Joe Massi Waxhaw

Benefits of mission trips

In response to Donna Coennen’s letter to the editor (“Mission trips to help

The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel not only caused me to study its origins again; it also taught me how attractive its tradition is to youth.

The story has it that Mary, the mother of Jesus, appeared to Simon Stock, the general of the Carmelites, and gave him a scapular. “This shall be the privilege for you and for all the Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall be saved,” she told him.

The word “scapular” means shoulder.

In religious orders it is considered the most important part of a monastic habit.

It is a piece of cloth about the width of the breast, extending from one shoulder to the other.

It reaches down to the top of one’s feet on both sides. Other, shorter forms also exist. When children made their first holy Communion, they were given a shorter version.

As I was reflecting on Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a provincial of the Carmelites happened to drop by my office. In our discussion of the scapular, he told me, “When students enroll in Carmelite schools, they look forward to receiving a scapular.”

He then went on to say that one day while walking along a lake he spotted a lifeguard wearing the scapular. He also knew of basketball players who wear it on their ankles.

Normally it would be worn around the neck, but because it could choke a player, some people prefer to put it around their ankles.

The provincial also knew of people who wore the scapular until it literally

Letters to the Editor Americans,” Aug. 8) regarding Father Peter Daly’s July 25 column, I would like to share some thoughts.

It is understood that money spent on airline and hotel fees might be “better” spent on the poor — for housing or food — rather than taking someone from their comfort zone to areas most affected by poverty. I believe, as Father Daly states, we can receive many benefits by being part of these missions to other countries.

A trip to Mexico or South or Central America will change your perspective.

Each of us is called by Jesus to proclaim to the ends of the earth his message. For some of us, it may be a trip as far as China; for others, the trip may take you across the street.

Taking a mission trip outside country changes you, and not every country has the resources or will to help the poorest of the poor. I have been on trips both in the United States and in Nicaragua, and as great as the need is here it is greater in other countries.

The Human Side FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK cns columnist

turned to dust..

As I listened to him, I wondered why young people are attracted to the scapular. No doubt the thought of it guaranteeing salvation is attractive, but what might be other reasons for this?

Studies on youth reveal that while they may not be religious, they are spiritual. They may not attend Mass, but they will recite the rosary.

The nature of youth is to be inquisitive and curious. Nothing piques curiosity more than the world of spirituality.

Some of the most enjoyable conversations I have had on spirituality were with young people. Inquisitiveness is at its highest level during this stage of their life. They will raise thoughtprovoking questions that the greatest of theologians never imagined.

Picturing Mary appearing to a person, the presentation of the scapular and the promise of salvation are fascinating to us but never so fascinating as to the mind of a youth.

This leads me to believe that our so-called old-fashioned devotions might just be in fashion with our youth and also may be a way of getting them to church.

Here we have help available from many sources, both private and government. In the Third World, help is much harder to find.

— Tim Mainhart Greensboro

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August 22, 2008

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Summer’s end: Contemplating autumn and God’s time Changing seasons signal greater times to come The last days of summer are upon us.

As a child, I didn’t much like this August time of year. The summer I looked forward to the previous school year was fast disappearing, and soon a new school year would intrude upon what seemed to me then the truest form of human freedom: a child’s unmanaged hours of summer leisure.

As a young boy my small hands would cling fast to summer vacation, unprepared to concede that my early summer perspective of unlimited free time was unrealistic. Though older now, I still sometimes find myself resisting the calendar turn from summer to fall.

The flip of the month triggers a bittersweet mixture of memories of much anticipated summer family get-togethers as well as summer projects not yet accomplished.

Now, of course, I still see the boy in the mirror, but God who sees us both calms our jointly-managed, anxious heart and permits us to know him as the God of all seasons.

Even thinking back to Easter in late summer brings to mind the joy of our redemption through Christ, of spring and the beauty of new beginnings.

In between Easter and now, the church has honored the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ and helped us welcome

the gifts of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost still at work in the here and now.

The precious summer weeks that remain are allowed to ripen the seed of faith. The church calendar of late summer also brings its own special beauty in the feast of the Assumption.

In mid-August, the image of Mary, the mother of Jesus, being taken into God’s presence without the pain or anxiety of death underscores how the peace of summer need never end. Mary’s miraculous journey awaits us if we follow her example of submission to the divine will.

During the 20 years I was privileged to teach at the University of Notre Dame, it always seemed to me that the statue of Mary atop the Golden Dome, the university’s famed administration building in the center of the campus, stood in ever more tranquil splendor on this feast day.

Each Aug. 15, Jesus’ mother seemed to gently tilt her head and smile upon the nearby Indiana and Michigan countrysides as they were being prepared almost imperceptibly by God’s hand for the fall harvest.

The students had not yet returned, enabling August to remain a casual walk in undisturbed admiration for the morning dew on lush green lawns edged

Forty years after ‘Humanae Vitae’ Secular culture got many things wrong, God did not Forty years ago there was an eruption in the Catholic Church over the release of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical letter “Humanae Vitae” (“Of Human Life”).

At the time, secular culture pronounced it a “dead letter.” Cultural critics said the church was out of touch with the modern age on the role of human sexuality.

“Humanae Vitae” was blamed for the erosion of respect for the church’s moral teaching and the departure of many people from the Catholic Church.

But, at the time, secular culture made some pretty extravagant claims for the virtues of artificial contraception. Forty years on, it is worth asking, What about the claims of secular culture? Were they right?

The first birth control pill came on the market in the early 1960s. It was featured on the cover of news magazines.

It was talked about on television. People said it would usher in a new and happier age of sexual relations.

Did it?

Forty years ago it was said that artificial contraception would make marriages happier and more stable. Freed from the stress of many children, married couples would be better able to concentrate on each other and their marriage.

So what happened?

The divorce rate has skyrocketed.

Marriages are less stable. There were

many cultural factors involved, of course, but whatever can be said about birth control, it has not made marriages happier or more stable in U.S. culture.

Forty years ago it was said that the pill would mean more fulfilled sex lives.

People could be more spontaneous. Sex would be more joyful. People would be less repressed.

Did it happen?

Separating the sexual act from conception has degraded the meaning of sex, caused it to lose its significance.

Instead of being special, a sign of love and commitment reserved for husbands and wives, it is now commonplace.

When something becomes commonplace it loses its allure. Ice cream and cake, for example, are special if reserved for birthdays. If eaten all the time, they are boring, even damaging.

The pill has meant that sex is meaningless, the stuff of sit-coms and lurid talk shows.

In our modern world sex has nothing to do with making babies. It also has very little to do with making love. The surreal “Sex in the City” world has turned everyone into a sex object, because sex is seen as an act without meaning or consequence.

It has more to do with giving pleasure to the self than showing love for the other.

Faith & Precedent DOUGLAS KMIEC guest columnist

by goldenrod and purple sage.

Oh yes, September arrives, but bathed in the true light of faith and God’s seasons, the mind is reassured.

The sprinkled dew of Our Lady’s August yields to September’s moist condensation on front-porch swings.

The harvest season is open. And I am ready.

Soon enough will come the feast day of St. Michael near September’s end.

Michael, it will be recalled, is the good Lord’s “great harvester” who, when all our final seasons are at end, will lead the worthy to paradise.

Tony Snow and Tim Russert, friends who began the summer with us, are gone.

In one case God gave notice; in the other, he did not.

Like the child within my memory who mistakenly thought summer’s end could be resisted, neither man knew his moment and both likely planned — as we all pretend to do — beyond it.

In the passing of each season, we come to appreciate how our lives progress in God’s time, not our own. If we are accepting of that, we lose none of our summer days. Instead, we gain the restful reassurance of even greater times to come.

Parish Diary FATHER PETER DALY cns columnist

Forty years ago the advocates for contraception said that it would mean fewer unwanted children. There would be less child abuse and neglect because children would be more wanted since they were more “planned.”

Ironically, today children seem less wanted. They are seen not as gifts from God but as financial burdens. Television reporters do stories on the “total cost” of raising a child as if children could be compared to buying a boat or second home.

With the ability to prevent pregnancy came the presumption that you should prevent pregnancy. Babies are now regarded as a burden. Large families are regarded with derision even in Catholic circles.

Birth control has led to an anti-child mentality. When a woman today begins to show with a third or fourth pregnancy, people ask her, “Did you make a mistake, dear?”

Forty years ago there was an explosion in the church over “Humanae Vitae.” Now that the dust has begun to settle a bit, it seems that secular culture was wrong about many of its claims for birth control.

It helps to take the long view. Maybe that is God’s view?

God calls all people to holiness, to be saints, says pope

The Pope Speaks POPE BENEDICT XVI CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — All people are called to holiness, and having extraordinary gifts does not make someone a greater saint than someone else, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“Precisely the ‘normal’ saints are the kind of saints God wants,” the pope said Aug. 20 at his weekly general audience.

“Holiness is not a luxury. It is not the privilege of a few, something impossible for a normal person,” the pope told an estimated 4,000 people gathered at the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

Holiness, he said, “is the common destiny of all people called to be children of God; it is the universal vocation of all the baptized.”

Pope Benedict said the summer holidays are a perfect time to pick up a biography or the writings of a saint, but that the church’s calendar also gives Catholics a daily opportunity to contemplate a saint.

“Naturally, not all saints are equal,” he said. They are different from one another like rays of “divine light” that have passed through a prism, he said.

“And a great saint is not necessarily one who possesses extraordinary charisms. In fact, there are many whose names are known to God alone because on earth they led an apparently normal life,” he said.

The example of the so-called normal saints proves that when one has a close relationship with God he or she is filled with joy and peace and becomes a source of serenity and optimism for others, the pope said. By canonizing some of the holy men and women who have lived throughout the centuries and by remembering them at feast-day Masses, the church proposes them as examples for all Catholics, the pope said.

“Cultivating a knowledge of and devotion to the saints, alongside daily meditation on the word of God and a filial love toward the Blessed Mother” is “important and profitable,” he said.

Pope Benedict highlighted some of the saints whose feasts fall Aug. 19-23: John Eudes, Bernard of Clairvaux, Pius X and Rose of Lima.

The pope mentioned the four saints, but focused specifically on St. Pius, “who, in a difficult period, led the church and renewed the liturgy, in that way renewing the church from the inside.”

In addition to encouraging the frequent reception of the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist, St. Pius was particularly strong in insisting on proper decorum during the celebration of the Mass.

He highlighted the beauty of Gregorian chant and encouraged efforts to ensure the faithful could participate actively in the Mass by singing.

August 22, 2008

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