Sept. 18, 2009

September 18, 2009

The Catholic News & Herald 1

www.charlottediocese.org

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Perspectives Lessons in brevity; Blogging in the church; The Pope Speaks

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI

| Page 15

september 18, 2009

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

‘The Donut Man’ satisfies a hunger

Journey to the Priesthood

Seminarian ordained to transitional diaconate

CHARLOTTE — With his parents and five of his 14 siblings proudly watching, Gabriel Salazar-Carvajal was ordained to the transitional diaconate on Saturday, Sept.

12 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis celebrated the morning Mass along with ten diocesan priests.

The bi-lingual Mass featured the choir from Deacon Caravajal’s home parish, Our Lady of Lourdes in Monroe, as well as cantor Joan Kelley of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.

The music was conducted by Dr. Larry Stratemeyer of St. Patrick Cathedral.

Carvajal is a seminarian for the diocese who completed

by DAVID HAINS Director of Communication

See DONUT, page 4

no. 39

by DAVID HAINS Director of Communication

Interview with Catholic singer, storyteller CHARLOTTTE — Rob Evans, “The Donut Man,” is the featured presenter for the Children’s Track of the Eucharistic Congress to be held Sept. 25-26 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Evans lives in Philadelphia and performs about 200 concerts around the world each year. Since beginning his ministry in 1986, he has sold more than six-million CDs and videos.

His presentations combine songs and storytelling that explain to children God’s plan of salvation and his presence

vOLUME 18

Photo by David Hains

Deacon Gabriel Salazar-Carvajal receives the Book of the Gospels from Bishop Peter J. Jugis during Carvajal’s ordination to the transitional diaconate at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte Sept. 12.

Re-examining relationships with God

‘Sacrifice of enduring love’

Eucharistic congress at National Shrine

by LAURA WRIGHT catholic news service

cns photo by

Nancy Wiechec

Cardinals Marc Ouellet of Quebec, Justin Rigali of Philadelphia and Sean P. O’Malley of Boston celebrate the opening Mass of the eucharistic congress sponsored by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington Sept. 11. The congress theme was the Eucharist in the context of Christian vocations to the priesthood, religious life and marriage.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Hundreds of people poured into the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Sept. 11 and 12 for a eucharistic congress sponsored by the Council of Major Superiors of

Parish community relationships strengthened through sacraments

Women Religious.

Pilgrims from across the country came to worship Jesus in the Eucharist, listen to talks given by the head of the Knights of Columbus and the daughter of St. Gianna Molla, and see fireworks shoot into the sky next to the shrine. They also

HENDERSONVILLE — The “Time of Grace” retreat, held Sept. 6-9 at Immaculate Conception Church in

See SACRIFICE, page 6

See RETREAT, page 14

by

KATHLEEN HEALY SCHMIEDER correspondent

6 days until the

Culture Watch

Around the diocese

Word to Life; Vietnamese music in New Orleans

Students attend Stanford leadership class; Filipino rosary groups

| Page 11

See ORDINATION, page 5

| Pages 12

Eucharistic Congress September 25 & 26

www.goEucharist.com See pages 7 — 10, 16.

September 18, 2009

2 The Catholic News & Herald

InBrief

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

Spiritual soldiers

cns photo by Jessica

Weinstein

Cpl. Andrew Roy Jr., of Holy Family Parish in Watertown, N.Y., gives a lesson on Catholic teaching to troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base Airborne in Afghanistan. Roy said he had struggled with understanding and embracing his faith for most of his life until this deployment to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division.

Spiritual oasis in an Afghan desert Soldier’s faith takes root, spreads during deployment in Afghanistan FOB AIRBORNE, Afghanistan (CNS) — On a recent starlit night in eastern Afghanistan, five U.S. soldiers and two civilians spread out under a tent, sitting on leather couches and wooden plank benches to discuss the doctrine of the real presence in the Eucharist.

Cpl. Andrew Roy Jr. of Holy Family Parish in Watertown, N.Y., read aloud from a computer outline on a flatscreen television in the chapel at FOB Airborne. He reviewed the history of Gnostics and councils that have long debated the real-presence doctrine of the Roman Catholic faith.

In May, this stocky soldier with clear blue eyes and a forceful voice was not wearing a wooden rosary over his chest as he was that night. Instead, he was in the throes of a spiritual journey that led him from being agnostic to a devout Roman Catholic.

In the desert of Afghanistan, his spiritual fervor offers an oasis of religious discussion and dialogue about faith and the church.

Roy, who never made it past his first Communion to confirmation until adulthood, struggled with understanding and embracing his faith for most of his life until this deployment to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division.

“In May, he was bringing in books to disprove God’s existence, and now he’s willing to fight for it,” said the Rev. Jeff Masengale, a captain and a Southern Baptist chaplain.

Over a three-month period, discussions between the two men led Roy back to his Catholic roots.

Recently, he decided to turn his private

research into a catechism class for other soldiers on this forward operating base, or FOB. Three Protestants and three Catholics came to Roy’s class. They peppered him with questions as he moved through his outline, sharing the debate within the early church on the concepts of real presence and transubstantiation.

Despite the divisions of church doctrine and tradition represented by this group, the discourse was civil and full of laughter.

“When you come from various Protestant backgrounds, there’s a lot of stereotypes,” said Spc. Gregory Gates, a nondenominational Christian from Youngstown, Ohio.

“Actually what I’ve been learning is that these stereotypes aren’t necessarily so. It’s good to hear from someone who’s actually Catholic what the Catholic Church really believes, and it has encouraged me to study the Bible more and search for myself what I believe is true in the word of God,” he said.

“If now they are forming questions about the faith – maybe they will come to Catholicism,” said Roy. So each night, Roy closes with the following prayer: “Thank you Lord for these people who are interested in learning (more about you). Despite our differences, we thank you that we all believe in one Savior.”

And before the night is over, he encourages participants to bring more students.

“You’ll get a free catechism,” he jokes. “How can you go wrong?”

USCCB, CHA officials encouraged by Obama’s address on health care WASHINGTON (CNS) — President Barack Obama’s pledge to continue the ban on the use of federal funds for abortion and to maintain conscience protections for health care workers in any health reform legislation was welcomed by two officials of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the president of the Catholic Health Association.

Speaking with Catholic News Service Sept. 10, hours after Obama addressed a joint session of Congress and a nationwide television audience, Kathy Saile, director of domestic social development in the USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, said the president’s address offered an encouraging sign that the administration has been listening to concerns raised by the bishops and pro-life organizations about abortion funding in any reform legislation.

Citing the bishops’ long-standing belief that all Americans must have

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

ASHEVILLE VICARIATE ARDEN — The fall Women’s Program at St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Dr., will be held Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The program will be based on the Book of Esther and providence. The program will begin with a prayer experience of Lectio Divina.

Presentations will be given by lay members of the Discalced Carmelites and the Fraternity of St. Dominic along with personal reflections on providence given by local parishioners. The program is free and includes lunch and door prizes. There will be a raffle to help defray expenses. All women are welcome. To RSVP, contact Marcia Torres at (828) 697-1235, or email johnandmarciatorres@yahoo.com.

CHARLOTTE VICARIATE CHARLOTTE — The fall 2009 Kick-off vigil for the 40 Days for Life will be held at St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Rd., Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. 40 Days for Life is a nationwide, pro-life campaign seeking to end abortion through prayer and fasting, community outreach and a peaceful vigil outside of a local abortion

access to quality, affordable health care, Saile said the president’s speech must be followed up with the appropriate changes in legislation currently pending in both houses of Congress.

As currently written, the leading piece of legislation in the House, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, known as H.R. 3200, allows for federal funding of abortion.

Language continues to be worked on in Senate reform measures.

Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, echoed Saile in a statement released Sept. 10.

“We believe that incorporating essential and long-standing federal laws on these issues into any new proposal will strengthen support for health care reform,” Doerflinger said, pledging to work with Congress and the White House to ensure that current legislation is amended. facility. The campaign runs Sept. 23 through Nov. 1 and will be held outside of “A Preferred Women’s Health Center,” 3220 Latrobe Dr., 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. For more information, contact Brian or Angela Williams at (704) 8477311 or e-mail angiegirl67@yahoo.com.

CHARLOTTE — A Post Abortion Support Group using exercises of St. Ignatius will be starting at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. This is a 31-week program which follows the Liturgical calendar. The exercises will consist of meeting once per week in addition to being assigned daily scriptural meditations. The group will meet on Wednesday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m. in Room NLC 204, starting Sept. 23 and running through April 28. For more information, contact Christy at (704) 293-6602 or Andrea at (704) 996-4597. Confidentiality assured.

CHARLOTTE — A presentation on Our Lady of Fatima and Holy Mary and Islam will take place at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd., Oct. 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Speakers will be Father Christopher Roux, rector of St. Patrick Cathedral, and Mike Sullivan, president of Catholics United for the Faith in Steubenville, Ohio. Light refreshments will be served after the talks. Come for fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ while we learn some fascinating facts about our Blessed Mother. For more information, contact Elizabeth Keating at ewkeating4@aol.com or Mary Sample at marysample5@aol.com or call (704) 341-9292.

CHARLOTTE — Anyone interested in learning more about the Secular Franciscan Order and how to become a part of this group is invited to attend an informational meeting at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Rd. There will be concurrent sessions in English and Spanish on Sunday, Oct. 10 at 10 am. For more information, contact David Romero at (704) 877-5505.

september 18, 2009 Volume 18 • Number 39

Publisher: Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Interim Editor: Heather Bellemore 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.

September 18, 2009

The Catholic News & Herald 3

FROM THE VATICAN

Long-term clean-energy initiatives “Brothers and sisters Vatican installs solar collectors for heating, cooling buildings VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As part of its long-term clean-energy initiatives, the Vatican has installed hightech solar collectors to help heat and cool its buildings.

The installation came about a year after the tiny city-state turned the roof of its Paul VI audience hall into a giant solar-power generator to produce energy for the Vatican’s power grid.

The new solar collectors will help the Vatican diversify the ways it develops its renewable energy program, said Pier Carlo Cuscianna, director of technical services for Vatican City.

In an article that appeared Sept. 11 in the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, Cuscianna said the new solar collectors are on three different rooftops inside Vatican City.

Two-inch-wide tubes snake across 110 solar collectors, which cover 3,767 square feet, he said.

Through a process called absorption cooling, the hot thermal energy produced can be used to cool buildings in the summer, he said.

Using the sun’s intense heat in the summer to produce cool air inside a building is “a very valuable application” available with today’s new technologies, he said.

Cuscianna said the new heating and cooling units are reliable, quiet and compact and require very low maintenance. With their use, about 80 tons of carbon dioxide emissions will be avoided and another 80 tons of petroleum will be saved each year, he said.

CHARLOTTE — A monthly Respect Life Mass will be celebrated Sept. 26 at 9 a.m. at St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Rd. Following Mass there is exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the opportunity to pray a rosary at a local abortion facility. The morning will conclude with Benediction. For more information, contact Danielle Mathis at tmathis3@carolina.rr.com.

leadership. Join us for a three-part program including a large screen DVD presentation and small group discussions with parents and facilitators. For more information, contact Mary Beth Young at yrmarybeth@aol.com.

GREENSBORO VICARIATE GREENSBORO — Free Spanish classes will be offered at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4145 Johnson St., every Thursday for eight weeks beginning Sept. 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Beginner and advanced classes are open to everyone and class materials are furnished. For information or to register, call Nancy at (336) 884-0522 or email Dr. Kwan at Hlkwan@lexcominc.net.

SALISBURY VICARIATE SALISBURY — Catholic Daughters of the Americas is seeking Catholic women ages 18 and up to join the organization. The Catholic Daughters were founded in 1903 by the Knights of Columbus and now have more than 95,000 members worldwide. Courts in the Diocese of Charlotte are located in Charlotte, Asheville, Statesville, Salisbury, Greensboro and Sylva.

Membership is open to all Catholic women. For more information, contact Essie Walker at (704) 577-7436.

WINSTON-SALEM VICARIATE WINSTON-SALEM — A presentation entitled Take Back Your Family Time, offered by Dr. William Doherty, will take place in the Bishop Begley Parish Center of St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale Ave., Sept. 29. Light refreshments will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m. followed by the program at 7 p.m. Many of today’s families suffer from time famine and parental anxiety. Dr. Doherty discusses the problem of over-scheduled kids and underconnected families. He gets to the heart of the issues and encourages parents to regain their

Episcopal

calendar

W I N S TO N - S A L E M — T h e S e c u l a r Franciscans of the Fraternity of St. Clare is sponsoring a Blessing of the Animals Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 1730 Link Rd. All caged or leashed pets welcome.

For more information, call Anne Modrow at (336) 760-1938.

CLEMMONS — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Thursday in the Curlin Center of Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd., from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information contact Carole at pinmoney@bellsouth.net.

in humanity”

Vatican says Christians, Muslims should unite against poverty VAT I C A N C I T Y ( C N S ) — Christians and Muslims share concern and compassion for those suffering in poverty and can find common ground to work toward eradicating both the causes and the problems it creates, the Vatican said.

In its traditional message to Muslims at the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue called attention to poverty as “a subject at the heart of the precepts that, under different beliefs, we all hold dear.”

As “brothers and sisters in humanity,” the letter said, people of both faiths can help the poor “establish their place in the fabric of society.”

The letter, published Sept. 11, was signed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the pontifical council, and Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, council secretary. It emphasized that in addition to the suffering endured by the poor the consequences of poverty on society as a whole are dire and require the attention of all people of faith.

“We all know that poverty has the power to humiliate and to engender intolerable sufferings,” the letter said.

“It can provoke hostile actions using any available means, even seeking to justify them on religious grounds.”

This is why “confronting the phenomenon of extremism and violence necessarily implies tackling poverty through the promotion of integral human development,” the letter said, citing a concept promoted by Pope Paul VI in his 1967 encyclical, “Populorum Progressio.”

The origin of poverty lies in “the lack of respect for the innate dignity of solidarity and calls us to a global solidarity,” the letter said.

As believers, it continued, Muslims and Christians can work together “for a just and durable solution to the scourge of poverty,” while also “reflecting on the grave problems of our times.”

The letter acknowledged that steps had been made in improving ChristianMuslim relations and that in many parts of the world “we have passed from tolerance to a meeting together, beginning with common lived experience and real shared concerns.”

This year’s Ramadan period began Aug. 21 and was to finish Sept. 19.

Faith and art

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) 9987503.

WINSTON-SALEM — 40 Days for Life, a nationwide, pro-life campaign seeking to end abortion through prayer and fasting, community outreach and a peaceful vigil outside of a local abortion facility, will be held in Winston-Salem Sept. 23 - Nov. 1. The campaign will take place on Maplewood Ave. near Planned Parenthood from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

For more information, visit the website at www.40daysforlife.com/Winstonsalem.

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:

Sept. 19 (5 p.m.)

Sacrament of confirmation Basilica of St. Lawrence, Asheville

Sept. 25-26 Eucharistic Congress Charlotte Convention Center

Sept. 20 (5:30 p.m.)

Sacrament of confirmation St. Eugene Church, Asheville

Sept. 29 Episcopal ordination of Bishop-Elect Luis Zarama, Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta

cns photo by Rafael

Marchante, Reuters

Award-winning Italian composer Ennio Morricone conducts during the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco, in this May 15 file photo. Morricone is among hundreds of artists Pope Benedict XVI has invited to the Vatican for a dialogue on faith and art in November.

Pope to meet artists in Sistine Chapel to rekindle faith-art dialogue VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has invited hundreds of artists to meet with him in the Vatican in an attempt to rekindle the special historical relationship between faith and art.

More than 500 personalities from the worlds of art, theater, literature and music have been asked to gather with the

pope under the legendary Michelangelo frescoes in the Sistine Chapel Nov. 21.

Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, said the meeting was to be the first of many initiatives aimed at bridging the gap that has developed between spirituality and artistic expression over the last century or so.

4 The Catholic News & Herald

FROM THE COVER

September 18, 2009

Catholic singer, storyteller entertains children DONUT, from page 1

in the sacraments. Paraphrasing a Gospel passage Evans calls himself, “a fisher of little men.” He spoke recently with David Hains of The Catholic News & Herald about his ministry and the Eucharistic Congress. His responses have been edited for brevity.

As the name implies, the emphasis of the Eucharist Congress is the Eucharist.

How will your presentation reflect that?

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic faith. We begin with the covenant of creation and then the greatest covenant of all, the sacrifice of the Eucharist. There isn’t a concert that goes by that I’m not eucharistic.

Why “The Donut Man,” why not “The Cruller Guy,” or “The Sticky Bun Dude?”

Donuts make me cry. They are good, but they have something missing. So every concert alludes to a donut which I discovered is an edible object lesson for the state of man. I am harkening back to St. Augustine himself who

said there is a God-shaped vacuum in every man that only God can fill. So, as “The Donut Man” I present the Gospel and ask what fills that empty place in us? Well of course it is Jesus Christ who comes to us in the sacraments of the holy Catholic Church. I think it’s urgent that children understand which (passages of) holy Scripture elaborate on the core sacraments of the Catholic Church.

H o w w i l l y o u p re s e n t t h a t message to the children at the Eucharistic Congress?

I am looking forward to using music, stories and songs to help children consider the holy Scriptures from the inside out. For example, the parable of the mustard seed is sung by the mustard seed and (the children) are the seed.

The story of Daniel and the Lion’s den is sung by the Lion and the children are the Lion.

What is it like in the room when you are leading several hundred children in song and storytelling?

It’s what gets me out of bed in the morning. Praising God is such a joy; seeing a room full of children, their life and enthusiasm is something that I

ALL BISHOP McGUINNESS FORMER FACULTY AND STAFF! Bishop McGuinness is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this school year and we are looking for former faculty and staff members. You are a very important part of the school’s history and we would love for you to attend some of our events and join in the celebration.

If you taught or worked at Bishop McGuinness High School please contact the school’s Advancement Office at 336-564-1009 or send an email to ps@bmhs.us to provide us with your current contact information (mailing address, phone number, email address). We look forward to hearing from you! Bishop Pride!!!

courtesy photo

Rob Evans “The Donut Man” will appear in the Children’s Track of the Eucharistic Congress, Sept 26. capture. They come up on stage and help me. They become the wind and the rain, for example, in the parable of the wind and the rain. My presentations live or die by their enthusiastic participation.

I understand “The Donut Man” has a companion.

I do. My little buddy is a puppet named Duncan the talking donut. He is

someone who is sweet but he is also a bit of a gadfly who says unspeakable things like, “I don’t want to clean my bedroom,” “I don’t want to be good,” and “I don’t want to listen.” He gives voice to those temptations that we actually have to cope with. I teach the children how to help Duncan to be good by addressing his temptation with the Holy Spirit, the Word of God and the sacraments.

Save $100- register Now!

September 18, 2009

around the diocese

The Catholic News & Herald 5

Celebrating service, renewing vows

photo by david hains

Newly ordained transitional deacon Gabriel Salazar-Carvajal is pictured with his parents and five of his 14 siblings. His father Heron Carvajal is pictured on his right with his mother, Maria Olivia Salazar, on his left.

Seminarian ordained to transitional diaconate

courtesy photo

ORDINATION, from page 1

A priest and two religious sisters, who have a total of 137 years of religious service among them, renewed their vows during a special Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington Sept. 12.

Sisters of Providence Katherine Francis (right), celebrating 40 years, and Betty Paul, celebrating 44 years, were honored along with Salesian Father Albert Gondek, pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, who has served as an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales for 53 years.

The two sisters and the priest are pictured with Father A.J. Gallant and Knights of Columbus honor guard representatives Thomas Fabyjanski and Ralph Schwartz.

his seminary training at the Pontifical University in his native Mexico in June. Prior to entering the seminary he worked as a lay missionary in Mexico.

He also attended Immaculate Conception seminary in Huntington, N.Y. Carvajal jokingly says that he was encouraged in his vocation by Father Mark Lawlor, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte. “I asked him to come and bless my home,” said Carvajal, “but when he learned how many brothers and sisters I had, he said, ‘If you go to the seminary you can bless all of their homes.’”

“I am very grateful to God for his guidance in my vocation,” said Carvajal. “I look forward to my new responsibilities.”

Carvajal also credits Father Ricardo Sanchez of Our Lady of the Americas Church in Biscoe for guidance in his vocation.

After the Mass, Deacon Carvajal posed for pictures with his proud parents and five of his brothers as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. Carvajal

is the oldest of 15 children; many of his 12 brothers and two sisters live in the Monroe area.

“I want this to be the beginning of a great journey for him,” said his father Heron Carvajal through an interpreter. “I feel closer to God today.”

The role of the deacon is defined as being a servant. In his homily, delivered especially to Carvajal from a chair in front of the altar, Bishop Jugis emphasized the role of service in the life of a deacon.

“Jesus came not to be served, but to serve,” said Bishop Jugis “This is the model for your diaconate: Jesus, the servant of all.”

The service of a transitional deacon includes the ministry of the Word, the ministry of the altar and the ministry of charity. Deacon Carvajal assisted Bishop Jugis in the preparation of the gifts of bread and wine that were changed into the Eucharist.

After several months in the transitional diaconate, a candidate for the priesthood petitions the bishop for ordination.

Deacon Carvajal joins transitional deacons David Miller and John Eckert, who were ordained in April. Deacon Carvajal is currently assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lenoir.

The next priestly ordination for the diocese will take place in June 2010.

6 The Catholic News & Herald

September 18, 2009

In THe News

A saint’s daughter Laura Molla’s mother sacrificed life for unborn child by

CAROL ZIMMERMANN catholic news service

cns photo by

Nancy Wiechec

North American archbishops join the entrance procession at the opening Mass of the eucharistic congress sponsored by women religious at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington Sept. 11. Following the altar servers are Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, archbishop of Boston, and Cardinal Marc Ouellet, archbishop of Quebec. At left is Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, superior of the Sisters for Life.

Eucharistic congress at National Shrine SACRIFICE, from page 1

attended workshops held throughout the day Sept. 12. The theme of the gathering was “Sacrifice of Enduring Love.”

Before the opening Mass began on the evening of Sept. 11, hundreds of sisters in many different colored habits filled a large portion of the center pews in the basilica’s Upper Church.

Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, who delivered the homily at the Mass, said the key to understanding the Eucharist is to understand how Jesus was “motivated by a great love for his Father.”

There is an “explicit connection between Calvary and Christ’s love for his Father,” the cardinal said. “We are here to acknowledge the power of his blood, ...the sacrifice our Lord, Jesus Christ offered for us on Calvary.”

Concelebrating the Mass with Cardinal Rigali were Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec; Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston; Cardinal William W. Baum, retired archbishop of Washington; current Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl; Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Arlington, Va.; Washington Auxiliary Bishops Francisco Gonzalez, Martin D. Holley and Barry C. Knestout; and nearly 40 priests.

Archbishop Wuerl said what brings people to the eucharistic congress is the knowledge that the “central work of (the church’s) salvation becomes really present” in the Eucharist.

Following the Mass, Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, said the Eucharist is a “living sign of a spiritual reality.”

“The Eucharist reaches every corner

of every life,” he said. “Each of us has some vocation, the vocation to love. If God is love, and the Eucharist is the face of God’s love, it makes sense to take the Eucharist inside ourselves because we become more loving.”

Anderson also spoke about vocations, and the need to live a joyfilled life so others can see the beauty of the priesthood, consecrated life and married life.

It is “not scandal, but joylessness,” that is responsible for the lack of vocations, he said.

Students from Oklahoma State University and the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma flew across the country to attend the eucharistic congress.

Beth Willis, a junior at Oklahoma State University, said she came to see St. Gianna Molla’s daughter, Laura Molla. She also came to discern her vocation and grow in faith and love for the Eucharist.

“That is the source and summit of our lives,” she said. Participating in Mass and sitting in front of the tabernacle can “be a release,” she added.

Joan Nuttall, a junior at University of Tulsa, said she also came to learn more about the Eucharist.

She said she hopes to learn “something about how to apply (the Eucharist) in my daily life.” Nuttall added that sometimes after Mass dismissal, she doesn’t use the grace given to her in the Eucharist as much as she could. She hoped to learn more about how to do this at the eucharistic congress.

Lynne Jakobowski, whose husband served in the Knights of Columbus honor guard at the Mass, said the Eucharist brings her peace and closeness with God. Later that evening, families, priests and sisters gathered outside the shrine to pray, sing and watch a fireworks display.

WASHINGTON (CNS) – Many people might say their mothers are saints but very few have an official church declaration to back it up.

Fifty-year-old Laura Molla, daughter of St. Gianna Beretta Molla, is one of those people.

Molla addressed participants at a Eucharistic Congress at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington sponsored by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious. The theme of the Sept. 11-12 congress was “Sacrifice of Enduring Love.”

St. Gianna, often called the “prolife saint,” was canonized in 2004 by Pope John Paul II for having put her unborn child’s life before her own. In 1962, when she was pregnant with her fourth child, doctors discovered a large ovarian tumor that required surgery.

Although surgical procedures at the time called for removal of her entire uterus, Gianna Molla, 39, insisted surgeons remove only what was necessary and allow her baby to live.

She pleaded with family and doctors: “If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate. Choose the child, I insist on it, save the baby.”

When she died of an infection – a week after giving birth to Gianna Emanuela – the Italian saint left behind not only her newborn, but also her husband, Pietro, and three other children including Laura, who was just shy of her third birthday.

“We had to work through the shock of losing our mother to find the joy in knowing she is a mother for all,” Molla told Catholic News Service Sept. 11, the day before the congress.

Molla, who now works in the furniture business in Italy, said she has learned a lot about how her mother

juggled a career as a medical doctor with being a wife and mother.

She described being a saint’s daughter as “a great joy and a huge privilege,” and added that she often asks herself if she’s “worthy of this privilege.”

As she sees it, her mother ’s decision nearly 50 years ago was not an isolated choice. She told participants at the Eucharistic Congress Sept. 12 that her mother’s action was “the crowning of a whole life of virtue, a life lived constantly in the light of the Gospel as a young woman, physician, spouse and mother.”

When she hears people question the choice to leave behind three children in order to give birth to a fourth, Molla insists her mother was convinced her unborn child had the same right to live as her other children.

“She did not choose death,” but “at that moment she chose the life of her child.”

cns photo

St. Gianna Beretta Molla is pictured on a family outing with daughter Laura in an undated photo.

The Italian mother, who sacrificed her own life for the life of her child, was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2004.

September 18, 2009

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

The Catholic News & Herald 7

5th Diocesan Eucharistic Congress SEPTEMBER 25–26, 2009 CHARLOTTE CONVENTION CENTER

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I invite you to participate in our Eucharistic Congress on Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Charlotte Convention Center. During this past year, the Eucharistic Congress committee has devoted many hours of selfless labor to prepare for this joyful event, and I am grateful for the service they have given to the Lord and to the Church.

The Eucharistic Congress is a time of spiritual renewal for the whole diocese. Our faith is strengthened when we come together with our brothers and sisters from across the diocese. The Catholic population of our diocese is only about three percent of the total population, but our coming together at the Eucharistic Congress reminds us that the Church is a big family after all, and that we have many brothers and sisters throughout the 46 counties of the diocese who share our faith.

Our faith and our love for the Lord are strengthened when we join thousands of our brothers and sisters in the eucharistic procession through the streets of Charlotte. Our faith is also strengthened when we join thousands of our brothers and sisters in the eucharistic Holy Hour of adoration and in the Vigil Mass at the close of the congress. We see how marvelously the Eucharist brings us together as one. We, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one Eucharistic Lord. The Eucharist strengthens our unity as a diocesan family, and makes us grow in faith and charity.

The holy card for this year’s congress depicts the mystery of the Annunciation, when the archangel Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin that she was to be the Mother of God. This holy card was chosen because it illustrates the theme of the Eucharistic Congress: “The Word Became Flesh and Made His Dwelling Among Us.” In the mystery of the Annunciation, the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the mystery of the Eucharist, the Word continues to make his dwelling among us as he changes bread into his flesh and wine into his blood.

Christ is really and substantially present in the Holy Eucharist.

He is truly dwelling among us.

This year’s congress begins on Friday evening, Sept. 25 with a concert of sacred music, followed by an inspiring keynote address by Immaculée Ilibagiza. After her talk, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament begins at 10 p.m. for all night adoration at St. Peter Catholic Church.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, we start the day with a Eucharistic procession through uptown Charlotte. The procession goes from St. Peter Church to the convention center. After the procession, Bishop Felipe Estévez, the Auxiliary Bishop of Miami, will deliver the homily during the Holy Hour.

During the day we will hear from an array of very inspiring speakers — Father Tad Pacholczyk, Father Leo Patalinghug, Father Walter Lawson, Immaculée Ilibagiza, Maria de la defensa Michel, Milton Lopez and “The Donut Man.” Children, teens, adults and Hispanics have separate programs with messages specifically directed to them. Eucharistic adoration and the sacrament of confession are available during the day.

The day culminates with the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the convention center with everyone participating.

My brother priests will join me in the concelebration of the Eucharist. This Mass will fulfill your Sunday Mass obligation.

On the following pages you will find more detailed information, as well as a map of the procession route. Other information is available at the Web site www.goEucharist.com.

The Eucharistic Congress is a unique opportunity for us to come together each year in faith and love to proclaim Christ our savior.

I look forward to seeing you at this event, which is a great blessing for our diocese.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Bishop of Charlotte

8 The Catholic News & Herald

EUCHARISTIC in our schools CONGRESS

September 18, 2009

Eucharistic

Watching and participating in the eucharistic procession THE ROUTE The eucharistic procession, led by Bishop Peter J. Jugis, will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, at St. Peter Church, South Tryon Street and First Street. (First communicants with parent or guardian, clergy, religious and banner carriers should gather on Tryon Street south of St. Peter Church at 8:30 a.m.)

The procession will head north on Tryon Street for two blocks, then turn east onto Martin Luther King Boulevard for one block. The procession will then turn south onto College Street to the Charlotte Convention Center.

People of the Diocese of Charlotte are encouraged to line the procession route.

TO PARTICIPATE As the Blessed Sacrament comes near, it is the custom to be silent and kneel until the monstrance passes.

After the Blessed Sacrament passes by, look for your parish’s banner. When your parish banner passes by, you may fall in along with your parish to join in the procession. Once you have connected with your parish group, simply join in the communal prayers or just pray silently as the procession moves along.

When the procession arrives at the Charlotte Convention Center, move as directed by the ushers to enter the main hall. Proceed to the seating area, joining in the singing until the beginning of the Holy Hour.

Procession Map Legend PROCESSION STAGING AREA & PROCESSION CHECK-IN PROCESSION ENTRANCE INTO CONVENTION CENTER PROCESSION ROUTE PARKING

Frequently asked questions about the Eucharistic Congress What is the Eucharistic Congress?

The Eucharistic Congress is a teaching and worship event that is centered on the Eucharist, the source and summit of Catholic life.

What is the schedule of events?

The Congress begins Friday evening, Sept. 25, with a program of Sacred Music at the Charlotte Convention Center.

After the program, the Eucharist will be available for adoration throughout the night at St. Peter Catholic Church, 501 South Tryon Street in Charlotte.

The events of Saturday, Sept. 26, begin at 9 a.m. with the Eucharistic Procession forming at St. Peter Church on South Tryon St. Congress attendees are asked to position themselves along the procession route and to join the procession behind the church banners.

Programs or “Tracks” at the Congress are designed for different audiences: General, Hispanic, Children, Middle

School and High School. During the day, the Eucharist will be available for adoration in a special chapel in the Convention Center. Priests will be available for confessions all day and there will be an area for vendors selling religious merchandise and offering information about Catholic schools, vocations, etc.

The Congress concludes with a Vigil Mass that begins at 4:30 p.m.

Where does the idea for a eucharistic congress come from?

The first eucharistic congress was held in Lille, France, in 1881 under the direction of Msgr. Gaston De Segur. In time, eucharistic congresses developed to their present international character.

The congress of 1908, which met in London, was the first occasion on which a representative of the pope had entered England since the Protestant Reformation.

Two international eucharistic congresses

have been held in the United States — Chicago in 1926 and Philadelphia in 1976.

The Diocese of Charlotte celebrated its first eucharistic congress in September 2005.

Who is allowed to take part in the procession?

Everyone.

Leading the procession will be altar servers, first communicants, organized societies such as the Knights of Columbus, clergy and most importantly, the Eucharist.

Following the Eucharist will be banner carriers representing churches, schools and organizations in the Diocese

of Charlotte.

The faithful are invited to join the procession as the banners for their churches or organizations pass by.

What if I am handicapped or unable to walk in the procession?

The Charlotte Convention Center is handicapped-accessible. In addition, individuals with handicaps and those who choose not to walk in the procession are invited to witness part of the procession on the video screens in the Convention Center. For those who are hearing impaired a sign language interpreter will sign all joint services in Hall A as well as the General Track speakers in Hall A. Seating in the front rows will be reserved

September 18, 2009

EUCHARISTIC from theCONGRESS cover

Procession

The Catholic News & Herald 9

Directions to the Eucharistic Congress Directions from Interstate 77 At exit 9, turn RIGHT onto Ramp I-277 / US-74 / Wilkinson Blvd / John Belk Frwy / West Blvd At exit 9B, take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-277 N/US-74 E / John Belk Frwy Turn RIGHT onto Ramp College St / Caldwell St / Downtown Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto S College St College St / Downtown Arrive Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202, (704) 339-6000 Directions from Interstate 85-North At exit 36 of Interstate 85-North, turn RIGHT onto Ramp NC-16 / Brookshire Blvd / US-74 E / Downtown Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto SR-16 [Brookshire Blvd] NC-16 / Charlotte / Bank of America Stadium Road name changes to I-277 [SR-16] At exit 1E, turn RIGHT onto Ramp Stonewall St / South Blvd / Kenilworth Ave Keep RIGHT to stay on Ramp Stonewall St / Kenilworth Ave Turn LEFT (North-West) onto E Stonewall St Turn RIGHT (North-East) onto S College St Arrive Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202, (704) 339-6000 Directions from Interstate 85-South At exit 38 of Interstate 85 South, turn RIGHT onto Ramp I-77 / US-21 / Statesville / Columbia Take Ramp (LEFT) onto I-77 [US-21] I-77 / US-21 / Columbia At exit 9, turn RIGHT onto Ramp I-277 / US-74 / Wilkinson Blvd / John Belk Frwy / West Blvd At exit 9C, keep LEFT to stay on Ramp At exit 9B, take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-277 [US-74] I-277 / US-74 / John Belk Frwy Turn RIGHT onto Ramp College St / Caldwell St / Downtown Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto S College St College St / Downtown Arrive Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202, (704) 339-6000

for the hearing impaired.

What if it rains?

The Eucharistic Congress will be held rain or shine. The procession may be moved into the Charlotte Convention Center, depending on the weather.

Where can I park?

The uptown area of Charlotte offers ample weekend parking. Visit GoEucharist.com for additional information.

What is being done to provide a secure environment for the children?

The Diocese of Charlotte is committed to the “Charter for the Protection of

Children and Young People” as adopted by the U.S. bishops.

All adult volunteers at the Eucharistic Congress who will have supervisory contact with children will be required to attend the diocesan training, “Protecting God’s Children.” Background checks will also be performed on any adult having supervisory contact with children.

Who is speaking at the Eucharistic Congress?

The list of dynamic, inspiring speakers can be accessed by visiting the speakers’ page of the Eucharistic Congress Web site at www.goEucharist. com and on page 10 of this issue of The Catholic News & Herald.

Will there be a Mass at the Eucharistic Congress?

Yes. A Vigil Mass will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Is there a charge to attend the Eucharistic Congress?

There is no charge for any of the events associated with the Eucharistic Congress. It is estimated that staging the congress costs approximately $30 per person who attends. The Diocese of Charlotte is accepting contributions to defray the cost of staging the congress.

There will be opportunities to donate at the Congress or donations can be made at www.goEucharist.com.

Will food be served?

The Charlotte Convention Center will offer a variety of foods for sale

throughout the day. Lunch will be provided at no charge for the youth attending the Children’s Track, Middle School Track and the High School Track.

Before and after the congress, attendees may want to take advantage of the many restaurants, hotels and attractions that are within easy walking distance of the Charlotte Convention Center.

10 The Catholic News & Herald

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Featured Events at the 2009 Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte Friday, Sept. 25 sacred music program 7 p.m.

Under the direction of Dr. Larry Stratemeyer, the Diocesan Choir will perform the following selections: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven, by Ferguson; Ave Maria, by Biebl (The Angelus); O Magnum Mysterium, Victoria O Great Mystery Sicut Cervus

by Palestrina, from Psalm 42; Locus Iste by Bruckner (This Place was Made

by God); Come Down O Love Divine

by Dietterich; Ave Verum Corpus by Plainsong Hail, true body; Ave Verum Corpus by Mozart Hail, true body; O God, Beyond All Praising by Proul.

Keynote Speaker 8:30 p.m.

“Prayer and Survival in the Rwandan Genocide” Immaculée Ilibagiza, Author of “Left to Tell” A living example of faith put into action, Immaculée’s life was transformed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide where she and seven other women spent 91 days huddled silently together in a cramped bathroom. Immaculée found solace and peace in prayer. Through prayer, she eventually found it possible to forgive her tormentors and her family’s murderers.

Saturday, Sept. 26 Holy Hour follows procession The Most Reverend Felipe Estévez Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Miami Holy Hour Homilist A Native of Cuba he oversees the archdiocese’s Ministry of Pastoral Services including family life, youth, campus, prison and Respect Life ministries, as well as all the apostolic movements.

Mass 4:30 P.M. The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Bishop of Charlotte Vigil Mass Celebrant and Homilist Bishop Jugis is a native of Charlotte.

Ordained in 1983, he served at parishes

Setember 18, 2009

throughout the diocese until 2003 when Pope John Paul II selected him as Charlotte’s fourth bishop.

General Track “Our Lady of Kibeho” Immaculée Ilibagiza, Author of Left to Tell 11:45 a.m.

In 1981 the Blessed Mother appeared to a group of children in Rwanda. Mary beseeched the children to pray to prevent a terrible war which was depicted in the vision as a river of blood. Within a decade Rwanda was plunged into a genocidal civil war. Our Lady of Kibeho is the only apparition of Our Lady in Africa approved by the Vatican!

“Grace Before Meals” Father Leo Patalinghug 1 p.m.

Tells how the simple act of creating and sharing a meal can strengthen all kinds of relationships. “Grace Before Meals” has grown from a simple idea to a worldwide movement. Father Leo, who is a member of the faculty of Mt. St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, is making his fourth appearance at the Eucharistic Congress.

“The Science and Ethics of Stem Cells and Cloning” Father Tad Pacholczyk 2:15 p.m.

Director of Education at the National Catholic Bioethics Center, he is the author of the column “Making Sense out of Bioethics” that appears in various diocesan newspapers. After earning a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Yale University, he subsequently studied in Rome where he did advanced studies in theology and in bioethics.

Spanish track “Predicamos a Cristo Crucificado” Padre Walter Lawson 11:30 a.m.

Father Walter G. Lawson was born at Colon City in Panama, Central America. He was ordained as a priest on Jan. 3, 2003. He currently serves as programming director for Radio Maria in New York City.

“Jesucristo y los más Necesitados” Maria de la Defensa Michel 1:30 p.m.

Maria de la Defensa Michel has a Master of Civil Engineering degree and is a homemaker who is deeply dedicated to spreading the Kingdom of God through apostolic ministry. She is the author of various books and publications, including Curriculum Points of Sexual Education for Adolescents. She has extensive experience in public speaking, principally at spiritual conventions and congresses.

“Jesucristo en la Vida del Laico” Milton Lopez 2:30 p.m.

Milton Lopez was born in the Republic of El Salvador. After a good Catholic education with the religious order of Marist Brothers, he immigrated to New York in 1970. After a personal encounter with Christ in May 1985, he was called to work in the New Evangelization. He has performed formation workshops in the United States and Latin America.

Children’s track “The Donut Man” Rob Evans Rob presents the Gospel in a way that introduces young children and their families to the basic elements of the Christian faith and gives them lots to talk about when they get home.

The Catholic News & Herald 11

September 18, 2009

Culture Watch

A roundup of Scripture, readings, films and more

WORD TO LIFE

Sunday Scripture Readings: Sept. 27, 2009

Sept. 27, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Traditional tunes

Cycle B Readings: 1) Numbers 11:25-29 Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14 2) James 5:1-6 3) Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Trading personal gain for personal holiness

by JEFF HENSLEY catholic news service cns photo/Beth

Donze, Clarion Herald

Luc Nguyen, a parishioner and music student at Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish in New Orleans, plays a piece on the bamboo xylophone in mid-August.

Music, universal language in New Orleans Catholic Vietnamese-American youths learn traditional Vietnamese music

by BETH DONZE catholic news service

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) – Thuy Mai Nguyen worked her 22-string zither like a magician, plucking out precise, chime-like notes with one hand, and using the other to apply varying degrees of pressure on the strings to make the notes reverberate.

The performance, held at Mary Queen of Vietnam Church in New Orleans, was part of a program of traditional Vietnamese music presented in August by 37 of the parish’s children, teenagers and young adults.

In addition to showcasing how far the students had progressed on their instruments, the concert was also a poignant farewell to instructors Bo Tran, Uyen-Tram Phan and Hanh Vuong, professional music teachers from Saigon who spent their summer teaching interested parishioners the flute, the bamboo xylophone and the two-stringed Vietnamese fiddle.

“Although I left Vietnam and went halfway around the world, I felt at home here,” said Phan, speaking through an interpreter after her students’ recital. “I remember a priest making a statement at one of the (non-Vietnamese) churches where we played: ‘Music is a universal language that somehow unites all people.’ Although our music is different, people can feel it and join in with it.

Music is a bridge,” she said.

“The knowledge of music among the students here was very high, so in a short period of time I was able to transfer a lot to them,” Vuong said, noting that her students – and the city itself – never allowed her to get homesick.

Boats moored along the Mississippi River reminded Vuong of river scenes from her native country, while Phan was struck by how older women at Mary Queen of Vietnam wore the traditional

Vietnamese headdress to Mass. The visitors were also cheered by the sight of the many fruits, gourds, herbs and trees that thrive in both New Orleans and Vietnamese gardens.

“The people of New Orleans were very welcoming and encouraging. They really enjoyed our music, so it was very heartwarming,” Tran told the Clarion Herald, archdiocesan newspaper of New Orleans.

At an archdiocesan prayer service for racial harmony at St. Maria Goretti Church in New Orleans this summer, the Vietnamese musicians contributed a haunting, Asian-imbued rendition of “The Prayer of St. Francis.” They also played on a rotating basis at a Mass each Sunday at Mary Queen of Vietnam.

“The gathering of the Vietnamese Catholics into a parish like (Mary Queen of Vietnam) is something very unique,” said Tran, citing his amazement at finding a Vietnamese community outside the borders of his native country still practicing its language and customs. The music teachers were amused by their pupils’ American-accented Vietnamese and impressed with the young people’s dedication to learning the intricacies of each instrument.

“We have a lot of parishioners who play the piano, guitar, organ and drums, but we really didn’t have anyone with knowledge of Vietnamese musical instruments until now,” said Father Vien The Nguyen, pastor of Mary Queen of Vietnam. Father Nguyen, who had always wanted to add a music component to his parish’s many cultural offerings, sought out the teachers after hearing Tran’s students performing at a Filipino refugee camp in 2002.

“People (at Mary Queen of Vietnam) are very surprised and happy that in two summers this level of proficiency could be achieved,” Father Nguyen said.

As I tried to think of good and holy people who had followed the advice of James to seek justice and avoid the selfish greed that would cause us to treat those who work for us unjustly, I came up with a fairly long list of names.

I found many still on the list when I added the requirement, spoken of in the psalm, of scrutinizing our behavior before God, even humbly imploring him to reveal our unrecognized sins, so that we might correct our behavior.

Some were men, some women, some lay people and some priests and deacons, along with a number of religious sisters and brothers.

But particularly prominent were

four priests of varied ages who had given up wealth and public acclaim and the privileges that go along with these things.

Each had been highly successful. Two had family money. Another previously had been at the top of his field, attaining an income that allowed him to drive a fancy sports car he had thought would bring him fulfillment but still left him wanting something more.

In this weekend’s Old Testament account, the Spirit of the Lord came on the two men who were not present when the Lord made his presence known to Moses and the 70 elders gathered in the tent.

In the same way, God had come to each of these priests, calling them out from their positions of privilege to pursue the higher good of serving God and his people. They responded by forsaking material wealth and the freedom to pursue personal gain so that they might speak God’s words to all people, encouraging others to grow in holiness and charity.

Jesus calls all of us to be his servants where we are, to act humbly and justly, to seek the personal holiness that the psalm and the Gospel speak of, to speak and live his words. And when we act as his disciples, he will treasure us as he treasured his first disciples to whom he said, “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE Scripture for the week of September 20-26 Sunday (Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Wisdom 2:12, 17-20, James 3:16--4:3, Mark 9:30-37; Monday (St. Matthew), Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, Matthew 9:9-13; Tuesday, Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 14-20, Luke 8:19-21; Wednesday (St. Pio of Pietrelcina), Ezra 9:5-9, Tobit 13:2-4, 6-8, Luke 9:1-6; Thursday, Haggai 1:1-8, Luke 9:7-9; Friday, Haggai 2:1-9, Luke 9:18-22; Saturday (St. Cosmas and Damian), Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15, Jeremiah 31:10-13, Luke 9:43-45.

Scripture for the week of September 27-October 3 Sunday (Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Numbers 11:25-29, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48; Monday (St. Wenceslaus, St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions), Zechariah 8:1-8, Luke 9:46-50; Tuesday (St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael), Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, John 1:47-51; Wednesday (St. Jerome), Nehemiah 2:1-8, Luke 9:57-62; Thursday (St. Thérèse of Lisieux), Nehemiah 8:1-12, Luke 10:1-12; Friday (The Guardian Angels), Baruch 1:15-22, Matthew 18:1-5,10; Saturday, Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29, Luke 10:17-24.

12 The Catholic News & Herald

September 18, 2009

around the diocese

Learning leadership

Marian devotion

courtesy photo

courtesy photo

This past summer, three St. Pius X School eighth-grade students, John Boyle, Joshua Markwell, and Harrison Plemmons, attended the 2009 Leadership University.

The conference, sponsored by youth leadership organization LeadAmerica, was held on the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif.

The students learned leadership skills such as team building, collaboration, negotiation, creative thinking and problem solving by practicing with realistic, hands-on scenarios.

The Leadership University aims to inspire and empower young people by instilling in them a sense of purpose, integrity and personal responsibility, according to Chris Salamone, founder and executive director of LeadAmerica.

Over the past 20 years, nearly 80,000 exceptional students from over 51 countries have attended the conferences.

The South Rosary Group of Charlotte is pictured during a devotion to the Blessed Mother in one of the group members’ homes Sept. 4.

Rosary groups have become popular among Filipino Catholics throughout the Diocese of Charlotte.

During the monthly celebrations, the Blessed Mother’s image is transferred from home to home and stays for one month in the house of the host family. The evening of prayer includes recitation of the rosary and novena devotion to the Santo Ni˜no, a traditional figure of the child of Jesus which originated in Cebu, Philippines. The celebrations also include a reflection on a faith issue as presented by some of the participants.

During the past 10 years more than eight rosary groups have formed among the Filipino Catholic community throughout the diocese. The groups are not formally affiliated with particular parishes, but all the groups collaborate with local pastors for festivals in May and October.

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September 18, 2009

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The Catholic News & Herald 13

14 The Catholic News & Herald

around the diocese

September 18, 2009

Retreat emphasizes personal relationships with God RETREAT, from page 1

Hendersonville, focused on renewal of commitment to the sacraments and the relationship we should have with Jesus through those sacraments.

Featured speaker Augustinian Father Michael P. Sulivan, of the Augustinian Preaching Apostolate at Villanova University, led the retreat in a theme of relationships.

The series was organized around four talks. “To Be Born Again” focused on baptism. “The Healing Love of Jesus” spoke of forgiveness and referred to the sacrament of reconciliation. “The Call to Be Church” included reflections about St. Peter and church leaders, as well as the relationships of marriage. “Our Response to Christ’s Call” focused on the sacraments of the Church, particularly the Eucharist.

Father Sulivan said that finding Catholic connections and celebrating beliefs held by the Catholic Church lead to development of more lasting and deeper relationships, first with Jesus, then with everyone we meet.

Father Sulivan, who celebrated 40 years in the priesthood on the final day of the retreat, has been working full-time with retreat work and parish renewal preaching since 1980.

“During high school, I went to Fordham Summer School of Catholic Action and admired the priests who were speaking,” said Father Sulivan. “I thought that one day I would like to do that, and after eight years as a parish priest, I asked my superiors if they would allow me to speak to groups of Catholics.”

During this one-year experience, Father Sulivan was given the opportunity to see if he could do anything with his passion for oration and preaching. It has since grown into a commitment that requires national travel to speak at

various parishes almost every week of the year.

With appearances scheduled three years in advance, Father Sulivan is a much-appreciated and in-demand speaker for Catholics eager to hear his humor and share in his enthusiasm for the faith.

Barbara Wilde, leader of the Evangelization Committee at the church was initially disappointed when Father Sulivan’s scheduled appearance in February had to be cancelled due to a snow storm in Hendersonville.

The initial disappointment was replaced with elation when the rescheduled event fell on Labor Day weekend. This meant more parish members, who typically reside in Florida during the winter months, would be able to attend.

“It has been a magnificent turnout, the church has been full,” said Wilde.

“He combines humor and tells us things we’ve known all our lives, but through these talks, he has us renewing our relationship with Jesus.”

Examining each sacrament, participants found themselves changed by the message, while hearing the Word of the Gospels on a personal level.

“There has been something every night,” said John DiFiore, a parishioner who attended with his wife. “It gave me a different attitude toward my marriage, toward people, and toward dealing with my anger.”

Throughout the retreat, Father Sulivan placed emphasis on renewing the relationship we have with Jesus and bringing that into the relationships we have with others.

“It’s been good seeing our church come together in community for a common purpose to deepen our relationship with Christ,” said Bob Lange, who leads Bible study classes at the church.

“This has caused us to re-examine where we are in our relationship with

A witness to faith Looking back 800 years, religious order sets sights on future

by ANDREW JUNKER catholic news service

PHOENIX (CNS) — Founded in 1210 by former Belgian crusader Blessed Theodore de Celles, the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross – or, more simply, the Crosiers – has shown an ability to reconstitute itself and adapt to the needs of the times over the past 800 years.

Crosier Father Tom Carkhuff

said that in recent years the order has found “a much better balance and appreciation” for the communal life, a boon for the Crosiers.

When looking to move their provincial headquarters to Phoenix in 2007, he said they saw an opportunity to help show locals an example of the religious life.

“When we were looking at the Valley, a big part was the witness of religious life,” he said. “That’s clearly

photo by Kathleen

Healy Schmeider

Featured speaker Augustinian Father Michael Sullivan walks the aisles of Immaculate Conception Church at the “Time of Grace” retreat in Hendersonville Sept. 6. Father Sullivan led the three-day retreat, noting that improved relationships with God ultimately enhance relationships in the community.

God,” said Joann Kelly, parishioner and retreat attendee. “We need to build a better relationship with God and that will lead to making our relationships with others better,” she said.

“It has opened our hearts about things we don’t really talk about during regular Mass,” added his wife Nancy Lange. “We are making sense of some of our everyday concerns and it has us thinking more about things beyond the moment.”

A reception was held at the conclusion of the retreat. Many of the hundreds who attended joined together for further fellowship. They sought ways to apply the lessons to the ministries throughout the communities in which they are already involved.

“Doing follow-up on this will make

one of the greatest gifts we and our men bring – whether it’s in the jail, in spiritual direction or in weekend liturgies.”

And as they look toward the future, the Crosiers hope to promote their religious life even more. They’ve begun a program called Companions of the Cross, where they train lay people in their charism.

“What I see there are men who are living the life they professed and doing it with joy, and there’s going to be enough visibility there of being able to draw people in to pray with us,” said Crosier Father Steven Henrich, prior of Phoenix’s two Crosier priories.

“I also see us as being a place that will serve immigrants, issues of the elderly, hospice as being a part of the campus,” Father Henrich said. “I see it as a large community – Crosiers and laypeople who are working together. We see this as a real opportunity.”

a difference in our lives from this time forward,” noted parishioner Jim Moon.

“As an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to Hospice, it will be particularly helpful in dealing with others,” said Moon. “We will have those relationships both vertically and horizontally, with the Cross and with others.”

Benefits from the retreat are expected to continue as Immaculate Conception Church brings the relationship with Christ into a fuller and more complete union within the parish and throughout the community.

“We need to nurture (all) the seeds that were planted,” said Capuchin Franciscan Pastor Nick Mormando, pastor. “The graces will flow through this parish.”

cns photo by Andrew Junker, Catholic Sun

Some Crosier brothers and priests gather for midday prayer at their Phoenix priory Sept. 3.

Celebrating its 800th anniversary, the Crosier order is looking forward to training laypeople in a new program called Companions of the Cross.

September 18, 2009

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Perspectives

A collection of columns, editorials and viewpoints

Lessons in brevity

Be concise or you won’t be able to tweet R U my BFFE Catholic? Do you tweet or have a page on Facebook?

I have spoken with young adults who do both: tweet to their friends and family via Twitter and share photos on Facebook. I also know people who won’t touch it for various reasons, not the least of which is that it takes an inordinate amount of time to keep up with all the electronic communication.

I tend to fall into this category: It takes too much time to update a Facebook page, understand what someone tweeted or put my glasses on so that I can text or tweet a message to someone else.

My fallback position is to use the telephone and call whomever I’m trying to message.

While I readily admit I’m not sure how I lived until cell phones became ubiquitous, I am not drawn to the latest electronic media. I see the dangers of too much or too little information circulating, especially when tweeting allows for no more than 140 characters.

Accepting that no one tweeting

or blogging or uploading photos to Facebook is looking for an “A” in English, these media do provide ways to reach out to young people who might otherwise be unreachable by the usual means of evangelization.

Over the years, one piece of truth keeps coming back to me: If you want to talk to people about their faith, listen, learn and preach the Gospel; you can’t wait until folks cross the threshold of the church. You have to go where they are and meet them in their own milieu.

Before the electronic explosion, people – especially young people – met at coffeehouses or someplace on college campuses. They still do, but they also depend on their electronic social networking to keep in touch with family and friends.

Although some extreme cases of abuse of Twitter and Facebook make headlines, these media have contributed positively to world communication, especially, for example, during the Iranian elections when people tweeted

Guest Column

by LIZ QUIRIN guest columnist

and texted and e-mailed video of what was really happening at rallies and other gatherings.

In short, the church has an opportunity to use the new electronic media to spread the Gospel, to interact with people, to influence young people in ways they could not have imagined in earlier times.

However, I would add a cautionary note: When the church engages in this kind of communication, whoever sends the messages into cyberspace must know and understand the new media, especially in terms of communicating a truth in very few words or characters.

Lengthy messages won’t work with young adults used to transmitting quick, short ideas to each other via our many electronic highways.

Our leaders will have to “write tight” or be unable to use Twitter for evangelization. If I had to boil down a message, a tweet, as it were, it would be: “Jesus lives in you. Believe it. Act on it.

Pass it on.”

Liz Quirin is editor of The Messenger, newspaper of the Diocese of Belleville, Ill.

Blogging and the church

The challenges, opportunities of the new media I am NOT a dinosaur. Technologywise, that is. I may not Twitter. I don’t have a Facebook page (my wife and kids do); nor do I have my own Web site. At least not yet.

But neither am I completely clueless about today’s communications technology. I get all my news and most of my mail on my computer. My cell phone handles the occasional text from my kids.

Even my latest book can be downloaded onto Kindle, that newfangled electronic reading device. And I keep up with the doings of the Catholic blogosphere.

Blogs are the 21st-century version of the printing press which give just about anyone with a computer or cell phone the ability to offer (and often inflict on) the world their comments, observations, demands, criticisms and praise.

And far too often without complete information or any sort of filter.

Blogs are part of the new media, a high-tech spider web that is rapidly wrapping its electronic strands around our lives, giving us millions of personal Web pages, podcasts and social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and MySpace.

Just as the printing press in Benjamin Franklin’s Colonial era made every scribbler an opinion-shaper, the Web today has made everyone – for better or for worse – a news commentator.

That has great implications for the church, where the people in the pews historically have had little ability to voice their opinions.

Like traditional journalism, which is responding to new media by offering its own blogs, public reporting and more, the church is finding rich opportunity – and some concern – in the blogosphere. Consider that Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s blog is one of many by bishops ... and worthwhile reading as well.

Even the Vatican has taken notice.

The papal spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, said earlier this year that the church recognizes the Internet’s “chorus of voices” and that Vatican news often provokes a flurry of comments on the Web, positive and negative.

Despite the new media’s “potential for manipulation,” he said the church must use it to “keep the truths of the faith in close touch with the emerging culture and the younger, growing generations.”

So Vatican officials – including Pope Benedict XVI – have begun using YouTube videos, podcasts and even text messaging as communications tools.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic News Service, and many dioceses and parishes have also adopted Facebook, Twitter and blogging.

Guest Column by

TOM SHERIDAN guest columnist

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal Francis E. George offers regular e-mail messages of reflection and Scripture. In addition, there’s a weekly blog on the archdiocesan Web site by the cardinal and church officials providing news, viewpoints and other information to help Catholics understand their faith.

Surely the future holds the promise of more electronic connection, not less.

For instance, use your cell phone to find the Mass schedule for the nearest church when on vacation.

Or download the prayers of the Divine Office to your iPhone. I’ve even checked out an “app” to aid daily prayer.

See, I told you I wasn’t a dinosaur.

Tom Sheridan is a former editor of The Catholic New World, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and a deacon ordained for the Diocese of Joliet, Ill. He writes from Ocala, Fla.

Respond to hatred with love, pope says

The Pope Speaks POPE BENEDICT XVI VATICAN CITY (CNS) – When one’s love for others is so great that he or she can respond to hatred with love and forgiveness, God is truly present in that person’s heart, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“Only divine love can open our hearts to other people and make us sensitive to their needs, make us think of them as brothers and sisters, and invite us to respond to hatred with love and to offense with forgiveness,” the pope said.

The pope led his weekly general audience Sept. 15 in the Paul VI hall before about 8,000 pilgrims from around the world.

Getting to truly know God doesn’t happen from reading books, the pope said, “but from spiritual experience and a spiritual life.”

To know God, the faithful must first start a journey of “inner purification that begins with a conversion of heart which comes from the strength of faith and love,” he said.

Then the faithful must experience “deep repentance and sincere regret for one’s sins in order to reach union with Christ, who is the source of joy and peace,” he said. With this inner purification and conversion, “the Holy Spirit can really become present in us and guide us,” he added.

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

Dear brothers and sisters, Today’s catechesis focuses on the life of Symeon, an Eastern monk known as the “New Theologian”. He was born in 949 in Asia Minor. As a young man, he moved to Constantinople to embark on a career in the civil service but, during his studies, he was shown a work called The Spiritual Law by Mark the Monk which completely changed his life. It contained the phrase: “If you seek spritual healing, be aware of your conscience. Do everything it tells you and you will find what is useful to you”.

From that day on, he made it his way of life always to listen to his conscience. He became a monk and his life and writings, collected afterwards by a disciple, reflect Symeon’s deep understanding of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in the life of all the baptized. Symeon teaches us that Christian life is an intimate and personal communion with God. True knowledge of God comes, not from books, but from an interior purification through conversion of the heart. For Symeon, union with Christ is not something extraordinary, but the fruit of the baptism common to all Christians.

Inspired by Symeon’s life, let us pay greater attention to our spiritual life, seeking the guidance we need to grow in the love of God.

September 18, 2009

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