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November Volume
NEWS
26, 1999
Number
9 t
13
Serving Catholics
In$ d Principal
honored by
Year,
SIGMON
Correspondent
MORGANTON
faculty
xyoo
tshiab!"
Hmong
Page 3
a special
—
("Happy
"Nyob zoo
New
Year!") Catholics and others attending
Hmong New
Year Mass and
celebration exchanged this greeting, along with the traditional eggs, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on
Ex Corde Ecclesiae:
Sunday, Nov. 14. Many of the Hmong in attendance wore brightly colored na-
Bishops approve tighter church control of Catholic colleges
tive clothing elaborately decorated with
5
...Page
World church bells ring on
in
the Diocese of Charlotte
beads that rattled and coins that jingled, adding to the music of the day. The Hmong had more than the start of their New Year festival to celebrate. They were also rejoicing in the arrival of Pe Lee, the new Hmong catechist for the Diocese of Charlotte. Lee
and his family moved from California to North Carolina at the end of July so that he could assume his new role.
"Hmong Catholics are concerned that they don't lose their culture, but they also want to remain faithful to Catholicism," said Father Bill Tanguay, director of Hmong and Lahu ministries for the diocese. "Mr. Lee is very good at these things." Father Tanguay and Father Ken Whittington of St. Charles Borromeo concelebrated the Mass, with Lee assisting. The Mass was mostly in the Hmong language, but parts of it were translated into English by Father Tanguay, and into Spanish by Father Whittington. According to Father Tanguay, the Hmong have elaborate rituals for birth,
Photo by Ellen Neerincx Sigmon
Pe Lee, catechist
for the diocesan
Hmong Ministry, shares a smile with his wife,
Shoua Chang.
death and marriage, and for their tradiA large part of Lee's job is to combine these traditions with the traditions of the Catholic Church. tional celebrations.
One example of this was Sunday's Mass and celebration. The group first See
HMONG NEW YEAR,
Web
Vatican site
9
...Page
By DIANNE RIGGS
ARDEN
News community
stream from Living Waters ...Page
7
African-American ancestors
and saints remembered ...Page
9
fvcry Week Entertainment
—
Colorful quilts will
soon be making their way into the hands of people in the Goldsboro, N.C., area devastated by Hurricane Floyd flooding. The 15 quilts are the products of a "Quilting Bee" which meets weekly at St. Barnabas Church in Arden. "We decided to give all our quilts made before Christmas to flood victims," said Kathleen O. Walsh, leader
prayers by St. Barnabas Quilters," the quilts will be sent to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Goldsboro
quilts
for distribution to individuals. "It
for the rest of 1999.
is
important to us that the quilts go directly into the hands of people who need them and not sit in a warehouse somewhere," said Walsh.
The
quilts are part of a larger
project that began in
August of
this
Walsh, who found herself with an abundance of fabric and a love of
year.
quilting, decided to see if others in her
of the group. After receiving a tag that says
church shared the same passion.
"May
this quilt
soul.
Made
weekly to "tie" quilts which Walsh had assembled. In the beginning,
warm your body and
with loving care and
Soon, four or five
women
gathered
Members joined Most wanted
sons.
way
for various reaa constructive
to help people, as well as a place
to learn new skills and to enjoy the camaraderie present at a "bee." "It's the old stewardship idea," said Walsh. "If you have a talent, use it." The work goes fast. Members are able to turn out two tied quilts per meeting. "It is important that the quilts are pretty," said
Walsh, who
believes that people who have suffered need something not only useful,
but beautiful in their lives. The quilts are made from simple patterns, but the fabric colors are coordinated carefully. They are also easy to care for, being washer and dryer ready. "Any parish could do this," said "All have
10-11
needs. And,
12-13
membership in the spring and expand their outreach to local nurs-
The
& Columns ...Pages
14
went to a foster group home and safe houses. But when the floods came, the group's direction changed
member Mary DeGroot. ...Pages
page
Arden parishioners blanket flood victims with concern, handiwork Correspondent
Editorials
Western North Carolina
welcome new catechist
By ELLEN NEERINCX
students,
Introspection,
in
HERALD
Hmong celebrate their New
i
Local
&
it's
way to socialize." hope to increase
a great
quilters
their
ing homes.
Advent Reflection
Parishioners from
Church
in
St.
Barnabas
Arden display their
colorful handiwork destined for
eastern
North Carolina flood
victims. Pictured from left, front row, are Laura Lillig, Kathleen O.
.Page
12
Walsh, and Willie Hinkel; from left, back row, Mary DeGroot and Kathleen Frischmann. Photo by Dianne Riggs