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prudential real estate north carolina
n a special way throughout this Lenten season, we have united ourselves ever more closely to the sufferings of Christ. We can identify the crosses we carry: the burdens of temptation and sin, the physical and emotional anguish we and those we love experience, the concerns of the present and the anxieties associated with the future. Yet, as true followers of Christ, we never lose hope in the midst of our sufferings and crosses. We embrace the truths of Easter: Jesus Christ destroyed forever the powers of evil and darkness so that we may live in His Light and enjoy newness of life, both now and forever! He is the king of victory and His victory is our victory! I We recall the words of an and ent Easter hymn: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! The strife is o'er, the battle done; Now is the Victors triumplt won. 0 let the song of praise be sung: Alleluia! Throughout the lenten season and in the days and weeks of the Easter season ahead, we have and will continue to celebrate the Lord's victory. I am deeply inspired to know the countless numbers of the faithful who celebrated the Sacrament of Penance in preparation for Easter. What a powerful way to proclaim the Lord's victory over sin! It was edifying to witness the number of people who were anointed within the Diocesan Mass on the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the apparitions of Our Blessed Mother at Lourdes. What a powerful way to celebrate the Lord's victory over suffering! The number of the elect in our Diocese who were baptized, confirmed, and received First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, as well as the baptized who were fully initiated into the Sacramental Life of the Church, was overThroughout this Lenten whelming. What a powerful witness of the new Life that is ours in season and in the days Christ jesus. I am so pleased to see the continued reverent devoand weeks of the Eastion, celebration and reception of the Holy Eucharist throughout our Diocese. What a powerful sign of our belief that Christ jesus alone can ter season ahead, we satisfy our hungry hearts. have and will conWe know many people in our world and even within our families and circle of friends who desperately need to rediscover the source tinue to celebrate of our joyful hope even in the midst of suffering. Thus, in word and the Lord's victory. deed, we must boldly proclaim that: Tlu: strife is o'er, the battle done; Now is tJ1c Victors triumplt won! It is my hope and prayer that Our Risen Lord will bless you with His peace and joy and give you the grace to be effective witnesses of the new Life that is ours through Him, with Him and in Him. Alleluia! - Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge. Bishop o£ Raleigh. NC Olrlwlics 2 Mardi 20081 www.DioceeeoiRaleigh.org I www.NCCatholics.org from the Bishop 2 We celebrate the lord's victory - Bishop Mlch~cl E Durbldg~ 6 Dear NCC A friend says Easter is the most important day of the year for Catholics. I thought ll was Christmas. Please explam. - F:tthcr jonathan A. Woodholl, J'h.D. from the editor 7 In God's hands - Rich R~~c~ theology 101 8 Eucharist: 4 ways Christ is present at Mass voices in our church 11 Classmates of Distinction - Msgr, Thomas H:tddcn 11 La Pascua, el Esplntu Vivo de Cristo - l'adrc Fernando Torr~s spiritual fitness l How to pray like a monk Trapp1st spirituality today - l' ather Bill Ashb:tugh :lG Frame of faith - worth more than a thousand words. - Michelle: Sessions DIFranco 29 My wife is a stay-at-home mom I'm jealous- Tim Ryan parish profile 30 Missionary Wellspring Sacred Heart, Whiteville - Rich Rc~c~ NCCatholics Most Reverend Michael F Burbidge I'UIUIH!A Frank Morock DIRI!C'IOII 01' COMMUNICAOONS Mardi 2008 • Vol. 4 : Issue 2 Richard Reece pproximately 350 people attended the fifth annual Mass for Life Saturday, jan. 12, at St. joseph Catholic Church in Raleigh. The Mass was celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge with Msgr. john Williams and Father David D. Brockman concelebrating. A IUIIYOR IN CHII!I' Holly Stringer AOVIImSING MANAGIA Bishop Michael r Burbidge Amanda Oldran Msgr. Thomas Hadden Fatncr Fernando Torres Father jonathan A. Woodhall COtmiiiUTING Wllrr!R$ Nathalie Fuerst tiiAHILA'IOA Denmark Photo & Video (cover} CONniiiUTIND PNOTUCIIIAI'HI!III FAITH Publlsh1ng Snvice Rev Dwis::ht Ezop CIWAUN Patrick M O'Brien PIIUIDI!Hf AND CHI!!I' DI!CUTIVI! OI'FlCI!A Elizabeth Manin Solsburg IDIYOIIIAL DIIII!CTOA Vicki Bedard DIAI!CTOR 01' SALU AND MAIIKmNG jillanejob I!DIYOIIIAL AIIIITAHT Pat ricla Oli\·cr II!CAETAAY Patrick Dally AllY DIIIICTOIIIW!I iiAsT!ll l}'nne Rtdenour Abby Wieber GRAPHIC PUIGNIIII Betsy Mmer PAOOI'AIADINQ Father Bill Ashbaugh Ehzabeth johnson Tom :md JoAnn Fogle Dr Olthlccn McGreal Michelle Sessions Dtrrnnco CONIIIIIUTINQ Wllrr!AI Tom Gennara Phillip Shippen CONTIIII UTIMII PHOTOGAAPH! R$ InnerWorkings PAINT MANAOI!MI!HT a.............., tole Cd'Jolco"' (USPS 715-0401 io pubic:e..., "' .... Cllldc: - - "'RaJo;gh. 71 & Ill. ~tole 27808. FWohod ~ oocopt lor "*-Y =-~$2~~...::!.:~=-·= _ . - dolngoo con bo- 1o 7 1& - 8t.. Rolooglo. NC 27808 010.821 0700: ra. 019.821 070&"' -~ -~I'IOI&I~Woogh. -- NC "' oclcllionol - POSTJoWm;R;- - dolngoo 1o: NC c.ot.ob. 715 8l. ~ NC 27808, C2005 FAITH N.liolwog &or-"' Cdooli: IJio. ,_ of~ C200& c:..o1o*-- o1 ~ P"" Wlod- No partioo ol NC Colldco.., bo poli6ohod, - ..--....-For,...... .. .. """"'"'"pott,-prior-~dFNTH f'lb. Wini-"'1/WJ/w _ . , flolo9o. .-.. oolor -..-~-d""''l'90""""' tole c.ot.ob. c:..olo*- d~Wooglo, Give the gift of NCCatJwlics: Order a subscription today 919.821.9730 Following the Mass, many of those in auendance took pan in the Rally and March for Ufe in Raleigh, sponsored by Nonh Carolina Right to Ufe, Inc. Catholics made up the largest pan of the approxi· mately 800 people who panicipated. Bishop Burbidge offered the invocation. BIShop Peter j.jugis, Diocese of Charloue, offered the Benediction. Ten days later, the two bishops carne together with hundreds of faithful from their dioceses for the celebration of Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Wash· ington, D.C. The Mass at the Shrine is an annual event for Nonh Carolina Catholics as a prelude to the national March for Ufe that takes place on that day in the nations capital to mark the U.S. Supreme Couns Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abonion. This day, tens of thousands of pro-life advocates braved dark clouds and cold temperatures in the 35th Annual March. Marchers from almost every state panicipated in the afternoon event. Bishop Burbidge called the turnout from the Diocese of Raleigh "an inspiration," adding, "The march leads us to action, to witness peacefully and prayerfully.~ ~---- s· i -nce you asked . . .. - = Dear NCC: A friend says Easter is the most important day of the year for Catholics. I thought it was Christmas. Please explain. S t. Paul wrote. : '" ... if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.w OCor s H) This earliest written expression of Catholic belief defines the cornerstone of our faith. Were it not for 1. the personal experience of Mary Magdalene, early on the first day of the week, to use the gospel expression; 2. the experience, later, of the first followers of Jesus and 3. Paul's personal experience of the Risen Lord on the road to Damascus perhaps two decades after the first Easter, we would not be the Christians we are today. Easter celebrates the victory ofjesus over death. Easter celebrates our belief that life does not end in death. Therefore, Easter is the most solemn and most important feast for Catholic Chnstians who profess the belief that our God is the God of life, not a god of death. However, your question raises an important consideration. On the level of faith, Christianity is unique in believing that the Divine God entered into human life in the form of a human being. We call this event the Incarnation. We celebrate the binh of jesus and call that feast the Nativity, or more popularly, Christmas in English ["Christs Mass" from medieval English times!. Easter celebrates the victory of Jesus It would be unproducover death. Easter celebrates our belief tive, in my opinion, to that life does not end in death. Therefore, argue which feast is more important in Christian Easter is the most solemn and most important faith. Tradition that led to feast for Catholic Christians who profess the belief the written Scripture and that our God is a god of life, not a god of death. then subsequent spiritual and theological thought consistently stresses the importance of the Resurrection in our salvamigrants seeking shelter and safety in the days before the birth of Jesus, are more festive than Dec. 25. tion history. But on a popular level, few would not argue "Three Kings Day" on Jan. 6 in most Catholic Latin that Christmas is more observed \vith festiviAmerican cultures is more celebratory than Dec. 25. ties in certain cultures than Easter is. Certainly ln southern and eastern Catholic European cultures, Christ:S manifestation to the gentiles, the Epiphany, is our American culture is one of those cultures. Therefore, the question of Christmas versus more celebrated than Dec. 25. Clearly, we American Catholics must distinguish Easter is really a cultural question, not a theocultural issues from faith issues. It is very easy for a logical question. In fact, many other Catholic cultures person to be swept away by the culture one lives in. If a person does not think about what he really believes outside our American Catholic culture and what is really important, then such a persons faith celebrate the Incarnation with different emphases. In Mexico, the Posadas, the becomes superficial and that faith will not withstand reenactments of Mary and joseph, im- the difficulties that life presents to every human being. NC Catholics 6 March 2008 I www.DioceteofRaleigh.04'lJI www.NCCatholica.org from The person of faith does not allow secular culture to form his faith. The person of faith tries to form the culture around him according to the beliefs he lives by The Christian experiences what his Savior experi· enced, misunderstandings and betrayals even of those closest to him. The Christian experiences givmg of self and every day the Christian experiences dying in so many ways But the Christian also experiences little resurrections as a result of those little deaths. The Christian believes, finally, that life overcomes even physical death. This is our Easter faith at work. For us Catholics there is no better way to expeti· ence Easter faith than to join with others in our local faith communities for the liturgical celebrations centered on the mysteries of our suffering, dying and risen Savior. We are able to do this by participating in the Triduum, the three day celebration of: the Lords Supper on Holy Thursday evening, the Passion on Good Fnday and the Great Easter Vigil on Saturday mght before Easter morning. We do this not only by bemg physically present, but by paying attention to the words and symbols that fill these days, Because our American culture does not allow us free time to spend quietly about six hours over three days in a sacred setting, most Catholics will have to find creative ways to feed and to deepen their faith. Obviously, Easter Sunday Mass is the ban: minimum Perhaps the most spiritually satisfying experience of why Easter is the most important Catholic feast day might be in making an effort to attend the Great Easter Vigil. lt takes place after dark. Perhaps sacrificing ones usual Saturday night activities in order to experience the true meaning of our 2,000-year hiStory of celebrating life over death can be a way of appreciating the importance and the wonder of Christs resurrection. If such participation cannot happen, then quietly sitting alone or with other family members absorbmg. and perhaps dtscussing. the readings, the prayers and the symbols of the Easter Vigil ritual might open a person to a deeper appreciation of why Easter is so important to Catholics. Easter faith defines Catholic Christians. Easter faith cannot be explained by mere words. Easter faith is a way of life. J - Fr.Jon:nlum A. Woodh:all, rh.O., Is a relin:d priest or thr Dloccsr who Is lnvolvrd In RCIA rdUCitlon and Sr anlsh MlniSiry at Sacn:d Hem Cathr dral. R:ddgh. Send your questions to: "Since you asked ..." 71 5 Nazareth St. Raleigh, NC 27606 Or: "It Is Indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so totally In God's hands." tl'ie n 1981, Father Pedro Armpe, Superior General of the Jesuit Order, suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side and virtually unable to speak. By 1983, when he resigned due to ill health, the only way he could communicate was with his eyes or the pressure of his left hand. I The jesuits had called a General Congregation to accept Anupes resignation and elect his successor. At the opening ~ sion, Arrupe was wheeled into the hall, and a prayer which he had written was read to the assembly: "More than ever I find myself in the hands of God. This is what I have wanted all my life from my youth. But now there is a difference; the initiative is entirely with God. It i:s indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so totally in Gods hands." Surely this is an Easter story, a story of suffering and a kind of death giving way to, even being necessary for, a radiant, new spiritual life. A radiant, new spiritual life is the hope and prayer of many in our Diocese for Father Frank Stangl, who went to his eternal rest on Feb. 2 at age 79. I met Father Stangl last fall at Holy Trinity Church in WilliaiTISlon, where he would often celebrate Sunday Mass. He was a friendly man, and we spoke briefly about common roots in Missouri. I learned that he had taught Scripture there, and his scholarship and his enjoyment in teaching were obvious in his homily. It was only after his passing thatllearned about the incredibly varied scope of his life in ministry. You can read more about Father Stangl on page 23. Beginning in January. with the Respect Ufe Rally in Raleigh and the March for Ufe in Washington, D.C., and throughout the 40 Days for Ufe campaign during the season of Lent, so many in our Diocese have witnessed through prayer and presence to the sacredness of human life, from conception to natural death. In this issue you'll see some pictures of those events. 1 ..,. Thank you, as always, for your letters of critique and encouragement You can reach me at 71 5 Nazareth St., Raleigh, NC 27606 or [email protected]. [email protected] - Rkh:ard ll£:ett Is 1hc editor or NC Catholics. n the night before He died, Christ gathered His disciples for a meal. He took simple bread and wine. He blessed it in the great prayer of thanksgiving to His Father. He broke the bread and gave it to His disciples. It was a familiar ritual, only this time it was different. This bread ~is My Body which will be given up for you," Christ said. This cup "is the cup of My Blood, the Blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven." He commanded that we continue to do this in memory of Him <d 1 Cor 23-26) The Church has never failed ~ to follow this command. We continue to celebrate this sacrament and to give thanks (Greek- euclra1istcin) to God. The Lords Supper has always been inextricably linked to our Sunday celebrants of the Mass. We do not recreate the Last Supper every Sunday morning, rather we engage in anam- timeline: major developments in understan<ling the Eucharist 30-33 AD l'u/JII! :\Inn~! I\ offr\11\ • Meals are important- the wedding feast at Cana, feeding of the 5,000, dining with sinners and tax collectors. to Emmaus, but recognize Him in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:13-35). Christ prepares breakfast on the seashore. (John 21 1-H). New Testament Eucharist as part of an agape meal. Paul scolds Corinth about its Eucharistic practices (1 Cor 11 17 22. 26-34) and reminds them that "every time we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the death of our lordn 01 26). jesus institutes the Eucharist at the Last Supper and commands His disciples to "Do this in memory of Me." o Cor 11.23-25. Mt 26 26-29; 2nd·Bth Centuries Ignatius of Antioch - letter to the Philadelphians 01 01 Three things as norm: 1 a gathered assembly 2 the presidency of btshop 3 the action of praise and thanksgiving with bread and wine. ..--11111!!!11-., Mk H · 22-2~; Lk 22 14-201 Post-Resurrection Meals The disciples walk with jesus on the road justin Martyr (150)- First Apology 1 early Christians gathered on a Sunday 2 Eucharist taken to absent members 3 Eucharist as part of initiation rite 4 infants receive Precious Blood. Tertullian (160-255) On Prayer 1 Communion on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays 2 penitential fasting and Eucharistic feasting are incompatible. Cyprian of Carthage T11c Lapsed for Communion. 9·1 Oth Centuries 1 Latin is bemg used at Mass. 2 Private prayers of the priest added to liturgy. 3 Shift in understanding - priest praying while people doing other things. 4 Priests begin to give Communion by mouth. 5 Communion is distributed after Mass. ... ' ml) Repentance and reconciliation as conditions . NC Ca1halics 8 Murch 200f.l l www.DioceseoiRaleigh.org ~ www NCCatholica.org J wine_The M substance'' (deepmakes present. In the great est reality) of bread and wine are changed by the Holy Spirit Eucharistic Prayer, we Join to the "substance~ of Christs ourselves to the sacrifice of Christ, made Body and Blood. The present on Christ is present •accidents" our altar, and offered (appearance in the people, in the or physical again to the Word, in the priest attributes) Father. This is the source and most especially in of bread and summit and wine the Holy Eucharist. remain. This of the Chris· 1s defined as tian life<~ • 10 CCC l3H). "transubstantlation" (UC mM Christ is present in four Christ is wholly present in ways in the Mass - in the people, in the Word, 10 the either the bread or the wine, priest and most especially in but it is fitting to receive the Holy Eucharist In tradiChrist under both fonns as a tional theological language, fuller expression and foretaste Christ becomes present under of the heavenly banquet. When we receive Holy the appearance of bread and nesis - a memory which I Communion, we hear those wonderfull words - ~The Body of Christ.~ We respond "Amen" {so be it). In so doing, we express our faith 10 the true Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic bread. But we also remind ourselves that this sacrament jo1ms us as the Body of Christ. Nourished by this bread 11-12th Centuries 1 Eucharist not just to be consumed, but also to be reverenced. 2 Decline in reception of Communion - people don't consider themselves worthy. 3 Emphasis placed on "ocular Communion· during the elevation of the Blessed Sacrament. 4 Genunection added at the consecration. 13-15th Centuries 1 1215 Lateran Council IV mandates minimum to receive Communion once a year, the "Easter duty." 2 Pope Leo IV established the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas uses the philosophical arguements of Aristotle to descnbe the Eucharist: "substance" = Body and Blood of Christ; Sacrament emphasized. 2 Processions with Blessed Sacrament. 3 Exposition of Blessed Sacrament so faithful m1ght adore Christ's true Presence. Council of Trent (15481563) 1 Defines Transubstantiation. 2 Order of Mass becomes uniform and in Latin 1M~ or Pius V: 15701. 3 Eucharist strengthens us spiritually and wipes away venial sins. Ritual of 1614 1 Advocates frequent Communion at Mass. 2 Provides rituals for Communion outside of Mass. vocates frequent Communion; allows reception at age of reason {age 7) 1963 Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (tote 1- 14, i T-56) 1 Christ IS present in people, priest, word, and most especially in the Holy Eucharist t• Tl. 2 Reform of the Mass, including return to vernacular language. 1965 Mass of Paul VIrevised liturgical Year, Sacramentary and Lectionary. 1973 Immensae Caritas 1 Permits extraordinary ministers for distribution of Holy Communion. 2 Extends invitations to receive more than once per day. and wine, Christ's Body and Blood, we are called by God, though Christ our Head, and by the grace of the Spirit, to build the kingdom of God on earth. In th1s sacrament, we find the cause and sign of our unity. In this sacrament, especially, the Lord continues to dwell among His people. 3 Eliminates fast for ill and aged. 4 Restores reception of Eucharist in the hand. 2000 u.s. bishops issue pastoral letter on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. 2002 New edition of the Roman Missal released. 2003 Pope john Paulll publishes the Encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, stating the "the Eucharist builds the Church and the Church makes the Eucharist." saint of the month Feast Day: March 22 Patron saint of those who have suffered a miscarriage and those contemplating an abortion Canonized In 1484 by Pope Innocent VIII Meaning of name: Pure Claim to fame: Born in either 1331 or 1332, Catherine was the daughter of St. Bridget of Sweden. At age 14, Catherine married Eggart von Kurnen at the request of her father. She later journeyed to Rome with her mother and, upon her husband's death, remained with St. Bridget, taking an active role in her ministry. After St. Bridget's death, Catherine took over her mother's convent in Sweden, Wadstena, and fonned a community based on rules St. Bridget wrote. Catherine wrote Consolation of the She Soul, but no copies of the book now exist. resisted their propos- A beautiful girl, Catherine was constantly surrounded by suitors. als, however, wanting instead to stay a virgin. What made her a saint: A beautiful girl, Catherine was constantly surrounded by suitors. She resisted their proposals, however, wanting instead to stay a virgin. It is said that when one Roman noble pursued her, a wild hind chased him away. Catherine spent 25 years in Rome, devoting her life to meditation and service of the poor. How she died: During the Schism, Catherine went to Rome to promote her mother's canonization. She ended up testifying before a judicial committee in favor of Pope Urban VI. In return, he gave her a letter of commendation for her Bridgettine order. After five years in Rome, Catherine returned to Sweden, where she died of illness on March 24, 1381. - Katie Hicks NC Ca1hollcs 10 March 2008l v.w«~h.org I www.NCCalholica.org santo del mes Dfa festlvo: 22 de marzo Santa patrona de los abortos esponbineos y contra el aborto Canonlzada en 1484 por el Papa lnocente VIII Significado del nombre: Pura Hechos que Ia hlcleron famosa: Naci6 en 1331 o 1332, Catalina era Ia hija de Santa Brigida de Suecia A Ia edad de 14 aiios, Catalina se c:asO con Eggart von Kumen a petici6n de su padre. Catalina mas tarde viaj6 a Roma con su madre, y a Ia muerte de su esposo permaneci6 con Santa Brigida, jugando un papel activo en sus obms piadosas. Santa Brigida muri6 y Catalina se encarg6 del convento de su madre en Suecia, Wadstena, y form6 una comunidad basada en reglas que Santa Brigida escribi6. Ela escribi6 Consalaci6n del Alma, pero no existen actualmente capias del ~bro. Qu«i Ia hlzo una santa: Una muchacha bella, Catalina estaba constantemente rodeada de pretendientes. Sin embargo, ella resistia sus propuestas, queriendo en vez, pennanecer una virgen. Se cuenta que cuando un noble romano Ia perseguia, una cierva salvaje lo alej6. Ella pas6 25 aiios en Roma dedicando su vida a Ia meditaci6n y al servicio de los pobres. C6mo mur16: Durante el Cisma, Catalina fue a Roma a promover Ia canonizaci6n de su madre. Ella tennin6 testificando ante un comite judicial a favor del Papa Urbano VI, y a cambio de ello, elle dio una carta de aprobaci6n para su orden Brigidina. Despues de cinco anos en Roma, Catalina regres6 a Suecia, d6nde muri6 pronto de enfennedad el 24 de marzo de 1381 . uring the predictions of a major snow in Raleigh last january, I spent some time looking at my photo albums from my seminary days. It brought back a flood of good memories. D These photos started in the late 1940s in the aftermath of World War II. I believe that in the wake of this conflict, black people in the United States began to rise above the expected and began to be included in state and church . Among these pictures several seminarians stood out. They were Dom Cyprian Davis, OSB, Bishop carlos Lewis, Bishop Joseph Bowers and Bishop Harold Perry. .._ Dom Cyprian is a noted Church historian who wrote the first definitive history of black Catholics in the United States. He is a monk of St Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana, where he teaches Church History there and is also an international lecturer . ....,. Bishop Harold Perry, SVD, after serving in various capacities in his society, was named Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans. He was the first black bishop in modern times. He was an engaging speaker, and was in the group of black clerics who founded the Black Catholic Clergy Caucus. ....,. Bishop Joseph Bowers was named Bishop of Accra in Ghana. He was the first black bishop in modern times in Africa. After he was succeeded by an African-born bishop, he became the first Bishop of St. John's Basseterre, a Diocese comprising several islands in the Canbbean. ....,. Bishop Carlos Lewis was a nalive of Panama. He was named an Auxiliary Bishop there, where he gave dedicated ministry drawing on his pastoral experience in the States. This is the season of the Resurrection of the Lord . These are the stories of priests who also rose above what was expected . - Msgr. Thom~s I'. H~ddcn a Cuaresma nos dio la pauta para rcconoccr los caminos del Senor, Ia penitencia, el ayuno y Ia limosna se han traducido en gozo, alegria y jtibilo. Se trnnsforma Ia - - - • austeridad con el derroche de Ia vida, los sacramentos y una nueva estad6n donde todo canta un nuevo comienzo, una renovad6n y Ia vivencia de Ia gran notida: 1Ciisto ha resucitado y vivej La Pascua se nos da como una jornada para vivir Ia grada y Ia La Pascua sigue presencia del Espiritu de Cristo que vive animando con en Ia vida de Ia Iglesia, que anima a los su espiritu a cristianos a vivir su vocacion y el don de sus gracias. Se descubre en los signos toda Ia Iglesia de los tiempos to que deben hacer, vivir para actualizar y construir, a pesar de las adversidades el misterio de que los acompanan en cada momenta. La Pascua sigue animand::> con su Cristo, no solo en espfritu a toda Ia Iglesia para actualizar Ia Eucaristia donde el misterio de Cristo, no solo en Ia se hace presente el Eucaristfa donde se haec presente el misterio de Ia Pasion, Muene y misterio de Ia PaResurreccion de Cristo, sino tambien sion, Muerte y Resen Ia vivencia de Ia caridad y en Ia urrecci6n de Cristo, renovad6n del don de ser pane viva de sino tambien en Ia vi- Ia Iglesia. La panuquia es el centro de Ia vencia de Ia caridad comunidad donde Cristo se manifiesta y en Ia renovaci6n y haec presente eldon de Ia del don de ser parte vida nueva; viva de Ia Iglesia. atrayendoa todos los grupos apost6licos, a los diferenles ministerios y a los que se habfan alejado para hacer de todos una comunidad de comunidades. Una unidad viva que nos debe llevar a proclamar que el espfritu de Cristo resucitado esta. actuando en Ia vida de Ia familia parroquiaL La familia tambien debe sentirse renovada y fortalecida con ese mismo espfritu ayudando a acrecentar el deseo de vivir Ia vocaci6n que se nos ha dado de ser padres, hijos, familia y pane de una comunidad. La Pascua Nos llama a todos a ser tesugos con Ia vida, con las obrns y con Ia fe de ser e\egidos y nos ha dado una nueva raz6n para vivir su triunfo desde Ia Cruz hasta Ia Etemidad. -l'adre Fernando Toms or Father David Brockman, Vicar General of the Diocese of Raleigh, the Eucharist was the "doorway" to the Catholic Church. Fr. Brockman grew up in the Chicago area, where his father is a physician. But the family had deep Southern Baptist roots, and when it came time for college, like the Brockman men and women of three generations before him, he attended Furman University in Greenville, SC. •As a child I'd had Catholic friends, had noticed their devotional practices and even been to Mass," he recalls. "But serious intellectual and spiritual exploration really started for me, as it does for many young people, in college." In South Carolina, Fr. Brockman would drive 25 miles on Sunday to attend the Baptist church with his relatives. But several of his Catholic fraternity brothers were less conscientious about Mass attendance. ln what seems in retrospect a pastoral impulse, Brockman offered to go with them to the local Catholic church. Several times, out of curiosity, he attended the Sunday evening Mass with them, and enjoyed it. "l appreciated the sense of reverence, the structure of the Mass and the archi· tecture of the church building," he says, "but l was most drawn to the Eucharist. It helped me understand what! had read in the Bible about jesus' words at the l..asl Supper, 'This is my Body.' I was drawn to His Real Presence. "The parish also had a very committed, holy pastor, Msgr. Don Gorski. He seemed grounded in the l.Drd, at peace." The pas. toral associate also encouraged Fr. Brockman. She was Sister Kitty Bethea, O.P., who would later come to the Diocese of Raleigh. Eventually, Fr. Brockman regularly attended Mass and other community activities. ln his senior year, he began RCJA. How did his parents react? "! didn't tell them," he explains. "Frankly, I was frightened of my dads reaction. And later, when 1went to the seminary, he was not pleased. That changed gradually, though, when he realized that 1hadn't I ~thollcs been influenced by 'outside' forces. At least,'' he says with a smile, unot by outside human forces, but by the l.Drd." The reconciliation became complete several years later, when Father Brockman was Pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist in Raleigh. His father said he was visiting at Easter, and would like to receive Commu· nion. ''l said I would love for that to happen, it was a goal, but tt wasn't possible," Father Brockman remembers. ~Son ofjokingly, I said, 'You should join the RCIA.' And he said '1 did.' He had started in August the year before, and even though we had visited twice since then he hadn't said a word. 'But Dad,' 1said, 'you never said anything!' And he said, 'Neither did you!'" That Easter the young pastor had the great joy of welcoming his father into full communion with the Church. • • • • • • • • Melissa DuCharme joined the Church in 1997. Raised Lutheran in the Midwest by a family that was very involved in their church, she married a Catholic. "We wanted to go to the same church," she says, "and we visited several. We loved St. Michaels (in Cary)." The most important factor in her conversion? "The beauty of the Eucharist," she says without hesitation. "The meaning of Communion.'' "!fell in love with the faith during RCJA," she explains. "The Church has so much to offer as life unfolds. When my grandfather died, it was so comforting to think of him as an intercessor. When 1became a mother, I learned to appreciate my relationship with Mary. More recently, the social teachings of the Church have spoken to me especially powerfully." u 14 March. : :I ~f!SeofRaleigh.o~.NCCalholica.org DuCharme volunteered to assist the Diocesan Office of Peace and justice, and today gives presentations through Catholic Charities to help parishes enhance their social justice ministries. "One of the great things about the Catholic Church," she says, "is its vast history. It has thousands of years of thinking and guidance to offer in every area that challenges us." •••••••• Church history, and a Protestant minister, started Echo Lewis on the rood to conversion. In college in the '60s, she signed up with friends for a Church History course at a nearby Presbyterian church. "Two things the minister said got me interested," Lewis recalls. "He said that Protestants don't give Mary her due, and that Church History started with the Catholic Church; Protestant history only went so far." One Sunday a time later, "l was bored, so 1went to Mass with some Catholic friends." At Communion, she noticed a bearded priest in the congregation. Later she asked her friends, "Who is he? Why wasn't he up in front with the other priests?" His name was Father Patrick McNulty, and his social and ecclesiastical activism had earned him a reputation as a "radi- "I appreciated the sense of reverence, the structure of the Mass and the architecture of the church building," he says, "but I was most drawn to the Eucharist It helped me understand what I had read in the Bible about Jesus' words at the Last Supper, 'This is my BodY. I was drawn to His Real Presence. cal," and disfavor with his bishop. "I don't know what it was about him," Echo Lewis recalls, "but I had a sense that he would be imponant in my life." Under the pretext of writing an anicle for her college newspaper, Lewis arranged to meet the priest, and discovered her intuition had been accurate. ''He was a man who lived what he talked," Lewis says. Father Pat became a guide on lewiss journey in search of spiritual truth. "After one of our conversations," Lewis says, "he told me to go home and read the Gospels. I v.:asn't sure what a 'Gospel' was- we hadn't used that terminology. So I went home and narrowed it down to Matthew, Mark, luke, john and AclS. The next week I proudly told Father Pat, 'I read all five!'" The priest would be Lewiss sponsor when she was received into the Church, and today she cites him as one of the most imponant influences in her conversion. But not the most imponant. "That was the Eucharist," Lewis says. ~r connected with the Real Presence at a deep, intuitive, almost unconscious level.~ It was Father Pat who first told leWis about the Madonna House Apostolate, which became her vocation. Madonna House is a Catholic community of lay men, women, and priesLS dedicated to loving and serving jesus Christ. It was founded in 1947 by Catherine Doheny in Combermere, Ontario, Canada, and has established missionary field houses world-wide. Today lewis is an associate at the Raleigh field house, and is writmg a biography of Cathenne Doheny. ••••••••• As a pastor, Father Brockman has seen many conversions to Catholicism. Every journey is unique, but he sees some similarities. "There are thmgs that attract people in the beginning,~ he says. ~The vtbrancy of the faith community, its mission work, the beauty of the architecture, compelling preaching heroes of the faith, canonized or not. Those things are touchstones. But what ulti· mately wins a person to our Church is experienc· ing, through the Mass, the depth of what the Church teaches. The latin phrase says it: Lex orandi, lex crcdendi. 'The law of praying Is the law of believing.' Through the liturgy, when its celebrated with deep reverence, you are drawn into what the Church has believed through inspired Scrip· ture and sacred Tradition throughout Her enure history. ~ lDr.EdwinHartman, anteriormente formaba parte de la Iglesia Presbiteriana, y en el aflo 2000 se cambia a la Iglesia cat6lica~ el Dr Hartman se siente incomodo con el termhlo "conversion" puesto que para el denota -apartarse de algo, y a medida que aceptaba al catolicismo, no sentfa que me alejaba de mis raices religiosas ode la Iglesia Presbiteriana. En este sentido, se que suena un poco extralio, pero pienso que ahora soy un cat6lico y un protestante completo. E Hartman cree que su atracci6n par Ia Iglesia Catolica comenzo dcsde su infancia en Pittsburgh, puesto que muchos de sus amigos eran cat6licos; csa "etema familiaridadn con Ia Iglesia Ooreci6 en ltalia cuando realizaba sus cstudios en medicina. A su regreso a los Estados Unidos, se estableci6 en Clayton donde tom6 clases en linea sobre el catolicismo; finalmeme, en lo que Cl llama "el momenta en linea" decidi6 enviarle un correo electr6nico al Dr. Terry Jackson, en aquel emonces, Director de Evangelizacion y Catecismo de Ia Diocesis de Raleigh. - Le dije que viniera para almorzar - recuerdaJackson. Por suerte, el Obispo EJoseph Gossman tambien estaba disponible en ese momento, y el doctor almorz6 con ambos. Poco dcspues, el doctor comenz6 en el rito de iniciaci6n cristiana para adultos RICA en Ia Catedral, pero comenz6 cl proccso de iniciaci6n con el tipico nivel imelectual de rigor- La directora de RICA dice que hago dernasiadas preguntas - recuerda con humor. La Directora del programa de aquel entonccs, Blanche Ellison, ahara muy buena amiga de Hartman, tam bien sonrie al recordar esas pregumas- recuerdo que le comeme: Ed, lAsistes a Misa? Y por un momenta me miro perplejo, entonccs Je dije- jtienes que asistir a Misa! Pienso que fue su experiencia con Ia Eucaristfa lo que \o ayud6 a concretar su decision. ••••••••• Para el Padre David Brockman, actual Vicl]Jio General de Ia Di6ccsis de Raleigh,la Eucaristia fue Ia "entrada'' a Ia Iglesia Catolica. Brockman creci6 en Chicago, donde su padre se desempenaba como medico, sin embargo, su familia mamenla sus fuertes rnices de Ia Iglesia Bautista del Sur. AI igual que todos los hombres de Ia familia Brockman, asistieron a Furman University de Greenville en Carolina del Sur. - Cuando nino, tenia muchos amigos cat6licos, sabia de sus practicas e incluso asislf a Misa, pero Ia verdadern exploraci6n intelecLUal y espiritual comenz6 para mi, a\ igual que para muchos j6vencs, en Ia universidad - recuerda. En Carolina del Sur, Brockman recorrfa 25 millas todos los domingos para asistir a Ia Iglesia Bautista con sus familiarcs, pero muchos de sus hermanos de fratemidad eran menos concientes del significado de asistir a Misa. En lo que parece un impulse pastoral, Brockman ofrcci6 llevar a muchos de sus compaiieros a una Iglesia Catolica en el area y par mera curiosidad, asisti6 a Ia Misa cat6lica con elias y Ia disfrut6 muchfsimo. - Aprecic Ia reverencia, Ia arquitectura, pcro me senti muy atraldo por Ia Eucaristla. Me ayud6 a comprender mis conocimientos de Ia Biblia sabre las palabras de jeslls en Ia Ultima Cena - coment6 Brockman. - La parroquia contaba con un dedicarlo parroco. Se vela conectado con el Senor en paz. La ayudante de Ia parroquia, Ia hermann Kitty Bethea, tambien inspir6 a Brockman. AI tiempo, Brockman se convirti6 en un miembro activo de Ia comunidad y en su ultimo aiio universitario, comenz6 el rito de iniciaci6n RICA. Sin embargo, tc6mo reaccionaron sus padres a\ rcspecto? - No les dije nada - explic6 e\ sacerdote. - Para ser sincere, estaba aterrndo de Ia reacci6n de mi padre y despues cuando ingrese a! seminario, mi padre enfureci6. Luego cambi6 a\ darse cuenta de que no fui infiuenciado por "fuerzas extemas." -Par los menos, no por ninguna fuerza humana, sino par Ia fuerza del Ser'lor - agreg6 sonrieme. La reconciliacion se completo ai'los despues, cuando el Padre Brockman ern el parroco de St. Luke the Evangelist en Raleigh. Un dia, su padre lo visit6 durante Ia Semana Santa, y le dijo que le gustarfa recibir Ia Com union. - Me encantarfa, pero no creo que eso sea posible - coment6 en un tono jocose- pero podrfas tamar las c\ases de RICA. - ;Ya lo hice! - coment6 su padre. - Comence en agosto del ana pasado, de hecho, te he visitado dos veces y nunca te dije ni una palabra. - Pero papa- le dije - ;nunca me dijiste nada! - ;Pues tli tampoco \o hiciste!-coment6 e\ padre de Brockman. Para el joven parroco, esa Semana Santa fue de suma alegrfa a\ recibir a su padre en completa comunion con Ia Iglesia cawlica. congregaci6n. Despues ella \e pregunt6 a sus amigos -(Quien es el? {Por que no esta con los otros sacerdotes? Se trataba del Padre Patrick McNulty - Tiene algo, pero presiento que el jugar.i un papel muy importante en mi vida - cementa. Con el pretexto de escnbir un articulo de prensa para el periodico de su universidad, Lewis solicit6 conocer al sacerdote, y descubri6 que su intuici6n era correcta. - Es un hombre que vive lo que predica - coment6 Lewis. El sacerdote seria el padrino de Lewis al momenta de su recibimiento en Ia Iglesia, y hoy en dia, ella lo menciona como Ia infiuencia fundamental en su proceso de conversion; pero no lomas importante. - La Eucarislfa -(omenta Lewis. - Me conecte con Ia presencia en los mas profundo, intuitive y casi de forma inconcieme . En 1997, Melissa DuCharme ingrcs6 en El Padre Pat fue el primero en decirle a las filas de Ia Iglesia. Debido a que su familia Lewis sabre Ia Madonna House Apostoestaba muy envuelta en los asuntos de Ia lote, lo cual se convirti6 en su vocaci6n. Iglesia, ella credo como luterana y luego se La Madonna House es una comunidad cas6 con un catolico. -Querfamos asistir a Ia cat6lica laica de hombres, mujeres y misrna Iglesia y visitamos muchas de elias. sacerdotes dedicados a\ servicio de Nos gusto Ia iglesia de St. Michael en Cary. Jesucristo. Catherine Doherty, fundadorn de\ Iugar en 1947 en Ontario, Canada, - coment6. Pero,tcual fue cl factor fundamental de su conversion? -La belleza de ha establecido misioncs a nivel mundial. Ia Eucaristla, el significado de Ia comuni6n En Ia actualidad, Lewis trabaja en Raleigh Field House, y sc dedica a escribir una - cementa sin pensarlo dos veces. -Me enamore de Ia fe durante el probiograffa sabre Catherine Doherty. grama RICA- explica- La Iglesia tiene mucho que ofrecer a medida que nos deEl Padre Brockman ha sido testigo senvolvemos en Ia vida. Cuando mi abuelo de muchas conversiones al catolicismo. falleci6, fue reconfortante pensar en el como Cada jomada es tinica, pero todas tienes mi mediador, luego, me convert! en madrey similitudes. aprendf a valorar mi relaci6n con Ia Virgen - Hay muchas casas par Ia cuallas per- ' Marfa. Recientemente, Ia enseiianza social sonas sc sienten atrafdas en el comienzo de Ia Iglesia me habla con fuerza. -cementa. - La encrgfa de Ia comunidad de fe, su misi6n, Ia belleza de Ia mtisica o La historia de Ia Iglesia y un ministro de Ia arquitectura, los heroes de Ia fe, canprotestante iniciaron a Echo Le\vis en su onizados o no, etc. Todos esos elementos camino a Ia conversion. En los 60, durante son clave, pero lo que realmentc haec que las personas se imeresen en nuestra sus ai'los universitarios se inscribi6 en una clase de historia de Ia Iglesia en una Iglesia es Ia experiencia que se vive en iglesia Presbiteriana del area. - Dos cosas las Misas y Ia profundidad de las enseme llamaron Ia atenci6n - cementa Lewis. i'lanzas de Ia Iglesia. Hay una frase en - El ministro dijo que los protestantes no Latin que dice: Lex orando, lex credendi reconocen a Maria y que Ia historia de Ia (Ia ley de Ia ornci6n es Ia ley de Ia fe) A Iglesia comenz6 con Ia Iglesia Catolica. traves de Ia Liturgia, cuando se celebra Un domingo, - estaba aburrida, asl que con gran reverencia, tienen acceso a las me decidf a asistir a Ia Misa catolica con creencias de Ia Iglesia inspiradas en las unos amigos. Durante Ia comuni6n, ella se Escrituras y en Ia sagrada trndici6n a \o dio cuenta de un barbudo sacerdote en Ia largo de Ia historia. ••••••••• ••••••••• ••••••••• Por Ridt Reece I Fotograjias po•· Denmarlt Pl10to & Video iY<' q ue - u:oled Querido lector: Un amigo dice que Ia Pascua es el dia mas importante del aiio para los cat61icos, pero pense que el dia mas importante era Navidad, por favor explique. y teologico, enfatiza Ia imponancia de Ia Rcsurrccci6n en nuestra histmia de Ia salvaci6n, peru at nivel popular, algunos no discuten que Ia Navidad tiene mas peso en ciertas culturas que Ia Pascua y nuestra cultura Americana es una de elias. Emonces, Ia preguma de Ia NaVJdad versus Ia Pascua es un asunto cui· tural y no una pregunta teol6gica. De hecho, muchas culturas catolicas fuera de nuestra cultura caL6lica Americana celebra Ia encamacion de diferentes maneras: En MIX!co, las Posadas, Ia renovaci6n de Malia y jose, los migrantes que buscan refugio y resguardo en los dias antes del nacimiento de jest1s, son mas festivos que el 25 de diciembrc. La celebraci6n de los "trcs reyes magos~ el6 de enero es mas celebrado que el 25 de diciembrc en muchos de las cuiturns latinoamericanas. En culturas catolicas de Europa, Ia Manifestaci6n del Senor a los Gentiles, Ia Epifanla, es mas celebrada que el mismo 25 de diciembre. Nosotros los cat6licos ameticanos debemos distinguir entre los asuntos culturalcs y los asuntos de fe. Es facil ser arrastrado porIa cultura del Iugar donde uno reside; si Ia persona no piensa en sus creencias y lo que es importante, entonces Ia fe de esa persona es superficial y esa fe no sobrcvive a las dificultades que Ia vida le presenta a cada ser humano. La persona de fe no permite que Ia cultura secular dictamine su fe. La persona de fe trata de formar su cuhura de acuerdo con sus creencias. eg(ln San Pablo: ~ ...Y si Cristo no ha resucitado, nuestra predicaci6n no sirve para nada, como tampoco Ia fe de ustedes." o ~m~ 15 Hl Esta C}..'Prcsi6n de creencia cat6lica define los fundamentos de nuestra fe. Primero. Ia experiencia personal de Maria Magdalena, el primer dia al comienzo de Ia semana; segundo. Ia experiencia de los prirneros seguidores de Jeslls y tercero. Ia experiencia personal de San Pablo del Senor Resucitado en el camino hacia Damasco dos decadas antes de Ia primera celebraci6n de Ia Pascua, quizas no fueramos los cristianos que somos hoy en dia La Pascua celebra Ia victoria de jesus sobre Ia La Pascua celebra Ia victoria de Jesus muerte y celebra nuestra fe sobre Ia muerte y celebra nuestra fe que Ia vida no termina con Ia muerte. De esta manera, que Ia vida no termina con Ia muerte. De Ia Pascua es Ia fiesta mas esta manera, Ia Pascua es Ia fiesta mas solemne solemne para los cristianos para los cristianos cat61icos quienes profesan Ia cat6licos quienes profesan Ia creencia de que nuestro creencia de que nuestro Dios es el Dios de Ia Dios es el Dios de Ia vida y vida y no un Dios de muerte. no un Dios de muerte. Sin embargo, su preguma conlleva a hacer otra consideraci6n importante. A nivel de Ia fe, el El cristiano experimenta lo que el Salvador experiment6, como los malos entendidos y las traiciones de Cristianismo es unico en Ia creencia de que un aquellos mas cercanos a cl. El ctistiano experimema Dios Divino vino entr6 en nuestras vida en Ia forma de un ser humano, y este evento lo defin- dar todo de si mismo at igual que experimenta Ia imos como Ia Encarnacion. Tambien celebramos muerte de muchas maneras, pero, el Cristiano tambicn el nacimiento de jesU.S y lo llamamosla fiesta de experimenta Ia resurrcccion como resuhado de esas muenes. Finalmente, el cristiano cree que Ia vida Ia Natividad. En mi opint6n, seria poco productive discutir supera incluso Ia muerte fisica. Para nosotros los cat6licos no existe mejor manera de experimcntas Ia cual de las celebraciones es mas importante fe durante Ia Pascua que unirse a Ia comunidad en las para Ia fe cristiana. La tradicion que conileva a Ia escritura del Evangelic y subsecelebraciones liturgicas enfocadas el ttiduo del sufrimiento, muerte y resurreccion de nuestro Salvacuentemente al pensamiento espititual NC Catholics 18 ~ larrh 20081 www.DioceaeofRateigh.org I www.NCCalholics.org dor. Nuestro panicipaci6n durante los tres d!as de celebraci6n de: La Ultima Cena del Senor el jueves santo, Ia Pasion el Viemes Santo y Ia Gran Vigilia Pascual del sabado por Ia noche antes de manana del domingo; hacemos esto no solo con nuestro presencia, tambien cuando prestamos atenci6n a las palabras y u los sfmbolos dumnte lu celebraci6n. Nuestro cultum Americuna no nos brinda eltiempo librc que necesitumos para estar en completa quietud por seis homs dumnte tres d!as en un lugur sagmdo, entonces muchos cut6licos tienen que ingeniarselas pum ulimentar y fortulecer lu fey clara csta que se debe asistir como mfnimo a IC1 Misa del Domingo de Puscuu. Quizas unu de Ius experiencias mas espiritualcs de Ia celebraci6n y Ia imponancia de Ia Pascua pam los cat6licos son durante Ia Gran Vigilia Pascual que se lleva a cubo al atardecer. Quizas eJ hecho de sacrificar las actividades rutinarias del sabado para experimemar el verdudero sentido de estes dos mil m1os de historia de Ia celebrac16n victoriosa de Ia vidu sobre Ia muene, puede imerpretarse como una manera de apreciar Ia imponancia de IC1 mumvilla de Ia Rcsurrecci6n de Cristo. De no ser posible panicipar en esta celebraci6n, tambien puede disfrutar de un memento de quietud o discutir con otros miembros de ICl familia, de las escnturas, de las oraciones y s!mbolos que hacen de este rito de lu Vigiha Pascuul unu expenenciu gratificante y apreciativa de Ia imponuncia de esta celebraci6n para los catolicos. La fe pascual define a los cristianos catohcos y esta fe no puede explicurse con palubras, puesto que Ia fe Pascual es una forma de vida. jj -Ell'.ldn:jon;llh:tn A. Woodfull, cs un s:~ttrdote jubilado de la Di6ttsis quicn partldpa acth'll· mente end pmgrruna RICA y end Minlstcrio llispano de b Catcdr:d del Solgrado Com:on en Raleigh. e una manera muy especial a traves de este Tiempo de Cuaresma, nos hemos unido mas cercanamente al sufrimiento de Cristo. Nosotros podemos identificar las cruces que llevamos a cuestas: la carga de la tentaci6n y el pecado, la angustia ffsica y emocional que nosotros y nuestros seres queridos experimentamos, las preocupaciones del presente y la ansiedad relacionada con el futuro. Sin embargo, como verdaderos seguidores de Cristo, nunca perdemos la esperanza en medio de nuestros sufrimientos o cruces. Nosotros recibimos la verdad de la Semana Santa: jQuejesucristo destruy6 para siempre el poder del mal y de la oscuridad para que vivamos en Su Luz y disfrutemos de una vida renovada, ahora y siempre! (El, es el Rey de la Victoria y Su Victoria es nuestra! D Recordemos las palabras de este antiguo himno de Pascuu: Vigilia Pascual, a! igual que los bautizados quienes se iniciaron completumente en Ia vida sacramental de lu Iglesia. jQue poderoso rAleluya, Aleluya, Aleluyal teslimonio de lu nueva Vida que es nuestro en La ruda luella tcnnino, Ia mucrtc Cristo Jesucristo. Estoy muy complucido de observar conquist6; Ia continua devoci6n, celebraci6n y recepci6n de tlituifo cl Canto comenzo. de Ia Santa Eucarist!a a lo largo de Ia di6cesis. rAicluyal Que seiial tan poderosa de nuestra creencia en que solamentejesucristo puede sutisfacer A lo largo del Tiempo Ia Cuuresmu y dunuestros corazones hambrientos. rante los pr6ximos d!as y semanas del Tiempo Sabemos de muchas personas en cl mundo, de Pascua, continuuremos celebrando Ia dentro de nucstras propias familias y c!rculos victoria del Senor. Me siento profundamente de amigos que necesitun desesperadameme inspirado por el incontuble numero de fieles redescubrir Ia Fuente de nuestra espemnza, que celebraron el Sacramento de Penitencia aun en medio de nuestro sufrimiento. Por esta con miras hucia Ia preparaci6n de Ia Pascua. raz6n, en palabra y compromiso, debemos jQue poderosa manera de proclamar eltriunfo proclamar fuenemente que: del Senor por enctma del pecado! Tambien fue gratificante ver a muchas personas que La ruda lucha temtino Ia mucrtc fueron ungidas en Ia Misa diocesana en con1Cristo conquist61 memoraci6n u los 150 anos de Ia aparici6n de nuestra Sant!stma Mudre en lourdes. jQue Es ml esperanza y mi oraci6n que nuestro forma tan poderosa de celebrar el triunfo del Senor Resucitado los bendiga con Su paz y Senor sobre el sufrimiento! alegrfu y Jes otorgue Ia gracia de ser testigos Tumbien fue conmovedor, vera los Elegiverdaderos de Ia nueva Vida que es nuestra a dos en nuestra Di6cesis recibir el bautismo, traves de El, con Ely en EI. iAleluya! Ia confirmuci6n y Iu Primera Eucaristfu en Ia - Monsctlor 1\licharl f. Burbidge, Obispo de Raleigh was on my way with a friend to a retreat in the hills of Kentucky. We were going to the Abbey of Gethsemani to spend a week of prayer with the Trappist monks. They are a community of men who consecrate their lives to God through Christ by living a life of prayer and work. They follow closely the Rule of St. Benedict that has guided monastic living in the West for 1,500 years. Their formal title is the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. While that title might scare a lot of people off, it apparently does not keep retreatants away, because we were informed that the retreat house was almost always full. There is a hunger and thirst for Christ in all of us, and our Lord moves us to seek his face. I 1 Upon arrival at the monastery. we entered into silence. No TY. No phone. No radio. No Internet. Only the sound of nature, or the bell calling us to prayer, or the voices of the monks singing and chanting praise to God. Silence was the discipline that really stood out in great contrast to our noisy world. The monks would speak and sing to God in prayer, but would only speak to one another when needed; "Be still and know that I am God!" Such a dtscipline helped create and maintain the condition for prayer. Another beautiful discipline characteristic of BeneNC Ca1halics dictine spirituality is its liturgical focus. They pray the psalms throughout the day and night and celebrate the Eucharist each day. Praying the 150 psalms in a structured way is called the Uturgy of the Hours. At seven designated times during the day and night, the monks gather to pray and to hear God's word. They join with Christians all over the world to 20 ~larch 20081 www.DioceseofRaleigh org I www.NCCatholica.org praise, thank and petition God. The idea is that time itself is sacred and a gift from God. What better use of time is there than to spend tt with God? St. Paul urges us to pray always. So. the monks life is dedicated to the Holy Spirits work of sanctifying time through prayer. It was a powerful experience to be able to join the monks in prayer. I had a sense of being swept up with the angels in praise of the living God. Another dimension of Benedictine spirituality is the discipline of fasting. Most of the monks looked healthy. bUl pretty thin. The food we ate was simple - mainly vegetarian cuisine. It is a little ironic that, in their work, Trappist monks produce delicious food items like cheese, fruitcakes, fudge, wine or beer to help them pay their bills. l wondered if they ever eat the fruit of their own labors? Besides the cheese, it certainly did not look like it! The monks' labor reminded me of St. Paul, who worked as a tentmaker duting his ministry so as not to burden anyone. The monks have renounced the world to dedicate their lives to God through communal life and prayer. As a community. they are salt and light for our world. Hospitality is very important for all Trappists and other Benedictines. To welcome the stranger out of love for Jesus Chtist is a part of their Benedictine spirituality and rule, and we certainly experienced that immediately from the monk who greeted us at the airport. When our monk chauffer realized we had not eaten anything all day. he took us to a place that offered a tremendous buffet. He realized that, at the monastery. the food would be wholesome, but might be a big change from our normal diet: "So eat up!" That buffet got me to think of the Messianic banquet prepared for us by Christ. It was overflO\ving. "Come to me, all you who labor and find life burdensome, and I \viii give you rest.~ (Mt 11.28) "Come to the water, all you who are thirsty! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; Come \vithout paying and \vithout cost, drink \vine and milk.H (ts55:l) We did! There was so much to pick from - a \vide variety of food that satisfied all. It was a good appetizer to the real feast of the retreat. The same could be said for Catholic spirituality. All Catholic spiritualities draw us to the Messianic banquet of Christ. At a banquet, it is true we can pick and choose what we want to feast on. That analogy does not always in expression, differ in spiritual gifts and ministry, differ in focus and devotion but don't differ in their essence. They are Catholic because they spring from the hean of Christ, are rooted in him and reveal in their own unique ways the power Many orders have of his death and resurrection that ley members transforms the person into another or lay as· Christ. soclates who All Catholic spiritualities have are drawn to Christ as their center and are moveImitate the life and prac:ments of the Holy Spirit to funher Uca of the draw the soul to complete union order without with God. Benedictine spiritualtaking formal ity is one of them, and has blessed vows. the church for nearly 1,500 years, but there are many more. just in terms of religious orders- there are hundreds of them. In reflecting on the more familiar ones, we have religious men and women who are drawn by God to truth and so All Catholic spiritualities have Christ as often minister in the church their center and are movements of the as teachers. Holy Spirit to further draw the soul The Order of to complete union with God. Preachers, or jesuits or Benedictines would work \\lith regard to our faith. We be an example. There are those do not pick and choose parts of who are drawn to the poor by love the Gospel or Catholic teaching to and charity and want to spread that love through acts of seTVJce. live or believe in. When we follow jesus, we must pick up our cross, The Missionaries of Charity and die to self and sin, and follow him Franciscans are great examples. through death to resurrection. We There are religious orders whose live out our baptism in Christ. That members are drawn to lives is central to all Catholic spiritualiof prayer and contemplation, ties. Without the paschal mystery among them the Carmelites or -the mystery of Christs death and Trappistines (female branch of the resurrection- there is no Catholic Trappists) or Poor Clares. spirituality. There are religious orders whose ' members run hospitals, or have However, in terms of Catholic spiritualities, there is a sense of ministries of healing or evangelizabeing in a banquet or buffet line. tion. To list them with some ex-plaThere is so much there! Another nation would take many books! helpful image is that of a garden. The more one looks, the more one Our Lord has established the realizes how large is this garden church almost as a new Garden of of God we call the church in its Eden. In Eden, God gave human ex-pression of Christian life. How beings many kinds of fruit trees truly beautiful it is. It is truly the mustard seed that has grown into from which to eat. In the church, God has also given us many variathe largest of shrubs \\lith room on tions of Gospel life that may differ its branches for all. T his month, consider YOW" own spirituality and ask the Lord to help you grow and expand your own horizons: •Consider learning more about religious orders. There are many new religious orders forming all over the world. Many orders have Jay members or lay 88Bociates who are drawn to imitate the life and practice of the order without taking formal vows. • Consider how the Lord Is drawIng you to himself. In your life with Jesus, what devotional practices have you incorporated that help you draw closer to him? • Read a spiritual book on the life of a saint or holy person and think about his or her spirituality. How could you better imitate his or her example? (One possible suggestion would be Thomas Merton's book, Seven Storey Mountain, which is an autobiography of Merton's conversion and path to monastic life. • Go on a retreat. Enter into the quieti Let God speak to your heart. Do whatever he tells you. - Fr. Bill Ashbaugh Franciscan School Students Pray "Living Rosary" ..,. On Thursday, jan. 31 , as pan of Catholic Schools Week in the Diocese of Raleigh, students at Raleigh'S Franciscan School gathered in St. Francis of Assisi Church to pray a "Living Rosary. ~ Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, along with Dr. Michael Fedewa, Diocesan Superintendent of Formation and Education, attended the Rosary. prayed accordmg to the seven-decade "Franciscan Crown." Father Mark Reamer, OFM, Pastor of St. Francis, began the service by explaining the origin of the Franciscan Crown, which dates to 1422, when a young man who found spiritual joy in weaving crowns of wild nowers for a statue of Mary became a novice in the Franciscan community. The young man was saddened when his new duties no longer left him time to gather nowers for his personal devotion. One evening, while he was feeling tempted to abandon his vocation, the Virgin Mother appeared and encouraged him to persevere, instructing him to meditate daily on seven joyful events from her own life (the Annunciation, Visitation, Birth of Our Church Marks Lourdes Apparition, Day of the Sick _. On Feb. 1 1, the faith community of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Raleigh celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Apparition of the Immaculate Conception to Saint Bernadette in Lourdes, France. NC Carh<>lics Diocese Welcomes Duke Professor ..,. On Jan. 31, the Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass at the Duke University Divinity School to formally welcome to the Diocese Dr. Paul Griffiths, the school's first William K. Warren Foundation Professor of Catholic Theology. Father Joseph Vetter, Director of the Diocesan Office of Campus Ministry and Campus Minister at Duke's Newman Catholic Student Center, along with Father Emmanuel Katon· gole, an Associate Professor in the Divinity School, concelebrated. Bishop Burbidge delivered the homily, emphasizing the responsibility of teachers to come to the aid of students who, despite talents and material advantages, "sit in the darknessfl of anxiety or confusion about their direction in life, and to be instruments in leading them "to see the light and to embrace the truth and the wisdom that come from above~ Addressing Professor Griffiths and his the "I look forward to working closely ,., 1 with you in the important and essential work of bringing increased understanding and recognition of I\: ~ : our Catholic faith to this campus, the Diocese of Raleigh and our entire region~ He also congratuCl lated Father Vetter, who will mark htl ',(~r J nSPf.ll ' VettPr. Dr. ;md Mr.; P<.d the 35th anniversary of his priestly G ~ lff1 t i's , anu R1shop tv~1 c:h ael F l:krbld ~J C . ' ordination on Feb. 4. I L. -· I Lord, Adoration of the Magi, Finding of the Child jesus in the Temple, the Resurrection of Our Lord, and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and her Coronation in heaven), as a new form of the Rosary. Instead of a crown of nowers, the novice would now weave a crown of prayers. At St. Francis, after singing a hymn to Mary, students lined up, I , .;f as if in a chain - hence the term "Living Rosary~ ·· with individual students introducing the joyful events and leading an Our Father or Hail Mary or Glory Be to the Father until seven decades were complete. At the end of the service, Bishop Burbidge addressed the students, praising their eiTorts and encouraging them to continue in daily prayer. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge presided. The Feast Day was also marked by the Church's 16th Annual World Day for the Sick, where faithful with serious health problems received the anointing of the sick, one of the Church's seven sacraments. In his homily, Bishop Burbidge spoke of the importance of Mary as our "intercessor constantly pleading the cause of humanity:' "We come to the Church this evening with the burden of our sins and failures," the bishop said. "We come with our physical disabilities, ailments and sufferings. We come with our spiritual darkness and emotional needs~ He added we come, longing for Mary's intercession, but must be ready to fulfill the words she speaks in the Gospel, "Do whatever He tells you~ Bishop Burbidge thanked those dedicated to caring for the sick, including doctors, nurses, hospice, health and pastoral care workers, and priests, sisters and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. Following the homily, those suffering health problems received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the sick. Bishop Burbidge and attending priests prayed over the people and anointed their heads and hands with the oil of the sick. 22 Murc/1 2008 Iwww.DioceseofRaleigh.org I www.NCCathollcs.org Father Frank Stangl, 1923·2008 ~ Father Frank john Stangl, S.T.D., 79, died in Rocky Mount on Feb. 2, after a brief illness. Father Stangl was born in St. louis, Missouri on May 16, 1928. He attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in St. louis as well as the archdiocesan Latin School. He began his studies as a seminarian at St. louis Preparatory Seminary and Kendrick Seminary and was sent to Rome to complete his theological studies and formation for the priesthood. He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 19, 1953, at the Nonh American College in Rome, Italy and served as a priest for 54 years. lncardinated as a priest of the Diocese of jelferson City. Missouri, Father Stangl served his diocese in a wide range of ministries. He served as Parochial Vicar at St. Peter Catholic Church injelferson City, Our Lady of Lourdes in Columbia and the Newman Center at the University of Missouri in Columbia. He also served his Diocese as the first editor of his Diocesan newspaper, The Cathohc Missourian, and as Chaplain at Fulton State Hospital in Fulton and at St. jude Thaddeus in Mokane. He received his doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome in 1962 and wrote his dissertation on Cardinal John Newman. For 22 years he taught courses on the New Testament at the University of Missouri. After sabbatical studies in Munich, Germany, Father Stangl served American troops at more than a half-dozen military bases in Germany for nearly 11 years. Upon his return to the United States, he settled in Nonh Carolina and served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Rocky Mount and St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill. Afterwards, he continued to serve as Sacramental Minister to the Catholic parishes of St. Peter the Fisherman in Oriental, St. Joan of Arc in Plymouth and Holy Trinity in Williamston. Father Stangl!; funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Rocky Mount, with burial at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Cemetery in Newton Grove. Sisters Say uThank Youl" ..,.. Thank you, on behalf of the Sisters serving in the Diocese of Raleigh, for your generous contributions to the Annual Religious Retirement Collection 2007. This years total was $201,467.60. We are indebted to you for continuing to suppon the retired Religious \\bmen and Men throughout the United States. We assure you of our prayers of gratitude and theirs'. May our good God reward you in whatever way is best for you. - Sr. M~ry Jean Korrj..-o, S.N.D Four Religious Women Celebrate Jubilees ..,. Four Religious women marking milestones of dedicated service to God and His people were recognized Feb. 2 at a Jubilee Mass celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh. Sister Maxine Tancraitor, C.D.P., with 60 years of service, and Sisters Monique Dissen, I.H.M., Edna English, D.W., and Attracta Kelly, O.P., each with 50 years of service, were joined by family and friends at the Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. In his homily, Bishop Burbidge expressed profound gratitude to the four women for their "powerful example, authentic witness and generous service~ bin your Consecrated Life," the Bishop said, "you have used your gifts, talents and expertise as teacher, nurse, attorney, counselor, administrator and servant to respond effectively to the pastoral and spiritual needs of the Lord's people, especially those in need. How blessed we are for your presence in our Diocese!" ..,. Read more about the Sister Jubilarians in the Jan/Feb NCO, available online at www.nccathollcs.org. MASTER OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES Our Commitment + + + Theological Education Formation of Mind Spiritual Formation Conversion of Heart Pastoral Orientation Prudential Wisdom Format • • • One Weekend a Month August - May Three-Year Cycle Toll Free: 866-866-1100 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ipt.avemaria.edu Panel Debates Doctors' Role in Executions ~------------------ --- --- .... The Catholic Community of SL. Francis of Assisi in Raleigh hosted a distin~ guished panel of eJ<pcns who debated the role of physicians in carrying out executions. The event was titled ''Doctors in the Death Chamber: A Panel Discussion to Address the Colhsion Between law, Ethics, and the Authority of the State.~ The panel consisted of five members: James P. Cooney Ill of Womble Carlyle Attorneys at law; Kathleen M. Joyce Ph D.; Uz Kanof, Md., past president of the N.C. Medical Board and Medical Society; Paul Starn, minority leader of the NC House; and Colin Willoughby, a Wake County District Attorney Andrea Weigl of The News and Observer moderated the panel, which was organized by The Franciscan Coalition for Peace and Justice. Megan Nerz, director ofThe Coalition, opened the discusston by stating the Churchs position on the death penalty: ".. . as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense mcapable of doing harm -without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity are very rare, if not practically noneJ<istenl.• Glla.IJ!sm lj l~t Ca1io.~IC 0 -..nh, 2nd &liuon. Weigl then took the floor. At the hean of the dialogue is the ongoing debate over whether it is ethically appropriate for physicians to be a pan of death· penalty executions. This issue is pan of a larger, ongoing battle between the state legislature, medical board, inmates and prison administrators. Joyce summed up her position against physician panicipation in executions by stating that such panicipation removes the element of patient autonomy and erodes the basic nature of the doctor-patient relationship. ~If a physicians role is to preserve life," Joyce Stated, uthen taking pan in an execution would be highly unethical." Starn, on the other hand, alluded to This issue is part of a larger, ongoing battle between the state legislature, medical board, inmates, and prison administrators. statistics showing "75 innocent people are saved by every execution." His figures were challenged by Cooney, who argued that the methodology used in the studies was flawed, and went on to say that states without the death penalty actually have lower homicide rates, and that the reason is simple. "There is a limited pool of money available ]for law enforcement] and when it is applied in one place, other areas will suffer,ft Cooney said. The death penalty in Nonh Carolina is currently in a holding pattern due to a series of challenges to its protocol. Of essential imponance to this debate is the Deaneries Celebrate RHe of Election . . The Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion was celebrated Sunday, February 10 (the First Sunday of Lent) at eight parishes in the Diocese, one in each Deanery, with some 600 candidates and catechumens stcppmg forward to declare their desire for full membership in the Catholic Church. The Rite of Election is a celebration for the unbaptized, called Catechumens, who have been preparing for the three Sacraments of Initiation- Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. In NC Culh<llk.s 24 Mllllh 200!i I www_OioceseoiRaleigh.org I www.NCCatholics.org February decision by the Council of State that mandates a physician "must monitor a condemned inmates 'essential body functions' during an execution and contact prison officials if the inmate is showing signs of undue suffering." The language at issue is whether a doctor must be merely present without seeing the execution take place, or if the doctor must panicipate by viewing and taking pan in the mechanics of the act itself. This procedural change directly contradicts the ethical protocol of the NC Medical Board, which has stated it will discipline doctors who panicipate in executions. In March, prison officials sued the State Medical Board when doctors refused to comply with execution protocol for this reason. Willoughby feels this issue comes down " to a matter of legality. "Physicians are a small subset of professionals that the public does not vote for," he said. "This group should not be allowed to make rules that trump a governing board." In the face of public opinion polls that show as many as 75 percent of Americans support the death penalty, the Catholic Church's position remains strong. Along with other churches, including American Baptists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians, the Catholic bishops in this country stand firm in their stance against the death penalty. They argue that it is most consistent \vith the example that Jesus gave to us and that energies would be best spent on preventing violent crime and revitalizing I the rehabilitation system itself. - A=nda Cadr:m the rite, the Church declares them Elect, and so ready to enter their final stage of spiritual preparation for initiation into the Church. The Call to Continuing Conversion is a celebration for those already baptized who wish to be received into the full communion of the Church and/or who \vish to complete their Christian initiation through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Because their election by God has already been scaled in the waters of their baptism, this rite invites them into a season of spiritual reflection as they enter the final phase of preparation for reception into full communion in the Catholic Church. St. Paul to be celebrated in Turkey oordinators of the jubilee year of St. Paul say that Turkey will have a strategic role during the commemoration, since Tarsus was the birthplace of the saint. Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed a jubilee year ofSt Paul from june 28, 2008, to the same date in 2009, marking the 2,000th anniversary of the apostles binh. The Church in Turkey is preparing "with spirit and a special detennination they derive from feeling 'one' with the apostle born in Tarsus." According to Bishop Luigi Padovese, of Anatolia, Turkey, "St. Paul can be considered the apostle of Christian identity. in an era like today when any type of religion can be embraced, in a moment in which the many paths toward God are ranked on the same level." The Turkish episcopal conference is considering the program for the celebrations. The bishops already planned a letter to the faithful of the various rites as well as a pilgrimage to Rome. "The hi-millennium will setve also to call the attention of the church to the Christian minority communities in Turkey, making them aware of the situation," added Bishop Padovese. One of the first goals for Catholics is to obtain permission from the Turkish authorities in Tarsus to make a pennanem place for Christian worship to accommodate the pilgrims who will arrive from around the world. To date, there is only one churchmuseum and it lacks a cross. To use the building for liturgy, previous pennission must be obtained and payment must be given to the civil - .ll'l!.....-- - authorities. "The authorities of Tarsus," Padovese said, "have mixed sentiments: They are aware of the imponance of the city for Christians; they are proud to be fellow citizens \vith St. Paul. But at the same time, they show perplexity and discomfon when it comes to handling a situation implying religious tourism with special demands." -ZENIT ..,. The Diocese of Raleigh is making plans to celebrate the jubilee year of St. Paul. Watch www.DioceseofRalelgh.org for details. remember getting scolded by my grandmother at a very young age for what she considered the mother of all profane utterances - taking our Lord's name in vain. "Oh my G __" wasn't followed by a bar of soap and a lashing. However, she made it very clear that I shouldn't be verbally disrespecting God- no matter what. There were a couple of other instances in my youth where my grandparents rebuked my actions. Whether it was wearingjeans to Saturday-night Mass or chewing gum beforehand, I would get the usual lecture; then I would politely nod and just go about my business. I will admit, I felt annoyed at times, but I just took it for face value - that their generation and mine were worlds apart, and that their ways were a bit rigid and old-fashioned. It wasn't until long after my grandfather died that I started to grow deeper in my faith. It was then that 1came to the realization that it wasn't that my grandparents were ~being oldfashioned," but that they were only trying to protect us and help us in our faith formaToday, when I visit tion. And I was going to later my grandmother or find out that their watchful eyes and "rigid" instruction look at a photo of had actually plamed a seed, her and Grandpa whic;h would soon grow into something so valuable. as a couple, I am Today, when 1visit my reminded of, and grandmother or look at a thankful for, the photo of her and Grandpa as a couple, 1 am reminded guidance they of, and thankful for, the gave me. guidance they gave me. Indeed, the greatest gifts our ancestors have given are not found among the mothballed heirlooms that crowd our closets, but in the intangible gifts of our Catholic faith and tradition. Uke me, perhaps many of you recognize this and think about this gift when you stare at the old photos of loved ones who have died. Does the black-and-white picture merely collect dust and cover a blemish on the wall, or does it remind us to pray for and thank our loving relatives who gave us so much. Perhaps the way in which we adorn their photo can be reminiscent of this incredible gift that our prior genl!rations have given us ... things to things to do: 7th annual Divine Mercy Celebration, Sunday, March 30. Mass at 4p.m. at St. Thomas More, Chapel Hill. Just Life Speaker Series-Justice and Reconciliation The Just Life Speaker Series continues at 7p.m. Wednesday, April 2, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Raleigh. Our speaker for session 6 is Fr. Steve Bossi, CSP of the Paulist Office of Reconcilation. He will speak on the theme Justice and Reconciliation. The program format consists of an introduction of the speaker and host group, a talk by the presenter, a O&A session followed by fellowship. The program is open to all. First Friday Vocation Holy Hour, 7-9 p.m., May 2 at Holy Family Church in Elizabeth City. The VH H is an opportunity for all the people of the diocese to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament praying for an increase in vocationa to the priesthood and religious life, with a specific emphasis on an increase in vocations in the Diocese of Raleigh. The VH Hs are open to everyone, but they are certainly unique opportunities for men and women discerning a church vocation NC Ca1hnlics do to come together to pray and be encouraged in their discernment. Next month's VHH will be held on June 6 at Sacred Heart Cathedral Connections, April 4-6 at Camp Kanata, 13524 Camp Kanata Road, Wake Forest, NO 27587, is a weekend retreat for 9th • 1Oth grade youth. Often referred to as the best-kept secret in Youth Ministry, this retreat focuses on com· munity building, spiritual growth, self-esteem and relationships with family, friends and God. The retreat involves low ropes courses and other physical challenge activities. For more informstion contact Mike Hagarty at (919) 821-9770 or [email protected]. St. Mary Church, Wllm· ington, is hosting its annual Spring Dance on Saturday, March 29, from 7-11 p.m. in Tileston auditorium. A dance lesson will precede the main attraction; music by The Riverside 8. Tickets ($1 5 each) are available at the church office and bookstore (41 2 Ann St.) or by calling (91 0) 799-0164. All proceeds will go to St. Mary's Tileston Outreach programs. The Catholic Alumni Club of Raleigh provides a friendly setting for single 28 Man:h 20081 www.OioceseofRaleigh.org I www.NCCatholics.org March/April Readings Sunday, March 23 Solemnity of Easter Sunday: Tl1e Resurrection of tl1e Loni Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Col3:1-4 , Jn 20:1-9 Sunday, March 30 Solemnity of the Second S1mday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday Acts 2:42-47 Pt 1:3-9 Sunday, Aprll13 Fourd1 Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14a, 36-41 1 Pt 2:20b-25 Jn 10:1-10 Sunday, April 20 Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 6:1-7 1 PI 2:4-9 Jn 14:1-12 Jn 20:19-31 Sunday, April 27 Sunday, April 6 Tllird Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14, 22-33 Sixt/1 Sunday of Easter Acts 8:5-8, 14-1 7 I Pt3:15-18 Jn 14:15-21 1 Pt 1:17-21 Lk 24:13-35 Catholics to meet and develop friendships with people who share their faith. CAC offers a wide vari· ely of activities, including dances, house parties, evenings of fine dining at local restaurants, sports and much more. CACs also offer Masses and retreats for their members. Com· munlty volunteering, an essential element of Catholic life, can be found in all CACs. Whether it be relaxing at the theater or enjoying a good con· cart, cultural events are another stipend of CAC clubs enjoyed by all. For the sports-oriented CAC volleyball, golf, tennis, and hiking events provide the combination of low-intensity competition with friendly interaction: a great way to meet, greet, compete and eat. While CAC is not a matchmaking organization, it does provide ample opportunities to socialize and date, and many marriages result from these interactions. CACs allow those who do not feel called to marriage to pursue their interests with other Catholic singles; there is no pressure to marry. Full membership is open to all men and women who are at least 2 1 years old, single, Catholic, free to marry in the Church, with a two- or four-year college degree or equivalent. Membership is also open to non-college graduates at the Associate Member level. For more information contact CAC, PMB #321, 8311105 Brier Creek Pkwy., Raleigh, NO 27617. ! When Marie was pregnant with our oldest, she decided that she'd prefer to stay home with the children and I e agreed. I thought it was a great idea - I have a good job and am able to financially support us. For the last few yeam, however, I've been strug· gling. I just don't like what I'm doing anymore, maybe I never ..:;;;;;;::;.;;;;;.....-__, really did. I don't get any sense of fulfillment in this work. I've often felt almost jealous of Marie because she has, I think, Brad has bein married the important "job" in our family and seems vety fuffilled. I to Marte for understand that I have a responsibility to take care of my fam· 12 years; ily, and I will gladly do so. But I've also always felt called to do they have 3 something else. I figured I could wait until the kids are grown, children. but the stress is really getting to me. - s,..d Q Encountering and Sharing God's Word (for Small Groups and Individuals) offers a method for discovering God's active presence in the Scriptures. 9am·noon April 5, at the Newman Catholic Student Center, 218 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill, is the fourth workshop in a five-part series presented and facilitated by Fr. Jude Siciliano, OP. Registration is $30 per session. Catholic Golden Age will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Fallon Center, 2718 Overbrook Drive, Raleigh. Call Mary Ruth at 21 7-9580 or Michaeline at 832· 2974 regarding the meeting, as well as info on our 5:30p.m. dinner get·togethers every third Thursday of the month throughout the year. Family Honor will be presenting two very special family programs in April. "Real Love & Real Ufe" is for eighth-graders and their parents and "Changes & Challenges" is for sixthgraders and their parents. The purpose of both programs is to explore God's special gift of human fertility, sexuality, the virtue of chastity and the beauty and wonder of growing up. The material is grounded in Pope John Paulll's Theology of the Body and taught in an age-appropriate way. "Changes & Challenges" will be presented at St Patrick's Catholic Church in Fayetteville on April 4 and 11. To register or for more information, call Beth O'Leary at (91 0) 323·241 0 or email [email protected]. "Real Love & Real Life" will be presented at St. Francis Catholic Church in Raleigh on April 18 & 19. To register or for more information, call Christine Miesowicz at (919) 847· 8205 or email Christine.miesowicz@ stfrancisraleigh.org. e Catholic so• cial teaching emphasizes e that the fam· ily is the central social institu· tion and must be supported and strengthened. However, Cathofic social teaching also says work is more than a way of making a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation. Thus, we have a responsibility to use the talents God has given us to contribute to the overall weB-being of the community, including the family. Read the parable of the talents in Mt 25:14-30 for a perfect example. Brad is more than happy to support his family, but he would at least like to explore the pos· sibility of whether he may be called in another direction in his career. Brad might consider the following approach in dealing with his dilemma: Although it may not be prudent A to simply walk away from your job when you have a family to support, it is important to discern how God is calling you. • Realize that this discern· ment could take awhile. • During this discernment, pray for the grace to joyfully, lovingly and thank· fully go about your daily work. • In your discernment, through prayer, open yourself to God's direction. If you are truly called to different work, God will help direct your path. • Discernment may require education, information gathering and contacting people in your area of interest Patience is the key. Even if you are not happy at work at the moment, you are there for a reason, and you must trust God's plan. When the time is right, you will know it, and God will make the necessary resources available to you. Embrace the joy of the journey. - Tim Rya~ n Nov. 29, 1936, legendary missionary Father Francis j. Howard, at that time in charge of the mission in Whiteville, NC, assembled all the Catholics in the area for Mass at Whiteville's Masonic Hall. It was the first time all the Catholics in the vicinity had met together: There were about 45. That number might sound discouragingly small, but in 1936 it was impressive enough to prompt Bishop William Hafey to write the Catholic Extension Society for funds to build a church. That church, 'The Chapel of the Sacred Hean," was dedicated by Bishop Eugene McGuinness on Oct. 2, 1938. Thanks to Father Howard and his successors, Whiteville would become a wellspring of missionary activity, shepherding Catholic outposts in Delco, Tabor City, Chadbourn, Elizabethtown, Southport and Shalotte. This year, Sacred Heart Parish NC Carlwlics will celebrate 70 years in its first church, even as it is poised, along with Our Lady of the Snows, its mission to the north, for raptd growth in the near future. "It's inevitable," says Sacred Hearts pastor, Father Marcos Leon-Angulo, noting that Whiteville is roughly 50 mtles from two burgeoning centers of commerce, recreation and relocation: Wilmington, NC, and Myrtle Beach, SC There is an increase in the Latino population as well, a demographic fact of life in eastern North Carolina. "More than the 30 Marrl• 2008 I www.OioceseofRaleigh.org I www.NCCatholics.org immigrants, though," Father Marcos says, "our parish is growing because people already in the area are coming back to church." Father Marcos praises the generosity and the involvement of his parishioners in their church, estimating that 60 percent of the parish's members participate in some kind of ministry. "I tell them, 'I know how to pray. I don't know how to do much else,' and the people volunteer their time and talent for everything that's needed." As an example, he takes the in~~-~~~!'ll11 terviewer inside the church, which has recently been remodeled, and points out the beautifully finished hard pine floor of the sanctuary. The flooring company donated the materials in appreciation of the Latino parishioners it employs, and , the workers installed the floor free of charge. The pastor credits the high rate of participation, in pan, to the fact that "everything about the operation of the parish is in the bulletin. When you are transparent, people trust, and when they trust, they get involved." In turn, the pastor has complete trust in his flock as they face an unavoidable challenge. "We are going to need a new church," Father Marcos says, "but we don't want to hurry. We want the people to be confident in our growth, and ready to move forward." ...1 By Rich Reece I have questions about my Will. Now do I make a bequest to the Chun;h? IDo I need a Tr.ust? Will a Oha.Rtable Gift Annuity provide me with income for life? Can I increase my income and make a gift to my Cliurch? Are there benefits to donating stock or real estate? What documents do I need to protect myself and my familyl Pkase send me information on: To reques infor:mation to help answer these questions, OWills fill out the form and check the topics in which you are interested. 0 Making a Bequest OTrusts 0 0 Address-_..-:....--==:-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 City ~ · ===--- - - - - - - - State _ _ _ Zip - - - - 0 0 Telephone ( _ _ ) ........;:._ _ _ _ _ _ Date(s) of Birth _ _ / _ _ Em:til Address _ ___:~-------------- Charitable Gift Annuities Gifting Securities Gifting Real Estate Documents Needed for My Estate Plan Other (Please list topic) Mail to: Debbie Rossi Diocese of Raleigh 715 Nazareth Street; Raleigh, NC 27606 [email protected] Visit our Estate Planning Web Site: www.dioceseofraleigh.org • then click on the Philanthropy link. Celebrate the opening of a most incredible lifestyle! - Pennybyrn at Maryfield is the toast of the town! l?'FNNYBYRN atMARYFIELD A Retirement Living Community Sponsored by the Sisters of the Poor Sew.mts of the Mother of God www.PennybymAtMaryfield.com 109 Penny Road, High Point, NC 27260 N~@ Here at the Triad's newest continuing care retirement community in High Point, you'll find a casual lifestyle rich in fulfillment. You'll love the picturesque setting. The rich tradition of d1e sponsors-the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God. And the healthy approach to your retirement years. So here's to new opportunities ... new friends ... and new peace of mind ... here's to your future, at Pennybyrn at Maryfieldl Visit us today. or call (336) 821-4050 or toll:free (866) 627-9343. .. MOST REVEREND MICHAEL F. BURBIDGE INVITES YOU TO ATTEND THE D . ANNUAL '11 oco· [; c·nn _ . .3 ~ . Mass WEDDING ANNIVERSARY FOR COuRLES THEI~ 2St~, celebrating SOcii, or SOT anntversary w ~oos SUNDAvMay 4 2 Saint Paul enURe New Bern NoRm cARouNA 2P Family members are welcome to atten Please RSVP to your parish by Aprill4, 2 March 2008 t ~N~0,,tholics Raleigh, NC 27606 O"~llno: www.DioceseoiRalelgh.org www.NCCathollcs.org @please recycle The Office Of Marriage & Family www.dioceseofra/eigli.org/anniversar:y