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The Catholic News & Herald 1
December 14, 2001
December 14, 2001 Volume 11 t Number 14
S e r v i n g C a t h o l i c s in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte
Inside Night of prayer for peace focuses on pro-life efforts
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Franciscan Sister Andrea Inkrott named as interim director for Hispanic Ministry
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Choir fills community with festive melodies
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Mountain parish returns to Bethlehem
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Deacon finds his way home after years in Maryland
Every Week Entertainment ...Pages 10-11
Editorials & Columns ...Pages 12-13
Coming next week: A Christmas Message Bishop William G. Curlin, Christmas, 2001
Lexington Hispanic community celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe By REV. MR. GERALD POTKAY Correspondent LEXINGTON — Our Lady of the Rosary enjoyed double festivities on Dec. 9. In addition to celebrating first Eucharist, the community re-enacted Mary's appearances to Juan Diego. Father Florentino, on vacation from Honduras, celebrated the Eucharist; Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Father Albert J. Gondek, pastor, concelebrated. Anallely Elias welcomed everyone to the celebration. Catechists Carlos Avenia and Veronica Contereras presented their first Communion class: Irving Josue, Jacqueline Esbeidi, Joel Betancourt, Areli Peralta, Marco Antonio Dominguez, Julio Domingues and Jesus Alfredo Maynes. Immediately following Mass, the parish youth group performed the Guadalupe story. Edith Bahen and Anallely Elias narrated. Maria Elera and Luis Beltran, with an assist from Carlos Gonzalez and Herminia Moreno, directed the group. The story is about Juan Diego, (played by Guadalupe Martinez), a poor Aztec, in 1531. On his way from his village to a neighboring village, he encounters a beautiful woman (Maria Soto), who says she is the Virgin Mary. She sends Juan to tell the local bishop (Homero Lopez) that she wants a cathedral built on the spot where she and Juan met. The bishop, thinking Juan is not in his right mind, drives him away the help of two altar servers (Noe Ortega and Carlos Hernandez). The next day, on the same hill, the beautiful woman gives Juan the same message. Apprehensive, Juan returns to the bishop, who again drives him away. This time, though, the bishop tells him not to come back unless the lady gives him a sign. Determined not to return to the hill again, Juan chooses an alternate route home. He finds his uncle, played by Sergio Carranco, on his deathbed and needs to go straight away to get a priest. This brings him face to face with the beautiful woman. Sadly, he relates his story. The lady tells Juan not to worry about his uncle because he will be healed. She then tells Juan to go over the ridge to pick some flowers to bring to the bishop. It is the middle of December, and there should be no flowers anywhere in the area. But Juan finds and picks roses, which he places in his tilma (a pancho-like cloak made
Photos by Rev. Mr. Gerald Potkay
of cactus fiber). Then he heads off to the bishop. Through persistence Juan gains entrance to the bishop and opens his cloak so the roses can fall onto the bishop's desk. In doing so he reveals an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, clothed in the sun, on the inside of the cloak. Erika and Ana Medina painted the replica of the image for this presentation. Juan Diego's story spread
like wildfire and accelerated the conversion of the Americas. At the conclusion of the performance, the Folkloric Dancers, coordinated by Alma Cabrera, entertained. The fiesta ended with a variety of ethnic foods. Contact Correspondent Rev. Mr. Gerald Potkay by calling (336) 427-8218 or e-mail email@example.com.
2 The Catholic News & Herald Florida aims to renew families SARASOTA, Fla. (CNS) — It is only fitting that the first novice in a new religious community dedicated to the renewal of the family has four children and eight grandchildren. Sister Philomena Ogilvie, a widow since 1994, is the first novice to consecrate her life as a religious in the new Community of the Epiphany that is being established in the Venice Diocese. The community, to be composed of religious sisters and lay men and women, is currently gathering under the leadership of Sister Gilchrist Cottrill, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur. Officially, the community is not yet canonically approved, but is recognized as a private association of the faithful. There are 41 lay members and five in discernment for consecration in addition to Sister Ogilvie. Pope says Turkey called to be bridge between Christian, Muslim worlds VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Geographically and culturally, Turkey's vocation is to draw predominantly Muslim and Christian nations into a constructive dialogue, Pope John Paul II said. "At a time when there is a risk of increasing tension between different cultural and religious traditions, your country has a particular role to play," the pope said Dec. 7 in a message to Turkey's new ambassador to the Vatican, Filiz Dincmen. Turkey's position straddling Europe and the Middle East, its Muslim culture and its enduring ties to Christian history make the nation a potential bridge between the so-called Christian West and Muslim East, the pope said. Document on role of deacon near completion, says U.S. Dominican ROME (CNS) — Members of the International Theological Commission are close to completing a document on the theological role and identity of the permanent deacon, a member of the commission said. U.S. Dominican Father J. Augustine DiNoia, a member of the papally appointed commission, said the document would be "one of the most significant summaries of the theology and history of the permanent diaconate" ever written. "Historians, biblical scholars and a theologian who knows the Second Vatican Council backward and forward" did much of the work in "estab-
CNS photo by Debbie Hill
Caritas labor program provides jobs in holy land Firas Younes, 18, helps clear waste materials from a 200-year-old house that will become a community center in Beit Sahour in the West Bank. The Bethlehem resident is working in a labor program sponsored by the Pontifical Mission. Congressman praises U.S. religious for work against human trafficking WASHINGTON (CNS) — Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., has spoken out on the floor of Congress in praise of two major groups of U.S. religious for their efforts to fight human trafficking. Smith said he was pleased that organizations like the Conference of Major Superiors of Men and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious "are continuing to join the fight against human trafficking." He entered into the Congressional Record the text of a resolution approved in August at the joint CMSM-LCWR assembly in Baltimore in which the two groups said they "stand in support of human rights by opposing trafficking of women and children for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor." They also pledged to "educate others regarding the magnitude, causes and consequences of this abuse." New religious community in
Episcopal December 14, 2001 Volume 11 • Number 14 Publisher: Most Reverend William G. Curlin Editor: Joann S. Keane Staff Writer: Alesha M. Price Graphic Designer: Tim Faragher Advertising Representative: Cindi Feerick Secretary: Sherill Beason 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203 Mail: P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237 Phone: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382 E-mail: email@example.com The Catholic News & Herald, USPC 007-393, is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, 44 times a year, weekly except for Christmas week and Easter week and every two weeks during June, July and August for $15 per year for enrollees in parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte and $18 per year for all other subscribers. Second-class postage paid at Charlotte NC and other cities. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to The Catholic News & Herald, P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237.
December 14, 2001
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Bishop William G. Curlin will take part in the following events: December 24 — Christmas Eve Midnight Mass St. Patrick, Charlotte December 25 — Christmas 11 a.m. Mass St. Patrick, Charlotte 2 p.m. Mass Holy Angels, Belmont Dec. 31 — New Year's Eve Midnight Mass St. Patrick, Charlotte January 1 — New Year's Day 11 a.m. Mass St. Patrick, Charlotte January 6 — Feast of the Epiphany 6 p.m. priests' holiday reception Charlotte
lishing the continuity between the first deacons of the early church and the restored permanent diaconate" under Pope Paul VI, he said Dec. 7, the last day of the commission's weeklong meeting. Father DiNoia is director of the Intercultural Forum at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington. Catholic Holy Land group seeks to avoid confusion with raided agency WASHINGTON (CNS) — Reports of a federal raid on a U.S.-based Muslim foundation operating in the Holy Land has raised concerns from a Catholic-run Holy Land foundation. Representatives of the Holy Land Foundation, a Catholic organization based in Washington with offices in Jerusalem, have complained that on the day of the Dec. 4 raid and the following day, President Bush identified the target of the raid as "Holy Land Foundation" and did not use the actual name of the raided charity. It is the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, which has its headquarters in
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tion on the following days: Friday mornings immediately following the 9 a.m. Mass until noon, Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:15 p.m. every first Friday from 9:30 a.m.-8:45 p.m. For more information, call the church at (828) 684-6098. ASHEVILLE — The Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood St., hosts daily adoration from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call Jane Sorrells at (828) 298-0334. BELMONT — Belmont Abbey, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd., hosts perpetual adoration in a chapel on the grounds. For volunteer and other information, call Marie Siebers at (704) 827-6734. CHARLOTTE — All are invited to St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd., for perpetual adoration. For volunteer and other information, call Kathleen Potter at (704) 366-5127. CHARLOTTE — St. Thomas Aquinas, 1400 Suther Rd., hosts eucharistic adoration every first Friday from 1:15 p.m.-midnight,
Richardson, Texas. Federal officials raided the Texas group's offices in Richardson and elsewhere across the United States following a grand jury investigation and seized its assets, saying it was a front for Hamas, a Palestinian organization. The Texas group's officials have denied the assertions. Vatican asks bishops to prepare dioceses for day of fasting for peace VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican has asked bishops around the world to make sure local church communities participate fully in the Dec. 14 day of fasting and prayer for peace called by Pope John Paul II. The Vatican said a variety of fasting methods could be used, so that children and the elderly can participate. It asked bishops to decide whether non-Catholics and non-Christians should be asked to join the event and suggested pilgrimages be organized wherever possible. The pastoral guidelines, contained in a four-page statement, were issued Dec. 6 by the Vatican's office for liturgical celebrations. At the same time, the Vatican asked bishops to prepare locally for another papal initiative, a major interfaith prayer gathering for peace Jan. 24 in the Italian hill town of Assisi. Sri Lankan bishops appeal for peace following violent elections COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CNS) — Catholic bishops in Sri Lanka have appealed for all citizens to work for peace after the violence-marred Dec. 5 elections. "Let us make this period after the election a period of reconciliation and nation building. Let us pray and work for peace and reconciliation and say 'no more violence in our land,'" the bishops' conference said in a statement. The bishops said they are "painfully aware of the violent situation" that surrounded the elections and of the "disaster it has already caused in terms of human life, the erosion of fundamental rights, and the destruction of property and economic resources." Nonetheless, the bishops urged politicians to avoid "all forms of violence," including acts of retaliation, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand.
and eucharistic holy hour takes place every Friday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel in Aquinas Hall is open everyday from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information, call the church office at (704) 549-1607. HIGH POINT — Maryfield Nursing Home, 1315 Greensboro Rd., hosts perpetual adoration in the chapel. For volunteer and other information, call Theresa Hansen at (336) 273-1507. SYLVA — Eucharistic adoration takes place every first Saturday at St. Mary Church, 22 Bartlett St., following 9 a.m. Mass until 3 p.m. For more information, call Annette Leporis at (828) 497-7464. Please submit notices of events for the Diocesan Planner at least 10 days prior to the publication date.
December 14, 2001
Military chaplains help soldiers cope, but Catholic shortage exists KANSAS CITY, Kan. (CNS) — U.S. Marines recently deployed in Afghanistan no doubt went into battle much the same way soldiers have through the ages. They checked their plans. They checked their weapons and equipment. They wrote one final letter to loved ones. And they prayed. Father Peter Jaramillo knows firsthand how important prayer is to men going into combat. The 47-year-old priest is a military chaplain in the Kansas Army National Guard. As a captain in the Second Battalion of the 137th Infantry, based in Kansas City, he's always had to be ready to "go where my soldiers go" at a moment's notice. "We don't learn combat skills, but we have to learn how to survive war and minister to soldiers on the front lines or at medical units in the rear," he told The Leaven, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City. "We learn how to survive biochemical attacks and how to handle mass casualties, critical incidents and stress." According to the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, more than 1,000 Catholic military chaplains serve more than 1.2 million Catholics in 29 countries. These Catholics include those in the military and their families, those in overseas government service, and patients in veterans' hospitals. Diocesan reps gather for conference on growing diversity in church WARWICK, R.I. (CNS) — Want ideas on ministering to Catholics from Togo? Matthew Ward, from the Diocese of Portland, Maine, had some tips. As resettlement director for his diocese's Catholic Charities office, he's helped refugees from the tiny West African nation make new homes in Lewiston. If any of the approximately 120 top diocesan officials who came to the Providence Diocese for a Nov. 28-29 conference in Warwick did not fully realize just how diverse the New England church is, they do now. "Here are some numbers," said Father Anthony McGuire, a San Francisco priest who is director of pastoral care for migrants and refugees for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Central Massachusetts, for example, now has at least 2,385 Mexican residents, alongside its 32,432 Puerto Ricans and 12,317 persons of "other Hispanic" origin. That did not surprise del(704) 521-2790. CHARLOTTE — "Forever Young" is an exercise group for people 55 and older at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. They meet every Monday and Friday from 11 a.m.-noon and are always seeking new members. Come and join these seniors for "just what the doctor ordered." Call Peg Hill at (704) 540-7255 for details. HIGH POINT — The following classes and meetings are being held weekly at the Christ the King Church Hispanic Center, 1505 E. Kivett Dr.: adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classes every Saturday from 2-4 p.m.; children's ESL, math and science classes every Saturday from 9-11 a.m. and Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous and Al-Anon classes held periodically. All classes are free of cost and free transportation and childcare are also available by request. For further details, call the church office at (336) 884-5858 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com. Perpetual and Daily Adoration ARDEN — St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Dr., hosts eucharistic adora-
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CNS photo from Reuters
Italian nativity figure holds fire helmet An Italian artisan displays newly created creche figures in a Naples workshop Dec. 11. The three kings, or wise men, are depicted as bearing gifts of U.S. firefighter helmets and were crafted by artists Ulderico Pinfildi, Alfredo Molli and Giovanni Sinno of Naples. The figures are part of a Nativity set that will be displayed in a New York church. egates from the Diocese of Worcester. But how many of the reported 48 Guamanians or 28 Samoans in the diocese are Catholic, wondered Sister Marie Prefontaine, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur who is director of its Office of Ethnic Ministries. The bishops' statement on diversity in the church, which was distributed to every U.S. parish last August, reiterates church teaching on the "catholic," or universal, nature of Catholicism. It encourages the kind of outreach to newcomers that a growing network of pastoral agents in New England has been developing in recent years. Pops calls for end of 'useless spiral of death' in Middle East VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The international community must act to help Israelis and Palestinians stop the "useless spiral of death" resulting from new attacks in early December, Pope John Paul II said. "I feel the need to express my deep
condolences for the new victims of the absurd violence which continues to stain the Middle East with blood," the pope said Dec. 5 at the end of his weekly general audience. "With a sorrowful spirit, I repeat once again the fact that violence never resolves conflicts, but only increases their dramatic consequences," he said. Three Palestinian suicide bombings Dec. 1-2 led to the deaths of more than two dozen people in Jerusalem and Haifa. The Islamic group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attacks, and the Israeli government responded by firing missiles on Palestinian targets in Ramallah, Gaza City and other towns; two people were killed and more than 100 were reported injured in the attacks. Hours before the pope spoke Dec. 5, another suicide bomber blew himself up in Jerusalem, injuring three bystanders. Holy Land charities work to
December 21 SHELBY — St. Mary Church, 818 McGowan Rd., will be having evening prayer (vespers) at 6:30 p.m. tonight. On Dec. 28, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, a special memorial service in remembrance of all deceased children, born and unborn, will be held at 6:30 p.m. For further information or questions, contact the church office at (704) 487-7697 or Mary Frye at (704) 538-7187. 24 CHARLOTTE — Volunteers will be needed for the St. Patrick Cathedral annual Christmas dinner held on Dec. 25 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. People are needed to: transport people to and from the dinner or deliver meals; help decorate, distribute gifts or carve turkeys; help cook or clean up; or donate gifts, warm clothing, monetary help or baked goods. Each year over 1,800 meals and gifts are distributed, and about 1,000 meals are delivered. For further information about volunteering or helping the group from Dec 24-26, call Tamara
DelGrosso, pastoral coordinator, at (704) 334-2283, Ext. 29, with name, phone numbers and number of people volunteering by Dec. 21. 28 CHARLOTTE — St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd., will celebrate the Mass of the Holy Innocents at 12:10 p.m. Father Mark Lamprich will be the celebrant. For more information, call the church office at (704) 554-7088. 31 MAGGIE VALLEY — All are invited to attend Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center, 103 Living Waters Lane, to "welcome the New Year." The Augustinian Friars will share in an evening of recollection, silence, community and prayer beginning with a New Year's Eve supper at 7:30 p.m. followed by a conference, faith sharing and midnight Mass. The evening will conclude with a social at the Augustinian Friary, and the retreat will end with brunch on New Year's Day. For registration and other information, call the center at (828) 926-3833 or email email@example.com.
provide relief, joy for Christmas holiday JERUSALEM (CNS) — As Palestinian Christians prepare for a second Christmas amid increased violence, Holy Land charities find themselves once again trying to provide some relief, as well as some joy, for the Christmas holiday. "This will be a very disappointing, difficult Christmas," said Claudette Habesch, president of Caritas Jerusalem. "The first message of Christmas is of peace, love, justice and reconciliation. But these things are not here now. With the lack of tourists and the closed shops in Bethlehem, there will be no Christmas here," she said. Not being able to provide their children with presents makes Christmas a difficult time for parents, said Father Guido Gockel, regional director of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine. "It is really sad; you can cry out over it," said Father Gockel. "People are sitting around with no income, only expenditures. It is really heartbreaking. There are a lot of middle-class people who are silent sufferers." Bishops' committee approves new directives for Hispanic ministry WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops' Committee on Hispanic Affairs has approved new pastoral directives aimed at reshaping Hispanic ministry at a time of a rapidly expanding Hispanic population in the United States. One aim is to foster greater integration with other church ministries and to train Hispanics for leadership roles in the entire church. The 32-page directives also encourage working more closely with other ethnic groups, training Hispanic women for leadership positions in the church and society, encouraging more Hispanic vocations to the priesthood and permanent diaconate, and addressing social and political issues affecting Hispanics. The document, "A Pastoral Framework to Further Develop Hispanic Ministry," was approved Nov. 11 and made available later in the month to Catholic News Service.
Ongoing ASHEVILLE — The hours for the Nazareth House Family Ministry and Lending Library, 474 Haywood Rd., are as follows: Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m., Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nazareth House is a family ministry dedicated to promoting the blessings of Christian marriage, chastity, natural family planning and post-abortion healing. For further details, call (828) 250-9690 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com. ASHEVILLE — The Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood St., hosts free tours of the historic church after each weekend Mass. The Masses are celebrated every Sat. at 5 p.m., and on Sun. at 9 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. For more information on scheduling guided tours, call Shirley Gregory at (828) 274-4592. CHARLOTTE — The Knights of Columbus Council 770 will host bingo every Monday night at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Ann Church activity center, 3635 Park Rd. Call Charles Nesto at (704) 398-0879 for more information. CHARLOTTE — Catholic Singles of Charlotte is a non-denominational, social group for singles over 21. Events include Mass and brunch, weekend trips, movies,
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Holy day brings message of From Staff and Wire reports CHARLOTTE — A young Jewish maiden, possibly 14 or 15 years of age, received an invitation from God to become the mother of the long promised Messiah. Her acceptance of His invitation was anticipated by God's granting her the privilege of being filled with grace from the very moment of her conception. You and I received this gift when we were baptized. Bishop William G. Curlin urged those celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in St. Patrick Cathedral to imitate the faith of the Blessed Mother in their daily life. "Faith is needed to overcome the many grave challenges facing mankind. America and the entire world suffer the consequences of the tragedies that occur on Sept. 11. If we are to overcome and not be overcome by hatred and violence, we must daily recommit ourselves to work for peace and justice." He added, "We must risk our hearts and bring God's love to the victims of war and poverty. There is no true peace without God's love." In Italy, Pope John Paul II pleaded for the Blessed Virgin Mary's intercession in bringing peace to the world as he marked the Dec. 8 feast with the midday recitation of the Angelus and an afternoon visit to Rome's Spanish Steps. After blessing a basket of roses placed at the foot of a column topped with a statue dedicated to the Im-
maculate Conception at the base of the steps, the pope read a long prayer to Mary, asking her to be a mother to all believers. "Dark clouds gather on the world's horizon," he said. "Humanity, which greeted the dawn of the third millennium with such hope, now feels the threat of new, upsetting conflicts hanging over it. Peace in the world is at risk. "For this reason, we come to you, Immaculate Virgin, to ask your help as an understanding and strong mother, so that souls, freed from the fumes of hatred, would open to reciprocal pardon, constructive solidarity and peace."
Photo by Joann S. Keane
Bishop William G. Curlin prays as Bob Attwood, a Knight of Malta, reads prayers of intention during the Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at St. Patrick Cathedral on Dec. 8.
December 14, 2001
Diocesan parishioners participate in National Night of Prayer for Peace By REV. MR. GERALD POTKAY Correspondent EDEN — Parishioners across the Diocese of Charlotte participated in the "National Night of Prayer for Life," 9 p.m., Dec. 8, to 1 a.m., Dec. 9. Maggie Nadol, diocesan respect life coordinator, said that Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and Dec. 9, the day the Blessed Virgin appeared to Juan Diego in Guadalupe, are important days in the pro-life community. (According to an article, "Our Lady of Guadalupe" on Catholic Online, www.catholic.org/ guadalupe.html, Mary appeared to Juan Diego as "the God-bearer — she is pregnant with her Divine Son."). The National Night of Prayer for Life began in New York in 1994 and has been mushrooming ever since. During December, people throughout the United States gather in their churches for services with intercessory prayer and individual prayer, rosaries, silent meditation, Benediction and eucharistic adoration. These prayers and services ask God's forgiveness for assaults against the unborn and seek to inspire mothers who are contemplating abortion to preserve the lives of their unborn children. All family members can participate in the Night of Prayer. The parishes of the Charlotte diocese involved in this year's Night of Prayer for Life were Holy Spirit, Denver; St. Lucien, Spruce Pine; Our Lady of Grace, Greensboro; St. Joseph of the Hills, Eden; Holy Infant, Reidsville; Our Lady of the Rosary, Lexington; St. Joseph, Asheboro; Holy Family, Clemmons; St. Margaret Mary, Swannanoa; St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Matthew, Charlotte; and Sacred
Heart, Salisbury. Father Thomas Selvaraj, pastor of St. Joseph of the Hills, held Benediction, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the rosary and an hour of reflection on Dec. 8. This feast is often confused with Jesus' conception, but Jesus could not have been conceived on Dec. 8 and born on Dec. 25. However, Dec. 8 is the day on which, tradition says, Mary was immaculately conceived in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. Therefore, Father Selvaraj said, it is "most appropriate to celebrate (Dec. 8) with a Night of Prayer for Life for it is through conception that life begins and develops through maturity, until that life returns to the Father to give him the honor and glory due his name." Gail Evans-Jones, the director of the Rockingham Pregnancy Care Center, gave a reflection on the beginning of life and on motherhood. Parishioner Lucille Minter commented on how simple and elegant the Night of Prayer for life was, and that she came "to pray for life, babies, the aged and all the suffering." Melinda Simpson, who felt overwhelming love and peace as she left the service, attended "to remember the unborn, their mothers, the sick and the aged." Throughout the reflection she concentrated on "how beautiful this life God gave us really is." Staff Writer Alesha M. Price contributed to this story
December 14, 2001
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Sister helps to spread Hispanic
and other issues. Hispanic Ministry serves as a link between the Hispanic community and the diocese and is a sounding board for those who would not otherwise have a voice. "One of the big challenges is the language barrier," she said. "We have bilingual people but not enough. However, I see progress, and people learning each other's languages and cultures." According to statistics from the United States Census Bureau, North Carolina is one of four states where the number of Hispanics has grown significantly, more than doubling, between April 1, 1990, and July 1, 1998. The population has grown more than 110 percent, with approximately 300,000 people living in the state and an estimated 60,000 Hispanics in Charlotte alone. Sister Andrea began her ministerial work in the Diocese of Charlotte around the same time Hispanics began surging into North Carolina. She had come via her home state of Ohio, and Chiapas, Mexico, where she worked as a missionary for seven years. The cradle Catholic was inspired by women religious in her family and school and by her own personal calling to dedicate her life to God in the order of the Sisters of St. Francis of Tiffin, Ohio. After professing her final vows in 1965, she requested to be sent to Mexico. Using her Spanish skills, she worked in a bilingual parish in Ohio and later earned her master's degree in pastoral ministry with Hispanic Ministry as a specialty. She arrived in the Diocese of Charlotte in Yadkinville, a small town with a growing Hispanic population, and helped to transform a hardware store into a church, parish center and home away from home for people in the area. She said that anyone interested in working in Hispanic Ministry could begin by performing simple tasks including welcoming Hispanics attending English-speaking Masses at their parishes, attending a Spanish-speaking Mass, donating to the Diocesan Support Appeal and volunteering in various ministries. "The coordinator of Hispanic Ministry cannot do it all," said Sister Andrea. "We need to recruit some people who have the desire to serve
Polish composer known for horror films pleases pope with Mass score
Photo by Alesha M. Price
Franciscan Sister Andrea Inkrott, interim diocesan director of Hispanic Ministry, checks her schedule with Laura Garza Doyle, coordinator of Hispanic Ministry at St. Aloysius Church in Hickory. Doyle will take over Sister Andrea's duties as the coordinator of Hispanic Ministry in the Hickory Vicariate while Sister Andrea serves as the diocesan director. Doyle, a native of Mexico, says that being in the same situation as many Hispanics who have come to the United States gives her an insight on effectively helping people. coordinator of Boone Vicariate Hispanic Ministry — has helped to establish a Catholic church and a Hispanic Ministry center in Yadkinville, near Winston-Salem. Sister Andrea has developed Hispanic Ministry in the Hickory Vicariate since 1999 and travels to the four parishes and two missions in her target area. "The Hispanic presence is seen as a blessing, and we can learn much from their community," Sister Andrea said. "They bring another way of practicing the faith, which embodies their culture and heritage. The parishes need to work on becoming environments where inculturation — the opportunity for expression of worship with a mixture of cultures — can take place." Even though she will be in the position for only a few months, she hopes to visit with priests, parish council members and others to keep the lines of communication open. "I want to let people know what's going on with Hispanic Ministry and to show them how everything fits together," she said. "Hispanic Ministry is not something that is meant to be separate. We are all part of one church." Sister Andrea said that many needs in the Hispanic community exist, including lack of transportation, language problems, unemployment
By ALESHA M. PRICE Staff Writer LENOIR — Franciscan Sister Andrea Inkrott has spent much of her career as a woman religious working with Hispanics in the United States and in Mexico. She has helped hundreds of people settle into new lives and to re-establish their faith practices in this country. Her work as the coordinator of Hispanic Ministry in the Hickory Vicariate and her nearly 30 years of working with Hispanics has led her to being named the interim diocesan director of Hispanic Ministry. Committed to the position until February, Sister Andrea says she will pick up where the former director, Vincentian Father Vincent Finnerty, left off: "I want to continue what Father Vincent was trying to do, to be more of a bridge among the diocesan office of Hispanic Ministry, the diocesan priests and parishioners. I consider it a privilege, and I've been shown so much support. It has been a humbling experience." Working in the Diocese of Charlotte since 1990, Sister Andrea — with the aid of Franciscan Sister Linda Scheckelhoff,
By John Thavis Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A Polish composer famous for horror film soundtracks struck a new note when he wrote the music for a solemn Mass and heard it performed for Pope John Paul II. Wojciech Kilar called the concert at the Vatican Dec. 7 "the most important event of my life." The pope called the work "magnificent" and said it was animated by an intense mysticism. Kilar, 69, is best known in Poland for the musical scores to more than 140 films, many of them horror movies like "Dracula" and "The Voice From Beyond." In recent years, his music has tackled such varied themes as the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe and the magic of "The Lord of the Rings." At a press conference in Rome Dec. 6, Kilar said he was apprehensive about embarking on a project that strayed so far from his usual field of composition. What encouraged him, he said, was a strange feeling of inspiration and the deep religious sentiments of his wife. He said he titled his work "Mass for Peace" because "every Mass is for peace." In the "Gloria," he inserted musical themes from the folk music of the Tatra Mountain region, where the pope used to hike as a youth. "I hope the pope appreciates it," he said. The performance in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall was directed by Kazimierz Kord with the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Warsaw, which was celebrating its 100th anniversary. Afterward, the pope gave a short speech and offered some musical criticism. He said the score for this Mass, through its mystical melodies, did a good job of leading the listener to a prayerful and contemplative attitude. That's important, because every score for a Mass is a delicate combination of an artistic work and the liturgy, he said. The pope said the concert had touched some deep chords that recalled the Christian faith and the "Polish soul." In the end, the composition was not just an aesthetical success but also a deeply religious work, he said.
6 The Catholic News & Herald Armed carjackers kill Italian priest in South Africa PRETORIA, South Africa (CNS) — An Italian priest in the Pretoria Archdiocese was shot dead by armed carjackers. Stigmatine Father Michael Dannucci, 60, was in his car outside the home of one of his parishioners in Soshanguve, a town outside Pretoria, when he was attacked by three armed men, said Hennie Egen, communications officer for the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference. Father Dannucci had finished a prayer service at the parishioner's home in the early evening Dec. 8 and was starting up his car to return home when the attackers dragged him out of the vehicle, Egen said. "They shot him several times before driving off in his car," he said. The priest, whose cellular telephone was also taken, died on the scene.Jewish leader, dead at 90, lauded as Catholic-Jewish dialogue pioneer WASHINGTON (CNS) — Gerhart Riegner, who died of pneumonia in a Geneva hospital Dec. 3 at age 90, was lauded by two cardinals as "a man of absolute integrity" and "one of the witnesses of our time" for trying to alert the world to the Nazis' "final solution" against Jews in World War II. "In 1942, at great personal risk, he contacted world leaders to tell them of the Holocaust that was entering its horrific final stages," said a statement from Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore, who described Riegner as "a man of absolute integrity." In a separate statement, Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, called Riegner "one of the witnesses of our time (who) played an outstanding role in the relations between Christians and Jews." Colombian archbishop asks rebels to release father of dying child MEDELLIN, Colombia (CNS) — The president of the Colombian bishops' conference has asked guerrillas to release the kidnapped father of a dying child. Jose Norberto Perez, a policeman, was kidnapped by
December 14, 2001
People in the
Courtesy photo
Brownie Girl Scouts aid in tragedy The second-grade Brownie Girl Scout troop from St. Leo Catholic School in Winston-Salem hold patriotic pictures, symbolizing the cards the girls made, and sold to help victims of the Sept. 11 tragedy. Pictured left to right: Natasha Schettini, Anna Ross, Grace Kein, Ellie Alessio, Hanna Goulding, Teacher Wendy Piazza, Caitlin Prevette, Sarah Semke, Caroline Coppala. Kneeling is Caitlin Ferguson. the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels in March 2000. His son, Andres Felipe, 12, has lung cancer. "On behalf of my fellow brother bishops, I ask, I demand the FARC (rebels) to let Mr. Perez go free for a humanitarian reason that must be above any political calculation," said Archbishop Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo of Medellin in a statement made on Colombian radio. Two New Orleans archdiocesan priests drown in fishing accident GOLDEN MEADOW, La. (CNS) — Two priests of the Archdiocese of New Orleans who were on a south Louisiana fishing trip drowned Dec. 6 after apparently falling into the water from their disabled 17-foot boat, authorities said. The bodies of
Msgr. John Nguyen Phuc, 43, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Destrehan and dean of the St. John-St. Charles deanery, and Father Benedict Joseph Quang, 37, pastor of St. Gertrude Parish in Des Allemands, were recovered Dec. 7 in relatively shallow water about five miles from Golden Meadow. Sheriff Craig Webre said the priests, neither of whom could swim, apparently encountered mechanical difficulty with their boat's steering. He speculated one priest attempted to fix the power steering cables and fell into the water, and the other priest drowned while trying to save him. Chinese bishop's activities limited; priests sent to remote parishes HONG KONG (CNS) — The ac-
tivities of a Catholic bishop in northwestern China have been restricted, and three of his priests were sent to remote parishes after being under surveillance and warned not to contact him. Hanzhong Bishop Bartholomew Yu Chengti, who was secretly ordained a bishop in 1981, is living in a rural village outside Hanzhong. Meanwhile, Fathers Du Baozang, Zan Jianzhou and Zan Shengrang of Hanzhong Diocese were released after more than a month of house arrest, a mainland source told UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand, Dec. 10. The three priests, who are not affiliated with the governmentapproved Catholic Church, were taken by government officials Nov. 2 to Hanzhong Socialist School for "re-education" to join the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, which officially spurns ties to the Vatican. However, even after their release Dec. 7, the priests still refused to join the patriotic association, the source said. Polish composer known for horror films pleases pope with Mass score VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A Polish composer famous for horror film soundtracks struck a new note when he wrote the music for a solemn Mass and heard it performed for Pope John Paul II. Wojciech Kilar called the concert at the Vatican Dec. 7 "the most important event of my life." The pope called the work "magnificent" and said it was animated by an intense mysticism. Kilar, 69, is best known in Poland for the musical scores to more than 140 films, many of them horror movies like "Dracula" and "The Voice From Beyond." In recent years, his music has tackled such varied themes as the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe and the magic of "The Lord of the Rings."
December 14, 2001
The Catholic News & Herald 7
From the
Choir resounds with community By Joanita M. Nellenbach Correspondent HIGHLANDS — Joyous voices and the deep strong chords of the organ inviting "O Come All Ye Faithful," the Highlands Community Christian Choir marched down the center aisle of Community Bible Church and up into the sanctuary. This was Dec. 8 and the final rehearsal for the choir's annual Christmas concert to be held the next day. The faithful—400-500 for each performance—would be there as they have been during the choir's eight-year existence, but something new happened this year. Although a few parishioners from Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church had sung with the choir in the past, "This is the first year that Our Lady of the Mountains has sponsored this concert," Father William M. Evans, the sacramental minister, said. "Our church isn't big enough to hold all the people, so I asked Pastor Steve Kerhoulis if we could have the concert here and he said, 'Of course.'" Father Evans made the opening remarks and played the flute during each concert the next day. The St. Elizabeth Guild from Our Lady of the Mountains served lunch to the choir between performances, and men from the church served as ushers. Choir members this year were from Highlands churches: Highlands United Methodist Church, Our Lady of the Mountains (OLM) Catholic Church, Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, First Baptist Church, Community Bible Church and First Presbyterian Church; and from Cashiers United Methodist Church, Clemson (S.C.) United Methodist Church, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Brevard. The choir, which performs only at Christmas, alternates its programs among Highlands United Methodist, First Baptist and Community Bible, the three churches with-large-enough seating capacity. Concert planning began in July. The theme this year was "The Joyful Sounds of Christmas—Made
by Joanita
M. Nellenbach
Pictured above: The Highlands Community Christian Choir, with members from nine churches, rehearses for its annual Christmas concert. Pictured above right: Lee Huff, from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brevard, solos on "Away In a Manger" and "Some Children See Him." Pictured below right: Mary Beth Brody, director of Our Lady of the Mountains' choir, conducts the Highlands Community Christian Choir's Christmas program. in America." Except for the entrance carol, the choir's traditional opening song, all of the music was written, arranged or collected by Americans. "This was inspired, not by Sept. 11; this was already on paper in August," Mary Beth Brody, this year's conductor, said. Notes in the program told the history of each song. For instance, German Lutherans in Pennsylvania wrote "Away In a Manger" to teach their children about the Nativity. Phillip Brooks, an Episcopal priest from Philadelphia, Pa., wrote "O Little Town of Bethlehem," during a trip to the Holy Land in 1865.
The 60-voice choir has been rehearsing, two hours each Monday evening, since early fall. Beth Ham of Highlands United Methodist Church has sung with the Community Christian Choir for several years. "It starts Christmas in September," she said. "I get all excited, and Mary Beth's direction has been phenomenal, a pleasure. The only thing I regret is that we haven't had any snow." "It's been building relationships across the community," said Beth Perry of Our Lady of the Mountains, in her third year with the Community Christian Choir. "I really have a sense of Christian community. And Mary Beth has a special talent as a director. She's able to get the most out of us and really get us engaged." Brody, who began directing OLM's choir in November 2000 and last year sang with the Community Christian Choir, has been involved with liturgical music for more than 20 years. After earning a bachelor's degree in education from Indiana University in Pennsylvania, Brody studied choral conducting under Larry Wyatt at Loyola University in New Orleans. Past positions have included choir director and cantor at Our Lady of Good Council Catholic Church in New Orleans. Johnny White joined OLM's choir after Brody became the director. "I think in the summer we have almost 20 people, in the winter eight or 10," he said. Of course, once we got Mary Beth, well, most of us were not choir
members before Mary Beth came." The Community Christian Choir's board of directors is composed of choir directors and people involved in liturgy at area churches. They're working to expand the annual repertoire. "All the music belongs to the Highlands Community Christian Choir," Brody said. "If somebody wants to sing one of these carols next year, they can borrow the music from the library we're slowly building." The choir is filled with dedicated members who love to sing and who like to have a good time. On the day of the last rehearsal, they celebrated Brody's 43rd birthday with chocolate cake and gifts. The last number in the concert, listed on the program as a "surprise," is "Go Tell It On the Mountain," a carol from the Tennessee mountains. The men's voices start the rhythm, then the women join them in a toe-tapping, finger-snapping beat and rousing finale. "It's such a good group of people," Brody said. "We've had so much fun. It's such a wonderful ecumenical event. It's been a joy to be in front of this group." Contact Correspondent Joanita M. Nellenbach by calling (828) 627-9209 or e-mail email@example.com.
8 The Catholic News & Herald
December 14, 2001
Around the Di-
Mountain parishioners 'return to
By Dianne M.A. Riggs Correspondent ASHEVILLE — Into the teeming world of pre-Christmas sales, high-priced "must-buy" items and ultra-rushed lives has come quite another "marketplace"— a re-creation of Bethlehem's marketplace on the night of the Christ child's birth. "Return to Bethlehem," an ecumenical, drama presented by Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) as a gift to the community, again caught visitors up in its "virtual" Judean setting. Visitors experienced a visual and auditory feast from Dec. 6-9. Every inch of First Christian Church's fellowship hall was jammed with "Bethlehem" artisans, crafters, food sellers and even Jewish political prisoners, telling stories of their encounters with Mary and Joseph or their lives under Roman rule. Beautifully but simply decorated wooden market stalls; straightforward, colorful period costumes — 21st century Americans entering the perspective of 1st century Israel on the night of Jesus' birth. When visitors arrive at the church, they are given a Hebrew family name, such as "Andrew." They enter the sanctuary and are treated to music from individual singers, groups and instrumentalists. When their family name appears on a screen, they are taken downstairs to begin their journey through Bethlehem. About three groups of seven people are in the marketplace at any time. This creates the boisterousness of a real market, with Roman guards, moneychangers, beggars, vendors, prisoners, Pharisees, the rabbi, children and animals adding their voices. "This year I play shepherd, Pharisee, tailor and weaver," said Rob Steingress, a St. Eugene's Catholic Church member. Last year he was a rabbi and Joseph of the Holy Family. "This is a delight," he said, emphasizing his immersion as a cast member and the drama's power to make the Christmas story real in his own life. Steingress' daughter, Jenna, has played a "temple boy" for two years (both boys and girls are used for the part). Children, six years and older, were principal cast members. Like Jenna Steingress, many are sons and daughters of adult cast members who have made the production a permanent part of their family Christmas tradition. "It wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't do this first," said David Price, as he put on a "Pharisee" gown. He's had many parts over the years. His son Jonathan played a potter's apprentice this year but liked his previous role as a prisoner best because, he said, "It's the loudest — it gets people's attention." Betsy and Tim Gillespie, playing Mary and Joseph, with their infant son, John as Jesus, were excited about their first time in the cast. "I felt very honored to be asked to do this," Tim said. So, who are all of these folks who donate so much of their time and talent to make "Return to Bethlehem" a
Photo by Dianne Riggs
Picture above left: Temple "boys" listen intently to the rabbi (Don Wooten) in "Return to Bethlehem", a marketplace re-enactment of the night Jesus was born. (Front: L to R: Abigail Hart, Jenna Steingress, Abbie Sigmon, Rebecca Hart all from St. Eugene's, Asheville.) Pictures below left: Would you like to buy some baby chicks? "Return to Bethlehem" animal vendors Abbie Sigmon (St. Eugene's, Asheville) and Jim Blue offer visitors a look at their poultry. Picture above: Standing guard over the Bethlehem census enrollment, "Roman Soldier" John Stewart makes sure "citizens" Sheila* O'Connor (St. Eugene's, Asheville) and Don Shuman are properly inscribed by Griff Mellor in the production, "Return to Bethlehem"..
reality? An example is volunteer Tracy Barnes (St. Eugene's, Asheville), in her second year as "Holy Family" coordinator. Barnes began recruiting in October for families who had an infant three months or under and could play the Holy Family. During production, she helped dress the "holy families" for the hour to hour-and-a-half shifts. Barnes loved being involved with people from other churches and helping them to find Christmas in a different, deeper way: "I like being part of such a spiritual event with families from different areas." Esther Blue, who has served as producer and general chair of the production for nine years, emphasized the gifts she receives as a participant, "(the) incredible ways it has touched people." Sometimes people living in the ABCCM Shelter have helped with the production. Blue recalled one such couple with a small baby, who portrayed the Holy Family. "How proud that father was," Blue said. She told of the sacrifices participants have made and the lengths people go to so the event can continue on schedule. One year, when 80 of about 200 cast members had the flu, others stepped in so the public would not be disappointed. Like many in the production, Blue stressed the sense of family that develops among participants — not just cast members but all who help with the set, animals,
decorations, scheduling and behindthe-scene efforts. "It takes a real spirit to get all these people together," said Steve Tensi, as he and his family exited the church. "Seems to be more than an act — (rather) from the heart." Lynn McKinney, ABCCM executive assistant, said that the ministry hopes that presenting this gift to the community is "a renewal of the reality of the Christmas story and the baby Jesus." She believes that the event's most important theological message is the difference between "those who
believed (in the Christ child) and those who didn't." Rev. Scott Rogers, ABCCM executive director, believes that "Return to Bethlehem" is one of the most unique, ecumenical events in the Southeast. The production has received awards from "Guideposts" and "Southern Living," among others. It was the brainchild of Mimi Shackelford, who got the idea while visiting in Florida. At ABCCM, a committee, including writers, builders, an architect, decorators, and others, put the production together.
December 14, 2001
Around the Di-
The Catholic News & Herald 9
A warm mission spins from
BY JOANN S. KEANE EDITOR GREENSBORO - Woven together, soft alpaca wool and American ingenuity are making a difference in an area where poverty and disparity loom. On Dec. 7, cozy sweaters of cherished alpaca wool - along with Peruvian woven crafts - filled the Kloster Center at St. Pius X, turning the parish hall temporarily into an artesian haven. Thousands of miles away, in Mañazo, Peru, the beneficiaries of the receipts continue to knit. They know their skilled efforts will help to improve their lives. There's something special about the Alpaca wool. "It is very soft and very warm," says Michael Roberto, Artesania Pachamama USA board member and parishioner of St. Pius X. Artesania Pachamama USA, an outreach ministry of the Greensboro parish, does more than provide an outlet for the sale of knitwear and other craft items; the ministry sustains the livelihood of many in the Peruvian hinterlands. "All the money from the sale of the sweaters and crafts goes back to the women in the cooperative," says Roberto. "As a result, we are providing the money that helps people down there to sustain themselves." Well below the equator, life in Mañazo, Peru, is impoverished at best. In the whole of Peru, the poverty level is around 50 percent. In Mañazo, the level most certainly scrapes the bottom of the economic charts. Nearly 3,000 people live in this area on the Indian plateau at the foothills of the Andes. This is a story spun from a sister parish partnership. Nearly 20 years in the making, the close-knit relationship
between St. Pius X parish in Greensboro and the parish of Santiago in Mañazo, Peru, is one of both happenstance and design. In the early 1980s, then-pastor Father George Kloster and a group on a mission trip to Peru found themselves disillusioned and asked to see the countryside. The Americans stumbled into the town of Mañazo and fell into a partnership with the Indigenous people whose lives are so diametrically different from the North American way of life. "That relationship was built over time," Roberto said. "Parishioners here (at St. Pius) helped rebuild part of the (Santiago) church, helped to build an irrigation system." Mission trips continued, evolving to include Artesania Pachamama. Today, a group of volunteers in Greensboro carry out Artesania Pachamama's business operation. It's a volunteer ministry measured in sweater sizes and craft quantities; stacks of sweaters, some knit with indigenous designs, some of brilliant color. All meet high standards for quality. At St. Pius, the parish hall is brimming with Peruvian goods, and sales are bustling. "All the wool sweaters are generally $75," says Roberto, who quickly points out that at a boutique, a handmade alpaca-wool sweater could cost double that amount. By late afternoon of the first day of the sale, $1,300 fills the coffer. The volunteers are jubilant. They know that no matter the money raised, it will easily be worth double in their sister city. "This to me is what the gospel is all about," Roberto said. "It is actually doing something concrete to help people raise their standard of living." Contact Editor Joann Keane by calling (704) 370-3336 or e-mail jskeane@
Photos by Joann S. Keane
Pictured above: Hand crafted dolls from artesians in Mañazo, Peru are displayed for sale by Artesania Pachamama mission project of Saint Pius X parish in Greensboro, N.C. The primary focus of Artesania Pachamama is to promote and sell sweaters and crafts of the artesians, with funding going back to the women in Manazo, Peru. Pictured left: Greg Schaftlein, a Artesania Pachamama board member, shows a tag with information on the woman who knitted sweater. Pictured right: Directly behind Board Member Michael Roberto, a display on Peru and the mission work of the Peru Committee of St. Pius X parish in Greensboro.
1 0 The Catholic News & Herald Book Review
Children's books for Christmas gift-giving Reviewed by Barb Fraze Catholic News Service The following books are suitable for Christmas gift-giving.
PETER CLAUS AND THE NAUGHTY LIST, by Lawrence David, illustrated by Delphine Durand. Doubleday Books for Young Readers (New York, 2001). 29 pp., $15.95. Santa's son, Peter, was on the "naughty list" last year and received no Christmas presents. Facing the prospect of no presents again, he goes on a midnight mission to find the other children on the list. With the help of all the Clauses, each child does something to get off the list, an idea that redeems Peter, too. Full-page, humorous, colorful illustrations contribute to the fun of this book, which points out that we all do naughty things once in a while. (Ages 6-10) THE LOYOLA KIDS BOOK OF SAINTS, by Amy Welborn, illustrated by Josephite Father Ansgar Holmberg. Loyola Press (Chicago, 2001). 304 pp., $15.95. In a friendly, conversational style, Welborn presents stories of more than 60 saints, from Augustine to Wenceslaus. She divides them into 15 different categories, including saints who love children, love families, create, are brave or who help in ordinary ways. Each biography begins with a catchy idea or question, tells the story in 3-5 pages, then asks the reader a reflective question. Welborn does not limit herself to European saints, but includes a diverse group, up-to-date enough to include St. Katharine Drexel. In addition to being a great reference, this book is perfect for reading aloud to nonreaders and will entice those a bit older. (Ages 5-up) SECRETS IN THE HOUSE OF DELGADO, by Gloria D. Miklowitz. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (Grand Rapids, Mich., 2001). 182 pp., $16. Miklowitz puts a human face on the subject of the Spanish Inquisition in this book about a young Catholic orphan who works in the house of some of Spain's "conversos," Jews whose families converted under the threat of death. Young Maria Sanchez grows to love the family she is serving but has trouble getting past the idea drilled into her by the church that "conversos," once Jewish, cannot be completely trusted as loyal to the Catholic Church. Miklowitz weaves a tale that will keep readers turning the pages, although some preteens might need some context explanation from adults. (Ages 10-14) EGYPTIAN MUMMIES: PEOPLE FROM THE PAST, by Delia Pemberton. Harcourt Children's Books (San Diego, 2001). 48 pp., $18. "Mummies" is a great piece of nonfiction on a topic that has fascinated children for years. Using information found about the remains of mummies from The British Museums, Pemberton touches on such subjects as mummies in medicine, the mummy trade, what archeologists look for, and myths and facts. Color photos of artifacts
December 14, 2001
and scientists as well as illustrations and many side boxes of little-known facts will keep children reading for hours. (Ages 8-12) THE SECRET SCHOOL, by Avi. Harcourt, Inc. (San Diego, 2001). 153 pp., $16. Two-time Newberry Honor winner Avi produces another fine tale, telling the story of a teen-age girl who takes over when a one-room school's teacher must leave. Set in rural Colorado in the mid-1920s, the story includes intrigue, danger, humor and a range of emotions as 14-year-old Ida struggles to teach the others and pass her own high-school entrance exams. (Ages 9-12) SCATTERBRAIN SAM, by Ellen Jackson, illustrated by Matt Faulkner. Charlesbridge Publishing (Watertown, Maine, 2001). 29 pp., $15.95. Here is a great read-aloud book, told in a down-home, folksy style. Sam, "tired of all the buzz-buzz" about how scatterbrained he is, asks the "widder woman" for help, since she knew about "powders and potions and whatnot." How Sam solves the riddles she gives him and realizes his brain is not so scattered makes a great tall-tale based on a Welsh folk tale. Humorous, detailed, fullpage illustrations add to this book's charm. (Ages 4-8) THE GOLDEN BOOKS TREASURY OF CHRISTMAS JOY, edited by Skip Skwarek, illustrated by Valerie Sokolova. Golden Books (New York, 2001). 101 pp., $19.99. This large book — 10 inches by nearly 12 inches — is a true treasure of Christmas traditions, including some that might not be familiar. It contains a medley of stories, poems, activities and songs for all ages, from Christmas ABCs to recipes for holiday yummies to Christmas stories from other countries to traditional carols with piano music. Its four sections treat anticipation of Christmas, the Christmas tree, Santa Claus and the Nativity. This book contains something old, something new, something for everyone who celebrates Christmas. (All ages)
FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE ANT, FACE-TOFACE WITH THE HORSE, various authors. Charlesbridge Publishing (Watertown, Maine, 2001). 26 pp. each, $9.95 each. These two books of the Face-to-Face series, translated from their original French, are wonderful ways for young children to learn about the topics or can be books used by budding scientists to delve a bit more into their subject matter. Excellent, closeup nature photography will fascinate the reader or those being read to. Multiple photographs per page have captions with interesting facts about the subject, and a large typeface helps keep each topic short and easy to read. A quick quiz on each book's last page gives handy reference pages for some often-asked and unusual questions. (Ages 5-10) TEN LITTLE ANGELS, by Andra Simmons, illustrated by Jone Hallmark. Harcourt, Inc. (San Diego, 2001). 32 pp., $14. "Ten Little Angels" is a fun begin-
Word to Life
Sunday Scripture Readings: Dec. 23, 2001 December 23, Fourth Sunday of Advent. Cycle A Readings: 1. Isaiah 7:10-14 Psalm 24:1-3, 4ab, 5-6 2. Romans 1:1-7 3. Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24 By Dan Luby Catholic News Service A nerdy second banana ogles a gorgeous girl in a bar and his buddies hoot in unison, "Dream on!" Dimwitted hooligans ditch class, but the triumphant assistant principal who catches them shouts, "Dream on!" A hapless ballplayer's fantasy of homerun glory withers before the pitcher's silent, sinister "Dream on!" mouthed just before a wicked curve almost takes the batter's head off. "Dream on!" It's a staple of sarcastic put-downs, a cliche script writers for low-budget sitcoms reach for when creativity vanishes. We use it to express scorn for someone with hopes too lofty, yearnings too grand. With the clear-eyed cynicism of the observer, we recognize how comically preposterous the dream is. Listening to the Gospel story for the last Sunday of Advent, I wonder whether or not Joseph's friends might have greeted his explanations for the origins of Mary's child with the Aramaic equivalent of "Dream on!" That, of course, is precisely what Joseph does. It is only by dreaming
and taking that dream seriously that he comes to the insights that give him the courage to marry the woman he loves and embrace her child as his own, despite appearances most readily seen as proof of her infidelity. To long for and believe in the dream of God's kingdom is what Advent is about. The challenge for Joseph remains for us. To dream of hardened hearts opening themselves to the healing risk of love; of the insatiable hunger for revenge which haunts our woundedness somehow satisfied by the bread of forgiveness; of lavish generosity that conquers self-serving meanness; of suffering made redemptive; of death's dark abyss becoming a path to eternal life and light: These are the kinds of dreams on which faith thrives. Like Joseph, may we all "dream on!" QUESTIONS: What gets in the way of your being able to believe in the dream of God's mercy? How can you make your dreams for the upcoming Christmas season better God's dream for us? SCRIPTURE TO ILLUSTRATE: "All this happened to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin shall be with child and give birth to a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel" (Matthew 1:22-23).
Weekly Scripture Scripture for the week of Dec. 16 - 22 Third Sunday of Advent, Isaiah 35:1-6, 10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11; Monday (Late Advent Weekday), Genesis 49:2, 8-10, Matthew 1:1-17; Tuesday (Late Advent Weekday), Jeremiah 23:5-8, Matthew 1:18-24; Wednesday (Late Advent Weekday), Judges 13:2-7, Luke 1:5-25; Thursday (Late Advent Weekday), Isaiah 7:10-14, Luke 1:26-38; Friday (Late Advent Weekday), Zephaniah 3:14-18, Luke 1:39-45; Saturday (Late Advent Weekday), 1 Samuel 1:24-28, Luke 1:46-56 Scripture for the week of Dec. 23 - 29 Fourth Sunday of Advent, Isaiah 7:10-14, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24; Monday (Late Advent Weekday), 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-11, 16, Luke 1:67-79; Tuesday (The Nativity of the Lord), Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-6, John 1:1-18; Wednesday (St. Stephen), Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59, Matthew 10:17-22; Thursday (St. John), 1 John 1:1-4, John 20:2-8; Friday (Holy Innocents), 1 John 1:5—2:2, Matthew 2:13-18; Saturday, 1 John 2:3-11, Luke 2:22-35
December 14, 2001
Movie Review
CNS photo from Warner Bros. Pictures
Scene from movie "Ocean Eleven" Matt Damon and George Clooney star in the remake of "Ocean's Eleven." The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
By Anne Navarro Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) — Being a thief has never looked so cool. Or slick, suave, smooth and stylish. Director Steven Soderbergh's breezy remake of "Ocean's Eleven" (Warner Bros.) combines a star-studded cast with a jaunty story that adds up to escapist entertainment. However, like the original lightweight caper, "Ocean's Eleven" treats larceny as a lark. The film doesn't exactly present criminals with any ideas they could actually put into practice, but it does make thievery look easy and desirable. So, how did Soderbergh and George Clooney convince the hefty cast to take salary cuts just to be in this film? The answer is that, although the audience may have fun watching it, the cast seemed to have a lot more fun making the film. And though these A-list stars can't be compared iconographically to the original film's cast of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., et al. (affectionately known as the Rat Pack), seeing them bounce off each other is diverting nonetheless. The plot revolves around the preposterous notion that a group of thieves can rip off not one or two but three major Las Vegas casinos in one night, stealing more than $160 million from a highly secure vault 200 feet underground. No sooner has smooth-operator Danny Ocean (Clooney) been released from a four-year prison stint than he begins to round up his crew, each one a specialist in a certain area critical to the success of the job. Trekking the country to gather his crew, Ocean first pulls in casino dealer and fellow ex-con Frank (Bernie Mac) from Atlantic City; then in Hollywood he recruits card sharp Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt). From the Windy City he gets Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon), son of a legendary con man; in Florida (naturally) he locates an old
Capsules By Catholic News Service "Final" (Lions Gate) Lethargic tale of a man (Denis Leary) who awakens in a psychiatric hospital and enlists the help of his stoic doctor (Hope Davis), as he is convinced he's been cryogenically preserved for 400 years but now is about to be terminated for his body parts. Director Campbell Scott's cerebral story, though well-acted, is undermined by its chilly tone and inexplicable plot holes. Bioethical issues and some profanity and rough language. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III — adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (New Line) Visually splendid adventure tale set in the mythical realm of Middle-earth where a humble Hobbit (Elijah Wood), assisted by eight faithful companions (including Ian McKellen), embarks on a perilous quest to destroy a ring which possess the ultimate source of dark power. Based on the first book of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy, director Peter Jackson's fantasy is true to the epic struggle of good versus evil and uses mag-
The Catholic News & Herald 11
nificent effects and location shots. Yet its myriad characters prove daunting and the narrative grows repetitive. Many scenes of battle violence with several frightening images. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. "Texas Rangers" (Dimension) Terrible western about a bunch of ragtag soldiers (including James Van Der Beek and Ashton Kutcher) led by a former preacher (Dylan McDermott) who vow to protect the innocent by rounding up a renegade faction of ruthless outlaws. In between the many hangings, foolish dialogue and muddled machinations of the rambling plot, director Steve Miner feebly squeezes in the message that might does not make right. Much western violence, including gunplay and explosions, and brief profanity. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-IV — adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for
children under 13.
retired hustler, Saul Bloom (Carl Reiner). And in Las Vegas he successfully pitches his plan to moneybags Rueben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould). Although he initially begs off, Rueben agrees once he realizes the casinos are all owned by Terry Benedict (a beautifully restrained Andy Garcia), who knocked Rueben off the hill as real estate king of Vegas. Every scene is in some way related to the eventual execution of the robbery. But Soderbergh skips the usual suspense-building tricks of most heists in favor of showing off his good-looking, well-dressed cast, who seem relaxed and spontaneous. Veterans Gould and Reiner outshine their heartthrob counterparts in just about every scene. About 45 minutes into the proceedings, "the girl" flounces across the screen: Julia Roberts is Tess, Ocean's ex-wife, and now girlfriend to Benedict. She doesn't have much to do except wear fabulous clothes and jewelry, look pretty in perfect lighting and be fought over by Ocean and Benedict. In his small role as a cockney demolition expert and sporting a nearly flawless accent, Don Cheadle is at first unrecognizable. But his ear-to-ear grin gives him away and he is a treat to watch. Clooney is the silky-smooth linchpin that holds everything together. He and Pitt have great exchanges — that is, when Pitt is not chowing down. (Food seems to have replaced cigarettes in the remake as Pitt's character chain-eats the way Dean Martin would chain-smoke.) That the original "Ocean's Eleven" is so closely tied to its time (1960s) means that its central plot elements can be taken, and every other detail dumped to make way for updated elements. The remake is about posing and pretending — and getting away with something. It throws in some cheeky humor and sleights of hand to pull off the outlandish premise. And there's plenty of atmospheric detail, from gaming tables, cameo appearances (boxer Lennox Lewis, Eydie Gorme, Angie Dickinson, Steve Lawrence and Wayne Newton) as well as lavish night views of Las Vegas all lit up. "Ocean's Eleven" depends upon the actors playing basically one-note characters to carry off the silly proceedings with style. And since it doesn't take itself too seriously, hardly expecting the audience to either, it manages to do just this. Due to some fleeting sexual references, some profanity and a few instances of rough language, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Navarro is on the staff of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office for Film and Broadcasting.
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December 14, 2001
Editorials & Col-
The Pope Speaks
Biblical passage of praise for God not redundant, says pope By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The litany of praise for God in the Book of Daniel has no worry about being repetitious, just as someone in love would not worry about declaring that love over and over again, Pope John Paul II said. At his Dec. 12 audience, Pope John Paul discussed the litany or canticle sung by the three youths who were thrown into a furnace for refusing to worship a statue of the king. "From the furnace, the three youths, miraculously saved from the flames, sing a hymn of blessing to God," he said. "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers. ... Blessed is your holy and glorious name. ... Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory," the youths sing. While the verses are repetitive, each one is slightly different and new like incense smoke, "which moves through space in forms that are similar, but never the same," he said. "The prayer does not fear repetition, just as one in love does not hesitate declaring all his affection to his beloved an infinite number of times," the pope said. The insistence, he said, "is a sign of the intensity and multiple nuances of the feelings." The youths' hymn recognizes that God dwells in heaven amid the angels, but "is nevertheless near to his people, who therefore feel protected and safe," the pope said. The hymn's vision of all the creatures of heaven and earth praising and blessing God is a vision of God's kingdom, which was inaugurated with the death and resurrection of Christ and that will come to completion at the end of time, he said.
Pope says true peace must include justice as well as forgiveness VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In his strongest statement since the Sept. 11 attacks, Pope John Paul II said countries had a right to defend themselves against international terrorists. But he said true peace could not be achieved without "justice and that form of love which is forgiveness." In a message for World Day of Peace, celebrated Jan. 1, the pope urged Jewish, Christian and Islamic religious leaders to condemn terrorism publicly in order to deny "terrorists any form of religious or moral legitimacy." He said the international community must fight terrorism by addressing underlying injustices like poverty, but he called the terrorists' claim to be acting on behalf of the poor "a patent falsehood." The 14-page text, "No Peace Without Justice, No Justice Without Forgiveness," was released at a Vatican press conference Dec. 11 and focused on the unstable world situation since Sept. 11. The message's theme, originally announced in June as a reflection on the role of forgiveness in peace, was changed after the attacks to add the element of justice.
Dispel the Darkness — The Fourth Sunday of Advent Getting up through the night, which I find I do more frequently as I get older, has made me appreciate how the night can blanket us in darkness. I have discovered that even a small night light can go a long way in preventing me from stumbling over my shoes or stubbing my toe. We live in an era when light is accessible and convenient. The mere flick of a switch can dispel the darkest night. It is only in my midnight stumblings that I appreciate what it must have been like for believers of another time who saw the nights lengthen and the daylight shrink as the year moved closer and closer to its end. We know that they needed as much light as they could get. They would light large fires for cooking, warmth and as a directional signal to bring folks together. In their spiritual lives as well, this symbol of fire became important. It led to the progressive light of our Advent wreaths which helped them remember that the light of Christ was a promise of hope that would break through any darkness. We could use some of that kind of light in our Advent this year. As the season draws to a close, we are reminded by Isaiah, the prophet, that this light shows up in unexpected places. The prophet reminds us that if the virgin can be with child as a sign of God's power (Is. 7:14), then God's power can shine in many of the topsy-turvy, unexpected realities of our lives as well. In Matthew's gospel we read that God comes to Joseph in the darkness of his night dreams, in the darkness of his distress over the seemingly uncomfortable condition of his betrothal, and in the despair of his planning to divorce (Mt. 1:18-24). He brings his light in the promise of Emmanuel. Joseph's questions are not all answered, but there is now enough light to avoid stubbing his toe or stumbling over a confused heart. There is enough light in these stories for me. They help me see and not stumble over the hurt that
Economy of Faith Father John S. Rausch Guest Columnist
ers asking some ethical questions and buying with a conscience. On my back porch I have bags of pop cans and plastic jugs. Glass jars and bottles come in clear, green and brown. Every few weeks I haul the recyclables to a collection point in town. As I separate the plastic, glass and aluminum, I review my level of consumption and reaffirm my responsibility for the earth and the global society. Our economic system emphasizes comfort and convenience, yet our throwaway society ignores the effects of over consumption on creation. To produce a pop can from recycled aluminum requires only 5 percent of the energy needed to produce it from raw bauxite. "Things will never be the same" if we consume with a connection to the earth and the global society. Henry David Thoreau preached, "Simplify, simplify, simplify!" My friends, Jan and David, avoid the rat race by living on a modest income and growing a large garden. For the winter they can over 60 quarts of tomatoes, 20 quarts of green beans and stock the freezer with broccoli, cabbage and a variety of fruits. Their lives have room for God, family and work. In contrast, the economic system encourages eating on the run, shopping for frivolous things and over scheduling activities. "Things will never be the same" if we slow down, become more relational with our families and nature, and enjoy the ordinary things
Advent Reflection Father Francis T. Cancro Guest Columnist terrorism and insecurity have brought to my world these past few months. They also remind me that God's faithful light will guide, encourage and direct me if I dare to believe that this light is already here, already plugged in for me. No more stumbling, no more fear. No more oppression by those doubly dark nights. Advent calls us to claim the light and live in its radiance. Care to join me for a walk in the brightness of these nights?
Things Will Never Be the Same After the September terrorist attack, commentators and analysts seized a vague proverb to describe the future: "Things will never be the same." Heightened airport security now introduces longer lines, random baggage checks and closer scrutiny of carry-on luggage. Letters delivered to government offices in Washington routinely get screened for anthrax spores. Foreign nationals suspected of ties to terrorism find their civil rights abridged with indefinite imprisonment or trial by military courts. In our desire for security, Americans appear ready to accept some change as inevitable. If "things will never be the same," then we face some choices. One choice focuses on propping up the material lifestyle and consumption patterns we promote in America. In the short run public policy will require greater military defense, fewer civil liberties and more political independence in foreign affairs. But, another choice charts a different direction after some critical thinking examining how our affluent lifestyle affects the poor of the world and the vulnerability of creation. Recently I purchased some jogging shoes. I asked the clerk for sneaks made in America, so we opened box after box of New Balance shoes. Curiously, size seven of model #636 was made in China but the same model in my size bore the label: "Made in USA of Imported Materials." Both sizes sold for the same price, $59.95. The clerk asked if I bought American to keep jobs in the U.S. I responded that global corporations move jobs for many reasons, and simply buying American does not guarantee retaining manufacturing jobs. My reason relates to the workers. In America we have the Office of Wage and Hour and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. In China factories may use forced or child labor and workers frequently make $2 a day in unhealthy working conditions. An unfettered market promises the cheapest price but hides the social costs. "Things will never be the same" if we become socially conscious consum-
December 14, 2001
Editorials & Col-
Light One Candle Msgr. Jim Lisante Guest Columnist
also served alongside Bronk in the Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. He was a lonely kilted figure as he stood in the cathedral sanctuary, but his eloquence was stunning. Recalling a day when eight of the FDNY brothers had been recovered from the rubble at Ground Zero, he told of seeing a woman alongside the West Side Highway, holding a sign that bore a single word. That word changed his entire focus, he said, opening his eyes to "the beauty of it all." "I saw my brothers at their absolute best, when everything, everything was at its absolute worst...I saw brothers work tirelessly under the most brutal conditions waving off relief, digging with their hands while being bombarded with smoke and heat...I saw brothers put their family lives on indefinite hold so that they could tend to the needs of their missing brothers' families...I saw brothers don their kilts and Class A uniforms to pay homage to our fallen at hundreds of services, tirelessly driving countless miles to make sure that each brother was sent off with the dignity and respect he deserves." The word he saw on the woman's sign that day, he said, was "Unbroken." Then, speaking directly to firefighters in the congregation from near and far, he called out: "Hold your heads high, my brothers. I still thank God every day that I have the privilege to work alongside great men as you. You have done our deceased brothers proud. Remain unbroken!" pointment you have concerning the Eucharist. For them it is a major concern since Communion bread must be made of wheat flour for valid eucharistic celebration. I have several times suggested the most obvious alternative, receive Communion only under the form of wine. Many with the celiac problem take advantage of that possibility. Unlike the priest your friend encountered, most parish priests cooperate with this need in every possible way, sometimes providing small cups exclusively for the use of the celiac patient. Even the minute contact with the wheat particle the priest places in the chalice before Communion can make the wine dangerous for people with this allergy. Wine is no universal solution, however. As you apparently have discovered, for some with the allergy only wine fermented with particular yeasts or in particular regions is safe. In 1995, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, again reaffirmed to the American bishops that bread from which all gluten is removed is not valid for the Eucharist. Manufacturers of Communion hosts in the United States and Europe whom I have consulted have tried unsuccessfully to formulate a wheat bread with no gluten. I am grateful to you and the many other readers who related their experiences, diet suggestions, frustrations and hopes. One thing all agree on: They feel there should be some way they, or their children, could receive Communion without endangering their health or their lives. I wish I could provide a solution for you and your son, but I cannot. Perhaps in the future there will be an answer. Some have been able to work out a manageable lifestyle for everyone involved. For others it is a heavy burden with seemingly no present answer. Fortunately, good resources are available for celiac patients and their families, particularly through the Celiac Sprue Association (Omaha, NE 68131-0700). Their Web site, www.csaceliacs.org, also is loaded with helpful background and practical information.
Funeral number 255 The funerals for New York City firefighters are still going on at this writing, so many that the city has asked the general public to attend them wherever possible. Department members and other official mourners were being spread too thin, the city explained, because there were too many funerals to go to. And so New Yorkers packed St. Patrick's Cathedral on Nov. 8 for funeral number 255, just as they had been doing at other funerals since Sept. 11. This one, it turned out, was for Firefighter Durrell Pearsall, known to his friends and family as Bronk. It was a name that hung on from his childhood, when his mother gave it to him because he was such a big boy—big, she used to say, like Bronko Nagurski, the football player. Bronk remained big, a man of outsize proportion who celebrated life in a big way as well. He loved Irish music, Notre Dame, the cousins who formed his family, and having a good time. He especially loved being a New York firefighter. But as Father James Kissane reminded the congregation, Bronk kept it all in focus: "Bronk was a man of hope. He used his humor and his love of life to express that hope. As we gather, even in sadness, it's that hope that we must never lose." A cousin who gave one of the eulogies said Bronk's girlfriend, Karen Jelinek, had joined him at a family gathering in August. "We knew he was getting serious about marriage when he introduced us to Karen," the cousin said. "He had never done that before. His last words to us, when he left, were 'I love you guys.'" There were two other stirring eulogies, both given by colleagues of Bronk in Rescue 4, one of the FDNY's elite units. Lt. Mike Myers noted that the recovery of Bronk's body two weeks earlier had given family and friends a measure of consolation. When he called for the city to make sure to "bring each of these guys home," he drew a standing ovation. "I thank God for giving him back to us," said the other eulogist, Firefighter Liam Flaherty, who
Question Corner FATHER JOHN DIETZEN CNS Columnist
Celiac disease Q. In some ways I feel sad that so much attention is given to the form of Communion bread, which you discussed recently. As a celiac sufferer who can eat nothing made of wheat, I would be grateful just for Communion. It is good to read in your column about the greater awareness of celiac disease. After years of living in a vacuum, we are finally diagnosed. A friend asked her pastor if she could receive only from the cup. He answered, "We will not serve wine in this parish." Do you have any more suggestions? (California) A. For those readers who are not familiar with the sickness, celiac, or celiac sprue, disease is a malabsorption condition in which the small intestine cannot absorb food nutrients in the presence of gluten. People with this illness cannot tolerate wheat, rye, barley or oats. They are not affected by other flours like potato, corn or rice. Sometimes even a small amount of wheat may excite the allergic reaction, causing severe illness, even death. Complete elimination of these grains from the diet, however, usually allows those with this syndrome to live normal, healthy and full lives. Alleviation of certain other afflictions, autism for one, now is believed to be related to the exclusion or control of gluten in the diet. As one who is blessedly spared this ailment, I had no idea how many suffer from it, well over 100,000. The many Catholics among them share the same dilemma and disap-
The Catholic News & Herald 13
The Bottom Line Antoinette Bosco CNS Columist Religious war: Contradiction in terms This Christmas season I felt a sad sense of deja vu watching the news about the continued threat of a "holy war." I recalled the days before Christmas 1979 when Americans were held hostage in Iran, and anger in the United States understandably ran high. Talk then focused on a world divided according to religious beliefs: Muslims vs. Christians. Some saw the Iranian action as evidence of the start of the great Islamic revolution, with the millions of "them" against the millions of "us." Commentators were saying we could be involved for the first time in centuries in a "religious war." An editorial Nov. 24, 1979, in Newsday, Long Island's daily paper, pointed out that the Ayatollah Khomeini, then Iran's leader, said the struggle was not between Iran and America but "between Islam and the infidel." The editorial brought out some disturbing incidents. That week, in Saudi Arabia, an unknown number of armed Muslims had seized hostages at the Great Mosque in Mecca and fought a series of gun battles with Saudi troops. "In Iran," the editorial noted, "Khomeini immediately blamed 'U.S. imperialists' and 'Zionists' for this assault on the holiest place of the Islamic faith." Soon the American embassy in Islamabad was attacked and burned. The same theme resounded in December 1990 when Saddam Hussein was reported to say he would consider it a "holy war" if hostilities broke out between Iraq and the United States. A month later, the war to protect our oil interests in the Middle East began, and while the Gulf War ended, did hate end or peace ever come? Clearly not. Now we have an expanded definition of "holy war," as defined by Osama bin Laden, and we responded by declaring our own war. As Advent began, the talk on the network news was that this man, who hates us so, may have the ingredients for a nuclear bomb. All this as we were preparing to celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace. We should listen to great peacemakers of the past, such as Pope Benedict XV, who was written off as he tried so hard to get the nations killing millions in World War I to stop. Seeing "revenge, greed and stupidity" in the infamous Versailles Treaty, the pope, in anguish, said prophetically, "Nations do not die; in humiliation and revenge, they pass from generation to generation the sorrowful heritage of hatred and retaliation." The World War I treaty was directly responsible for World War II. What actions taken by countries in today's nuclear age will shape the world of tomorrow? As Pastor Martin Niemoeller, a prisoner of the Nazis, pointed out years ago, if Hitler had the atom bomb, he would have used it, saying: "If I am not to survive with my ideas, the whole world is no longer worthy to exist. If I am to go, they may all go." Wouldn't this apply today to the enemies we call terrorists if they got their hands on nuclear weapons? I pray that Christians and Muslims alike will come to realize that a "religious" war is not only a contradiction in terms, but a mockery of God, and that war in a nuclear age can be the end of civilization. The world needs peace — and peacemakers.
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Around the Di-
Our Lady of Guadalupe presented at the Franciscan By REV. MR. GERALD POTKAY Staff Writer GREENSBORO — Our Lady of Guadalupe's image came to the Franciscan Center on Dec. 10. This is an official image, which the Mexican people gave to the people of the United States. It has been traveling around the 50 states through the efforts of "guardians," or protectors who are on their own journey of faith. Joan Kahwajy Anderson, director of counseling services at Aucrett University in Danville, Va., brought the image to the center. She is the temporary guardian of one of only two images of Our Lady of Guadalupe commissioned by Cardinal Juan Jesus Posadas Ocampo and the bishops and the people of Mexico. Anderson gave a presentation on Our Lady of Guadalupe at the center on Dec. 10. In the early 1500s, the highly advanced Aztec culture flourished throughout Mexico. The Aztecs worshipped a number of gods, including Quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent, and practiced human sacrifice. After Hernando Cortez and his conquistadors conquered the Aztecs in 1519, the Spaniards enslaved the Indians, and the threat of uprisings became imminent. Bishopelect Fray Juan de Zumarraga prayed for reconciliation and unity. In 1531, a native convert, Juan Diego, was on his way to Mass when he meets a beautiful woman surrounded by light near Tepayac Hill. Identifying herself as the "ever-virgin Mary, mother of the true God," she sends Juan on a mission to have the bishop build her a church. But the bishop abruptly puts him off. On the way home, Juan sees the lady once again and asks that she send someone else. The virgin tells him, "You are the one," and again sends him to the bishop. The bishop, of course, is put out and again sends Juan Diego on his way, but this time, he tells him to ask the lady for a sign. Juan Diego's uncle, wounded by an
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Photo by Rev. Mr. Gerald Potkay
The official image of Our Lady of Guadalupe commissioned by Cardinal Posada and the Bishops and the People of Mexico which was given to the People of the United States. arrow, is near death. Juan spends the night with his uncle (without returning to the lady as he had promised). However, needing a priest for his dying uncle, he is forced to pass by Tepayac Hill. He finds the lady waiting for him. She promises to heal the uncle and tells Juan to go to the top of the hill to pick some flowers to bring to the bishop. It is December at 7,000 feet above sea level, and Juan has not previously seen any flowers on the barren hilltop. However, in obedience, he follows the lady's instruction. After Juan picks the Castillian roses, which are native to Spain not Mexico, he takes them to Mary, who ties them into Juan's tilma, a poncho-like cape made of cactus fiber, and sends him back to the bishop. On Dec. 12, 1531, Juan Diego brings Bishop Zumarraga the sign he had asked
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for. When Juan presents the roses, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, just as Juan had described her, is on the inside of his tilma. The church is constructed and nine million Indians are converted in the next 10 years. The image itself is a book written in pictography understandable to the people of the 16th century, as well as the people of the 21st century. The image of the Lady of Guadalupe is surrounded by rays of the sun, which indicate that she is more powerful than the gods of the earth. Yet, her head is bowed in humility, showing that she is not greater than God. Our Lady of Guadalupe is standing on a burned-out crescent moon (the crescent moon was the symbol of Quetzalcoatl), which meant that she was more powerful than the serpent god. Our Lady has a sash around her waist. To the Aztecs, a sash was a sign that a woman was pregnant. Therefore, the lady is a reminder of the coming of the Christ child. The Aztecs also saw her hands clasped in prayer as a sign that she was clapping in joy for her child, especially since her knee is bent as if she were dancing. Our Lady of Guadalupe appears as a mestizo (half- Spanish, halfIndian) princess. As a result, she has made it known that she is the mother of all peoples. "This is really special for me," Irma Olmos said of the presentation. "Everything that I see and that which I heard makes Our Lady of Guadalupe come to life." "I was delighted I came," Amy DeBruycker said. "It was a very meaningful presentation which led me to become more humble. It forces me to look to the poor and inspires me to want to do as much as I can to help the poor wherever I can." Contact Correspondent Rev. Mr. Gerald Potkay by calling (336) 427-8218 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.
December 14, 2001
Pope opens Web site dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope John Paul II marked the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe by formally opening a 21st-century portal to the story of the 16th-century Marian apparition in Mexico. Because of a displaced cursor it took two attempts, but the pope formally launched the official Web site of Mexico's Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe — www.virgendeguadalupe.org.mx — at the end of his Dec. 12 general audience. To the strains of choral music, an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared on the screen of his laptop computer. Before launching the site, the pope said that Mary, appearing to Juan Diego, asked that a place be built that would "make present the love of Christ in those lands. From that temple, she as a heavenly mother has assisted, consoled and strengthened in the faith millions of pilgrims who have invoked her over the centuries." The pope said the new site can help the message of Guadalupe travel further than ever, "helping those who are searching for meaning in their lives and reasons for hope." The pope prayed that the site would help even more people, "especially the poorest and most marginalized," experience the comforting protection of Mary's love and that "the spread of the mestizo image of Guadalupe would spur brotherhood between races, increase dialogue between cultures and promote peace." The Spanish-language Web site includes the story of the apparition, a link for sending prayer requests to the basilica, testimonies, chat rooms and the possibility of watching a monthly Mass at the basilica.
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December 14, 2001
Investiture in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem took place in Washington, D.C. on November 3, William Cardinal Keeler of Baltimore invested nine members of the Diocese of Charlotte in the order during a pontifical High Mass at the Franciscan monastery of the holy land. Cardinal McCarrick of Washington and retired Cardinal Hickey were in attendance. Sir Edmund D. Pellegrino, M.D. KCHS serves as Lieutenant of the middle Atlantic Lieutenancy. Bishop William G. Curlin delivered an inspiring and challenging homily during the mass of the investitute. Invested were Lady Alice Asbury Cella of Asheville, Sir Charles A. Greene and Lady Christine J. Greene of High Point, Sir Carrol J. W. Fisher, Lady Sonia T. Fisher, Sir Thomas B. Moore, Lady Patricia P. Moore, Lady Mary Francis Roueche and Lady Charlotte Taylor all of Salisbury. The primary mission of the order is to support the Christian presence in the holy land. Sir William E. Rabil and Lady Rosale D. Rabil served as regional representatives in the Diocese of Charlotte. Others from the Diocese of Charlotte in attendance were Sir Guillermo and Lady Helen Calles of Fairmont, Sir James and Lady Rose Bell formerly of Asheville, Sir Francis and Lady Harriet Manly of Asheville, Lady Wilhelmina Mobley of WinstonSalem, Sir Cleatus Tate of Asheville, The Reverend John T. Putman, KHS of Salisbury and the Reverend Monsignor John J. McSweeney, KCHS of Charlotte. Currently in the Diocese of Charlotte there are seven members of the clergy and forty-three members of the laity in the order.
In the
The Catholic News & Herald 15
Mutilated African war victims helped
By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic News Service BALTIMORE (CNS) — Fatu Koroma was only 7 years old when a band of rebels stormed her village in Sierra Leone, grabbed her and hacked off half her right arm with one cruel swipe of a machete. After mutilating the defenseless girl, the rebels pointed to her amputated limb and mocked her. "They told me to take my arm to the president," Fatu, now 11, recalled. "The president was saying how important it was to vote. They're bad people. They're real bad people." But for every bad person there is in the world, there are many more good people, Fatu said. She should know. With the help of $3,000 in pennies collected by the students of Sts. James and John Elementary School in East Baltimore, Fatu was able to fly from her West African home to New York, where she and seven other maimed individuals from Sierra Leone received prosthetic limbs last September from Dr. Matthew Mirones, president of a prosthetics manufacturing company in New York. Fatu and two other beneficiaries, Mohamed Conteh, 5, and Damba Koroma, 9, visited Sts. James and John Nov. 27 to thank the students for their generosity. The East Baltimore school is in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Maryland. "We appreciate what you have done and we want you to know we love you," said Damba, whose left arm was cut off during one of the rebel attacks. "May God bless you." During the visit, Mohamed was all smiles as the bashful little boy bounded through the aisles of students with the help of his artificial leg. Two years ago when rebels severed his limb below the knee, they had threatened to take his hand as well. "I begged them not to," whispered Mohamed during an interview with The Catholic Review, Baltimore's archdiocesan newspaper. "They cut off my leg and left me alone." These days, Mohamed has dreams of becoming a doctor. Damba wants to be a
CNS photo by Owen Sweeney III, Catholic Review
Teacher Mary Ellen Long comforts Damba Koroma, who lost her arm during the war in Sierra Leone four years ago. Damba and several of her countrymen recently traveled to East Baltimore to thank students of St. James and John School for bringing them to the United States for prosthetic limbs and medical treatment. Students at the school raised more than $3,000 for the war victims. minister, and Fatu wants to help the people of her homeland. All three now attend Our Lady Help of Christians School in New York. Etta Toure, project coordinator for the nonprofit Friends of Sierra Leone, told the Sts. James and John students they have been an inspiration. "We prayed hard to get help from the U.S. and you were the first to give us money," Toure said. Friends of Sierra Leone estimates that 75,000 unarmed civilians have been killed and 20,000 mutilated during Sierra Leone's 11-year-old civil war. Daphne Sawyerr-Dunn of Friends of Sierra Leone, said the presence of British troops has helped bring an end to most violence in recent months. But there remains a struggle for control of the country's diamonds, she said. The penny project at Sts. James and John was started three years ago as a Lenten outreach by Mary Ellen Long, a teacher and former member of the Peace Corps. Last year, several students from the school at-
tended a congressional committee hearing in Washington the civil war in Sierra Leone. The school was awarded a $500 prize from the Maryland Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in November in honor of its outreach to war victims. The award was added to the penny campaign. "It's helped our students see that there's a bigger world than East Baltimore," said LaUanah King-Cassell, principal of the 350-student school that serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grades. "It's amazing. With pennies, they were able to help someone thousands of miles away." Editor's Note: For more information on Friends of Sierra Leone, write to the organization at P.O. Box 15875, Washington, DC 20003-0875.
1 6 The Catholic News & Herald
Living the
Deacon finds his way home a nine-hour job and went to three hours By ALESHA M. PRICE of night school at Carver Junior College," Staff Writer said Knight. "There were rough times, but CHARLOTTE — When Rev. Mr. we were happy. Living unselfishly kept us Charles Knight thinks of role models in together." After completing the program his life, his maternal grandfather immeat Carver, he attended Johnson C. Smith diately comes to mind. The duo traveled University during the day while working together around their uptown Charlotte in the afternoon and at night. neighborhood. Trips to his grandfather's While he was working on his bachjob and to the Baptist church where his elor's degree in economics, Mrs. Knight, grandfather was a deacon were the higha licensed practical nurse, stayed at home lights of his days as a carefree youth in the with their three children. With his de1930s and 1940s in a growing city. "I had the benefit of having a grandfather who helped to raise and take care of me. He made sure we went to church and Sunday school," said Rev. Mr. Knight, who was also surrounded by the positive influences of his mother and grandmother. During the Depression and World War II, Knight walked to school where the Charlotte Panthers' Stadium stands today. He remembers soapbox Rev. Mr. Charles Knight and family derbies, sitting in church dressed in his Sunday best, and war gree in hand, Knight began working at blackouts and sirens. Rev. Mr. Knight the post office as a mail carrier. Even said that patriotism spread throughout his with his college education, his job opcommunity, and he served as a junior comtions were limited. mander during the latter part of the war. "It was one of the better jobs He collected materials to be recycled to you could get," said Rev. Mr. Knight, build tanks, planes and other war vehicles. who worked for the post office for 31 Aspiring to be an industrial arts years. "Integration was not in effect teacher, he attended North Carolina much back then. At that time, we had State A&T University (NC A&T) in some of the best-educated postmen Greensboro for one semester after anywhere. We had guys with master's graduating from West Charlotte High degrees working there because of the School in 1951. College was expensive better pay and fewer opportunities at for his grandfather, and Knight felt that other places." it caused a family hardship. With GI The Knights, practicing Baptists Bill education funding as his incentive, at the time, lived down the street from Knight joined the Navy. Our Lady of Consolation Church (OLC) After two-and-a-half years, he was and knew the pastor and some of the discharged and went back to NC A&T parishioners. The religion was not forbriefly before transferring to Carver eign to Knight, who had served in the Junior College in Charlotte. During this Navy with some Catholic men and had a time, a bus trip to a Sunday parade proCatholic friend as a child. After speaking vided the opportunity for him to meet his with the pastor of the only predominantsweetheart. Lavone was also on the bus. ly African-American Catholic Church in "He was very attentive, and we both Charlotte, his interest in the faith tradihit it off because we wanted the same tion grew. things," she said of their first meeting. "Catholicism made a lot of sense to They found they had much in comme especially when it came down to the mon: raised in single-parent homes, sacraments. Catholic doctrine was very reared in the Baptist faith and graduated convincing to me," said Rev. Mr. Knight, from the same high school. During their who joined the Catholic Church in 1962. first conversations, they agreed that "Lavone supported my decision to become marriage was not on their immediate Catholic, and she converted in 1963." horizon, but within a few months, they The two settled into parish life quickwere engaged; they wed in June 1954. ly, but the transition to Catholicism did not "My family adored him, and so did I," progress as rapidly. "The church had just said Mrs. Knight with a smile. changed from Latin to English, and there Their new life together was not easy, were a lot of things that we had to become but they walked their chosen path happily accustomed to in a Catholic setting. There hand-in-hand. Knight worked as a custowas quite a bit of adjustment," he said with dian while he attended classes. "I worked
a laugh. However, because of Vatican II, they became very active in church. "The church began to change, grow and become more spiritually interesting," he said. "We were able to fully understand the doctrines and traditions of the Catholic Church." Knight became a lector and faith formation teacher; his wife taught kindergarten while her daughter was attending the OLC School. When he heard about the permanent diaconate, he knew that he was interested. "I thought that it was the calling for me," he said. "I was doing a lot in the church already and felt that spiritually, it would be an extension of my work." With his wife's continuing support, he began the formation classes and fell back into the classroom pace. "I could relate to them (the classes) because of my experiences at Johnson C. Smith," Rev. Mr. Knight said. "They were great because the wife and husband had the opportunity to attend the same classes, so it made it easier for the wives to relate to the diaconate and what was expected of them." "The classes were educational and gave the two of us time to meditate together and to intermingle with the rest of the group," Mrs. Knight said. After ordination in 1983, Rev. Mr. Knight became involved in other areas of the church: Cursillo, parish and finance councils, eucharistic ministry to the sick and shut-in and other ministries. At the same time, his wife had gone to Baltimore to visit the Oblate Sisters who had staffed the OLC School. There was an opening for a kindergarten teacher in the Maryland school. She agreed to fill the position
December 14, 2001
for one year; that year turned into 18 years. "At the time, I knew he needed to be more involved with the permanent diaconate, so we tried it for a while. I told him that I needed to know if I could function on my own," said Mrs. Knight who later began teaching in a public school in Baltimore. "It didn't last because we missed each other too much." "It was a growing experience because I found that she needed space, and (I realized) when you saw one (of us), you didn't need to see the other one," Rev. Mr. Knight said. "We realized that even though we were apart, we grew closer spiritually. We realized the extent of our marriage and our value to one another." However, daily phone calls were not enough to bridge the gap between the Knights. Before retiring from the post office in 1989, Rev. Mr. Knight commuted from Charlotte to Baltimore for seven years to see his wife and daughter, who had also moved to Maryland. He moved to Baltimore and began working at Loyola College of Maryland in maintenance and printing and served at St. Bernardine's Church. Their time in Maryland was fulfilling for them both, but Mrs. Knight's long-ago promise to her husband to retire to farm life in Chester, S.C., came to reality last summer. "We purchased a little piece of land that we hope to develop into a farm someday," said Mr. Knight with a chuckle about their 50 acres of property. Rev. Mr. Knight has returned to the parish where he first began his diaconate work. The grandparents of five say that the parishioners have welcomed them back warmly, and they are adjusting very well. Contact Staff Writer Alesha M. Price by calling (704) 370-3354 or email email@example.com.
Published on Dec 14, 2001
Catholic News Herald - Serving Christ and Connecting Catholics in Western North Carolina. The official newspaper of the Diocese of Charlotte...