together, let us remain - faith...

Together, Let Us Remain “Firm in the Faith”

ighlighted in this month’s publication of our Diocesan magazine are the recent World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain, and Respect Life Month, celebrated in our country throughout this

month of October. Let me share with you what I believe are some powerful connections between these two events.

H It was a privilege to join 64 young people from our Diocese for World Youth Day and to gather with Our Holy Father and approximately two million young people from throughout the world. It was not merely a tour. It was not just a rally. It was truly a pilgrimage. We were united in our love for the Lord Jesus, His Church and the Successor to Saint Peter, Pope Benedict XVI. A pilgrimage reminds us that we travel together as brothers and sisters and are to support and encourage one another in the work that unites us, namely, the proclamation of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. A pilgrimage is also a reminder that it is always the Lord our God who leads, guides and enlightens us. If not, we will surely lose our way. Respect Life Month highlights for us the mandate to teach, celebrate and proclaim the Gospel of Life. In doing so, we realize that we are on an ongoing pilgrimage because our work on behalf of the sanctity of all human life is not just for a month or a specific period of time. It is a constant journey and one on which we walk together as brothers and sisters. Due to the reality that we live in a society which often dismisses and even rejects our convictions and beliefs regarding the sacredness of life

from conception to natural death, it is essential that we constantly support and encourage one another. If we dare to rely on our own initiatives, efforts and ideas, we will be unable to fulfill our responsibilities. We must rely on the Lord our God to lead, guide and enlighten us. He alone is the One who can accomplish for us what we are unable to do for ourselves.

With God’s amazing grace and the tire-less efforts of so many people in our Diocese and throughout our communities, we have recently seen positive accom-plishments on life issues in our State. We rejoice

in the passage of the Woman’s Right to Know Act, which is pro-woman and pro-life. We have also seen the passage of Nathan’s Law, which recognizes an unborn child in the womb as a victim in assault and homicide cases deal-ing with pregnant women. We are so pleased that we will have the long-awaited Choose Life license plates. These victories on behalf of human life are, I believe, God’s way of showing us that the seeds we plant, the work we do, the time we offer and the efforts we embrace in His Holy Name are never in vain. God promises that the Truth prevails and the darkness never conquers the Light. In that sure and certain hope, we also recognize there is

still so much more for us to do! The sad and tragic reality that wel-coming a child into the world is still legally reduced to a choice continues to result in millions and millions of abortions in our country. Respect Life Month must energize us so that we might pray ever more fervently for the unborn, for their mothers and fathers, and for all those impacted by the hor-rible consequences of abortion. This month must renew us in our commit-ment to be the voice for the unborn, especially in our consistent communi-cation with our elected officials. Our response to the plea of the unborn must also include help and prayers for all those whose lives are not honored and protected. Respect Life Month highlights that our work on behalf of the sacredness of all hu-man life necessarily includes the poor and needy; those who feel abandoned and forgotten; the immigrant who feels outcast; the inmate on death row who may legally be executed; the aged, infirm and physically disabled who believe that their worth is measured by perceived usefulness. May all of these people, and others in need, benefit from our commitment to uphold the sanctity of human life at every moment and at every stage. The theme for World Youth Day was “Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ: Firm in the Faith” (Colossians 2:7). I am convinced that through the amaz-ing graces of this spiritual pilgrim-age, our young people strengthened their relationship with the Lord and returned home with a renewed com-mitment to be His authentic witnesses. In this Respect Life Month, I suggest that our most important tasks are to deepen our personal relationship with the Lord and to find our guidance in His Word and our strength in His sacramental graces so that we might be “Firm in the Faith” and true witnesses for Jesus Christ and His Gospel of Life.

NC Catholics 2 October 2011 | www.DioceseofRaleigh.org | www.NCCatholics.org Liturgical Calendar: St. Thérése of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church

f r o m t h e b i s h o p

NC Catholics 2 October 2011 | www.DioceseofRaleigh.org | www.NCCatholics.org

We must rely on the Lord our God to lead, guide and enlighten us. He alone is the One who can accomplish for us what we are unable to do for ourselves.

Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge

PUBLISHER

Frank MorockDIREcTOR OF cOmmUnIcaTIOnS

October 2011 • Vol. 8 : Issue 8

Richard ReeceEDITOR In cHIEF

Anjanette WileyaDVERTISInG manaGER

Bishop Michael F. BurbidgeFather Carlos ArceFatherMarcos Leon

Father Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I.Anjanette Wiley

cOnTRIBUTInG WRITERS

Lettie BandaTRanSLaTOR

Denmark Photo & Video (cover)cOnTRIBUTInG PHOTOGRaPHERS

F A I T H C a t h o l i c

Rev. Dwight EzopcHaIRman

Patrick M. O’BrienPRESIDEnT anD cHIEF EXEcUTIVE OFFIcER

Elizabeth Martin SolsburgEDITORIaL DIREcTOR

Jillane Job

EDITORIaL aSSISTanT

Patrick DallyaRT DIREcTOR

Lynne RidenourGRaPHIc DESIGnER/WEB maSTER

Janna StellwagAbby Wieber

GRaPHIc DESIGnERS

Derek MelotPROOFREaDInG

Jennifer Baron Rachelle GarbarinecOnTRIBUTInG WRITERS

InnerWorkingsPRInT manaGEmEnT

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el hispano Católico

20 Esperando trillizos, Erin y

Jennifer fueron aconsejados a hacer una opción aterradora

nuestra cathedral

22 nuestra cathe-dral – Una Fe,

Un Pueblo

Obispo Burbidge

23 Juntos Per-manezcamos

“Firmes en la Fe” – Obispo Michael F. Burbidge

e l h i s p a n o C a t ó l i c o

insidethis issue

from the Bishop 2 Together, Let Us Remain

“Firm in the Faith” – Bishop Michael F. Burbidge

saint of the month12 The Ascent of the Soul

St. Teresa Avila

Roman missal13 The Revised

Roman Missal – The People’s Parts of the Mass

voices in our church15 Thank You,

Monsignor Hadden – Father Marcos Leon

15 “Hagan esto en Conmemoración mía” (Lc. 22, 19)

– Padre Carlos N. Arce

parish profile30 A legacy of charity and

justice – St. Mary Mother of the Church, Garner

8

10

16 We Never Stopped Trusting – Expecting triplets, Erin and

Jennifer were advised to make a horrifying choice. – By Rich Reece

St. Thérése of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church October 1 | St. Francis of Assisi October 4 | Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, virgin October 6 | Our Lady of the Rosary October 7 | St. Callistus I, pope and martyr October 14

t a b l e o f c o n t e n t s

l o c a l n e w s

NC Catholics 4 October 2011 | www.DioceseofRaleigh.org | www.NCCatholics.org St. Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church October 15 | St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr NC Catholics 4 October 2011 | www.DioceseofRaleigh.org | www.NCCatholics.org

Dianne Young Receives mary Dowling catechist award In a presentation on Cat-echetical Sunday, September 18, at Our Lady of Perpet-ual Help (OLPH) Church in Rocky Mount, OLPH Direc-tor of Religious Education Mrs. Dianne Young received the 2011 Mary Dowling Master Catechist of the Year Award. The Award honors the contributions made by the late Mary Dowling to the Diocese of Raleigh by promoting the formation of catechists. The Diocese designates as Master Catechists individuals who are prepared to train other adults. Master Catechists are experienced catechists with skills for adult faith formation and theological study beyond the basic level. Mrs. Young has been involved in faith formation for 45 years, 17 of those years as a Master Catechist and Director of Religious Education. For seven years she has served as Tar River Deanery Coordinator of faith formation. She volunteers as a middle school religion

teacher, and has been active in Prison Ministry. Friend and fellow cat-echist Shirley Hux called Mrs. Young a woman who “is called to her work by God, and faces all obstacles with the love of Christ in her heart. Dianne is a person who loves her Catholic faith.” That love was apparent in a recent interview for Catholic Weekly, the Diocesan radio program. Asked about receiv-ing the Dowling Award, she said, “I was overwhelmed, and very honored because I knew Mary Dowling and experienced her dedication.” Describing the “love and joy” she derives from her work in faith formation, she said, “When I’m teach-ing children, I see myself, because I was the first person in my family to be catechized” as a fifth grader at OLPH. Dianne’s teachers were Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Scranton, and their cateche-sis led Dianne to enter the

Catholic Church. At 18 she volunteered for a program called “Mary Missioners”, associated with the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart. “Twelve of us young wom-en were trained and certified as catechists,” she recalled. “Then we were commis-sioned by Bishop Waters to go out into the State to spread the faith. I went to Winston-Salem. We’d drive to parishes without catechists and prepare children for the sacraments, in pews, in kitchen pantries, anywhere we could find space. We also helped with the census for the Church: We’d knock on doors and ask if there were any Catholics in the household. Sometimes the door was slammed in our faces, but it was still a great opportunity to meet Catholics and non-Catholics.” Several of the Mary Mis-sioners were also discerning vocations to religious life. Dianne entered the IHM

Sisters in 1958, but left as a junior professed Sister. While she knew she was still searching, “I wondered what God was calling me to do. Now I think He was prepar-ing me. He knew I needed the spiritual strength I found there for later,” she said, referring to marriage. Dianne was three years into marriage and mother-hood when her husband became ill. Diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, he has spent the last 36 years of his life in and out of hospitals. He is currently in a group home. Dianne has stood by him, however. “It hasn’t been easy,” she said, “but I know he would have done the same for me.” Dianne has received “all six of my sacraments” at OLPH and stays in touch with many of those she has catechized. “I’m preparing the children of some of the children I prepared years ago,” she smiled. Several years ago she renewed her connection to the IHM Order by becoming an IHM Asso-ciate. She also embarked on Prison Ministry. Hesitant at first, she says she discovered “a whole new way of looking at men who are incarcerated. They are so full of the love of God! They pray and care for each other. I don’t see them as prisoners. I see them as Catholics who want to learn more about the faith. And I love passing on the faith.”Fr. Tim Meares , Pastor of OLPH, said, “Dianne’s ser-vice and tireless work ethic in our parish are commend-able. She is an outstanding representative of the Catholic Church in the greater Rocky Mount community and very deserving of this award.”

St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr October 17 | Feast of St. Luke, apostle October 18 | St. John de Brébeuf and St. Isaac Jogues, priests and martyrs, and their companions, martyrs October 19

Father Leon appointed aamEn Vicar

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge has announced the appointment of Father Marcos Leon-Angulo, V.F., as Diocesan Vicar for African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization (AAMEN). Father Leon succeeds Msgr. Thomas P. Hadden, who retired from the position on August 26, 2011. Father Leon serves as Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in White-ville and our Lady of the Snows Church in Eliza-bethtown and is Dean of the Cape Fear Deanery. A native of Peru, Father Leon was ordained a Priest in the Diocese of Raleigh May 31, 2003, by Bishop F. Joseph Gossman. He has served as Parochial Vicar at St. Mary Church in Wilm-ington, Infant of Prague Church in Jacksonville and St. Mark Church in Wilm-ington. Bishop Burbidge

appointed Father Leon Pas-tor of Sacred Heart Church in 2007. “I am extremely confident in Father Leon’s ability to serve as Vicar for African Ancestry Ministry and Evan-gelization,” Bishop Bur-bidge said in announcing the appointment. “Father Leon has prepared himself for this position through his recent studies and by working closely with his predecessor, Msgr. Had-den. All associated with African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization will ben-efit greatly by Father Leon’s pastoral concern, zeal and enthusiasm. I assure him of my fervent prayers and constant support, especially as he assumes this new and essential responsibility in the life of our Diocese.” “I am pleased to know the confidence and trust Bishop Burbidge has in appoint-ing me to succeed Msgr. Hadden,” Father Leon said. “I have been involved in African Ancestry Ministry since I was a seminarian

and my interest grew when I served as Parochial Vicar at St. Mary Church when Msgr. Hadden was Pastor.” Noting the courses he has taken at Xavier Uni-versity in New Orleans on Black Catholic Spirituality, Father Leon said he looks forward to continuing the dedicated work of Msgr

Hadden in developing a closer relationship among all people so, as in the prayer of Jesus, “That all be one Father as I and You are One.” Father Leon’s appoint-ment as Vicar for African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization was effective August 26, 2011.

Respect Life Sunday October 2

On October 2, Respect Life Sunday, the Most Rever-end Michael F. Burbidge offered Mass at St. Peter Parish in Greenville to mark the beginning of the U.S. Confer-ence of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) 2011-2012 Respect Life Program. This year’s theme, “I came so that all might have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10), was also the theme of the Respect Life Leaders Conference and the Youth Life Rally in the Diocese of Raleigh earlier this year. The USCCB has designated Respect Life Sunday since 1972 as a day set aside for Catholics to reflect with gratitude on God’s gift of human life. It is also an occasion to examine how well Catholics, as a nation and individually, are living up to the obligation to protect the rights of those who, due to age, dependency, poverty or other circumstances, are at risk of their very lives. Throughout the year, materials including posters, pam-phlets, liturgy guides and activity suggestions are avail-able from the USCCB (http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/respect-life-program/).

l o c a l n e w s

22 men in Formation for Diocesan Priesthood

wenty-two men are in formation for the Priesthood in the Diocese of Raleigh, including four new seminarians. Twenty are enrolled in St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia and two are attending Hispanic Seminary of Santa Maria of Guadalupe in Mexico City. The four new seminarians are parish-

ioners in the Diocese of Raleigh. Mr. Juan Carlos Garcia and Mr. Noe Ramirez de Pas attend St. Juan Diego Catholic Mission in Robbins, Mr. Evan George Waniewski attends St. Paul Catholic Church in New Bern, and Mr. W. Christian Cook attends St. Mary Catholic Church in Wilmington.

meet the new SeminariansW. christian cook

W. Christian Cook enters seminary as a first-year Pre-Theology student. A graduate of Western Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administra-tion and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Mr. Cook

also earned a Law Degree from the University of Dayton. Mr. Cook says he was inspired to the call to Priesthood by the works of Catholic authors, the lives of the saints, and the example of many holy priests in the Diocese of Raleigh, who provide daily encouragement. Mr. Cook also credits his parents for building a beautiful family and his grandfather who had a devotion to the Holy Rosary. Mr. Cook has carried his grandfather’s Rosary since his death.

W. Christian Cook Juan Carlos Garcia Noe Ramirez de Paz Evan George Waniewski

T

NC Catholics 6 October 2011 | www.DioceseofRaleigh.org | www.NCCatholics.org St. Paul of the Cross, priestNC Catholics 6 October 2011 | www.DioceseofRaleigh.org | www.NCCatholics.org

Favorite Scripture Passages: Psalm 4 and 1 Kings 19:11.

Favorite Saints: Saint Therese of Lisieux; Saint Maximil-ian Kolbe; Saint John Vianney; Saint John of the Cross.

Hobbies: Reading, sailing, saltwater fishing, snow skiing, water skiing, soccer and basketball.

Juan carlos Garcia

Juan Carlos Garcia is entering his first-year College at Santa Maria of Guadalupe Seminary. A 2011 graduate of North Moore High School in Robbins, NC, Mr. Garcia says his vocation to the Priesthood was inspired by Pope Benedict XVI and Father Bill John Acosta Escobar, his parish priest, whom he says works to ensure that the people understand their faith and live their lives according to God’s commandments.

Favorite Scripture Passage: Jeremiah 29:11.

Favorite Saint: Saint Benedict of Nursia.

Hobbies: Tennis, soccer, reading, video games.

noe Ramirez de Paz

A 2011 graduate of North Moore High School in Rob-bins, NC, and a classmate of Mr. Garcia’s, Mr. Noe Ramirez de Paz is enrolled as a first-year College student in Mexico City. Mr. Ramirez expresses his gratitude to Father Bill John Acosta Escobar and Father Paul Parkerson for the prayerful assistance they provided to him in his ongoing discernment process. He suggests that any man discerning a call to a vocation take time to pray and to talk to God.

Favorite Scripture Passage: Luke 22:42.

Favorite Saint: Saint John Vianney.

Hobbies: Tennis, soccer, reading, movies and walking.

Evan George Waniewski

Evan George Waniewski, a graduate of New Bern High School, enters the Diocesan Formation Program as a first-year College student. Influenced in great part by a parish priest close to his family during his childhood, Mr. Waniewski says from a young age, he remembers wanting to be just like Father Fred-erick Flaherty. He says taking part in the Diocesan Discernment Group was most helpful in his discernment to enter seminary, as was discussing his vocation with family, friends and a priest.

Favorite Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:20-26.

Favorite Saint: Saint Peter.

Hobbies: Reading, drawing, swimming.

The four new seminarians join the 18 already in formation:• Deacon Don Maloney - 4th Theology• Nick Cottrill - 3rd Theology• Tom Duggan - 3rd Theology• Ryan Elder - 3rd Theology• Michael Burbeck - 2nd Theology• Jonathon Baggett - 1st Theology• Steven Cartwright - 1st Theology• Philip Johnson - 1st Theology• Phil List - 1st Theology• Rob Schmid - 1st Theology• Ian Van Heusen - 1st Theology• Tim Ahn - 2nd Pre-Theology• Myles Casanova - 2nd Pre-Theology• James Magee - 2nd Pre-Theology• John Kane - 4th College• Michael Schuetz - 4th College• Edisson Urrego - 4th College• Marlon Mendieta - 2nd College

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge requests the faithful in the Diocese of Raleigh to pray for our seminar-ians by name.

St. Paul of the Cross, priest October 20 | St. Anthony Mary Claret, bishop October 24 | Feast of Ss. Simon and Jude, apostles October 28

Death of Sister Gerry megel, O.P.

Sister Geraldine Megel, O.P., a Dominican Sister of Adrian, Michigan, died Aug. 31, 2011, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Mich. She was in the 62nd year of her religious profession. Sister Gerry taught for many years, and then began a series of social justice minis-tries. After founding and di-

recting a shelter for families in crisis in Columbia, S.C., she worked as a chaplain at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Mich., before returning to the South to serve at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Greensboro, N.C. She later moved to Toronto, Canada, to help establish Romero House, a refugee center. In 1994 Sister Gerry became the Director of The Car-ing Place in Lebanon, Ky.,

a home for abused women and children. In 2002 she began service in the mis-sions. In South Africa, she worked with other Sisters at a job skills program where young persons were given opportunities to learn a trade. In her retirement, Sis-ter Gerry resided in Raleigh and worked with Catholic Parish Outreach and Shep-herd’s Table until returning to Michigan earlier this year.

“The many economic challenges today do not diminish our Gospel mandate, but rather strengthen and expand our commitment to attend to those most in need.”

rom the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge: The announcement I made on September 7, 2011 of a planned

new Cathedral for the Diocese of Raleigh continues to generate excitement and en-thusiasm among the faithful in our Diocese. In the weeks and months ahead, additional information will be forthcoming as work proceeds on all levels of the design and con-struction phase, including how the Cam-paign will benefit all parishes in our Diocese.

While response to the announcement has been over-whelmingly favorable, I am aware that the Cathedral Campus facilities announcement has raised several perti-nent questions and that there will be additional questions as we proceed. Each month, together with the Chairs of the various committees of the Cathedral Campus project, I will provide answers to those questions in the NC Catholics and

on the new Cathedral Campus website, www.holynameca-thedralnc.org. I begin this month by responding to three of the most frequently asked questions:

1 With unemployment so high and an uncertain economy, why is the Diocese undertaking this

project at this time? I fully understand the economic situ-ation facing our state and our country. I ask you to join me in praying fervently for those who are unemployed, underem-ployed and struggling. I pledge that the Diocese will continue its long-standing commitment to the Gospel mandate to serve those in need, as explained below. While there is never a perfect opportunity, the decision to proceed with the project at this time is based on considerable study and consultation throughout the Diocese with clergy, religious and laity and the recommendation of the Priest Council and Finance Council, as well as the “God’s Work, Our Challenge” capital campaign of 2002. At that time, United States was experiencing an economic crisis, especially in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The goal of that campaign was $30 million. Pledges totaled just under $60 million. The Diocese also looks to the example of successful par-ish and Diocesan efforts over the past three decades, all of which have faced and surmounted challenges of vari-

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o u r c a t h e d r a l

ous kinds. In the past 5 years, 15 major parish and school construction projects were completed with a total combined cost of over $63 million. Currently, there are 10 major par-ish and school projects in the design or construction phase with a total combined cost of over $46 million. Additionally, there are another 14 parish and school projects in the plan-ning stages with a total combined cost of over $51 million. All indicators point to success. This project will also provide a much needed boost to the local and state construction industry.

2 With so many people needing assistance, why not use this effort to help them?

The Diocesan outreach to the poor will not diminish, but will increase, as the Cathedral Campaign moves forward. Currently, this outreach, independent of local parish efforts, includes the following: The Diocese of Raleigh provides over $1.1 million each year from the Bishop’s Annual Appeal to support a total budget of $3.8 mil-lion for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh. This commitment enabled Catholic Charities to serve over 56,000 those most in need during 2010-11, through emergency assistance, counseling, and family support services. The Diocese of Raleigh also continues to commit funds for outreach through two spe-cial Endowments for the Poor. One of these endowments was begun with a portion of the proceeds of the sale of 75 acres of the Naza-reth land in 1988. Through these endow-ments, the Diocese distributes over $110,000 annually to those most in need throughout Eastern North Carolina. Additionally, since January 2010, the Dio-cese of Raleigh, through the generosity of its parishioners, has also contributed over $1 million for disaster relief efforts in North Carolina and across the world. That includes $577,435 for the Haiti Earthquake, $281,438 for the Earthquake/Tsumani in Japan, $195,429 for the Tornados in NC, and $3,523 for the Earthquake in Chile. With the many needs to be addressed as a result of the downturn in the economy, the Diocese designated a gift received by the Diocese in 2009 so that direct support could be provided to those most impacted. Nearly $200,000 was distributed for parishes to provide direct assistance with rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and transportation for the unemployed. Special parish collections also assist the Diocese of Ra-leigh annually in providing over $250,000 for Operation Rice Bowl, which provides funding for anti-hunger projects internationally and in North Carolina, and to Catholic Relief Services, the international relief organization of the U.S. Bish-ops and to the Catholic Campaign For Human Development,

the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. Bishops. Over $725,000 is also given annually to assist with local, national, and international needs, including the Black and Indian Mis-sions, the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, the Church in Latin America and Catholic Home Missions. To assist in the mission of the Church in small poor parishes, the Diocese of Raleigh Home Mission Society was established in 2007. Each year, the Diocese provides over $100,000 in grants for the construction of small mission churches, and approximately $250,000 for the operation of small, poor parishes in the Diocese of Raleigh. In total, the Diocese of Raleigh committed just under $4

million dollars this past year to help the poor and those most in need.

3 Isn’t $75-$90 million a lot to spend on a new cathedral

church? The estimated cost of $75-$90 million dollars is for the construction of the entire Cathedral Campus facilities. The project includes the Cathedral, the parking facilities for the entire campus, a building that will contain a gathering hall and meet-ing spaces for the faithful, and all of the associated design and construction costs for the project.

As the Church, an essential element of our mission is the preferential option for the poor and how we exercise this preference through our commitment to provide direct assistance to those most in need. In doing so, we wit-ness to the love Our Lord has called us to live, but we also realize that we must always return to its source through our prayer and worship as a community of faith. Our witness and compassionate care to

those most in need is always given life and grounded in the love of Christ when we receive Our Lord through the proc-lamation of the Gospel, the Holy Eucharist and the graces of the sacramental life of the Church. Thus, the resources committed for any church building project, not only strengthen the faithful in their relationship with Our Lord, but also give life and necessarily expand upon the mission of the Church, especially among those who are most in need. As the center for Diocesan life, our new Cathedral Campus will serve in the same way and in so doing, give glory and honor to God, not just through architectural aes-thetics, but through the beauty of the faithful who gather there for prayer and are confirmed in their commitment to carry out the mission of Christ. As we continue to work on this great endeavor of a new Cathedral Campus for our Diocese, I ask you to join me in entrusting all of our work to Our Lord’s divine assistance through the intercession of Mary, under the title the Immacu-late Conception, patroness of the Diocese of Raleigh.

as the center for Diocesan life, our new cathedral cam-pus will ... give glory and honor to God, not just through architec-tural aesthetics, but through the beauty of the faithful who gath-er there for prayer and are confirmed in their commitment to carry out the mission of Christ.

World Youth Day Pilgrims Return With memories

At 7 p.m. on Monday, August 22nd, a weary but elated group of youth and young adult pilgrims from the Diocese of Raleigh landed at RDU International Airport. Friends and family, some holding balloons, were waiting with hugs for the pilgrims, who had left on August 12 on a 10-day journey that took them to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France and then on to World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Spain. The Diocesan group included the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge and 64 young adults and chaperones. The returning pilgrims spoke of the incredible number of people at WYD – an estimated 1.3 million visitors – and the physical and spiritual high points of their journey. The pilgrims’ first destination in Europe was the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. “Lourdes was beautiful,” wrote Lauren Gustainis, 15, of St. Thomas More Parish in Chapel Hill. “We got to see the Stations of the Cross in life size and it was amazing. It is so important to remember all the time the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Mass in the grotto was in many languages but it was still very clearly Mass.” Fr. Tony DeCandia, Campus Minister at North Carolina State University, was one of three priests (Fr. Tim Meares and Fr. Phil Tighe) in addition to the Bishop who went on the pilgrimage. He recalled the spiritual feeling of Lourdes, the perilous-seeming bus ride on steep roads through the Pyrenees from France to Spain, and the special feeling of camaraderie in the group. “The youth got to spend time with Bishop Burbidge and see a per-sonal side of him,” he said, “and it was a great kind of bonding experience. They had a chance to ask questions about absolutely everything, and they had tons of questions.” In Madrid, the pilgrims gathered with the multitudes for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI. Emma Korynta, 15, of St. Thomas More, wrote, “We all cheered for the Pope as we saw him driv-ing down the road to where we were, shouting ‘VIVA EL PAPA! VIVA! VIVA!’ He spoke beautiful words in every language he knew to be attending, and I shared a radio with a friend to listen to the English translation. All I can say is, it was impossible to comprehend. We managed to have such a blessed day. It was a life changing experience to see our own Pope, to shout ¨Bene-dicto!¨ repeatedly, and just put myself in God’s grace.” Kathryn Diener was one of the chaperones for the group. “I am experiencing the Church in such a visible way that I have lost count of how many times I have teared up in simple awe and wonder at the beauty of our Catholic faith,” she wrote. “Our faith is living and so very much alive!” Bishop Burbidge also posted his reflections on the pilgrimage each day. “The spirit in Madrid is one of great joy and excite-ment,” he wrote. “Our youth from around the world reflect such a deep love for Our Lord Jesus, His Church and the Eucharist. Our Diocesan pilgrims continue to make this a real ‘spiritual journey.’ I am so proud of them.”


W o r l d Y o u t h D a y

A mystic, Carmelite nun, writer of the Counter-Reformation and theologian, St. Theresa of Avila (1515-1582) is probably best known for her spiritual clas-sic, El Castillo Interior (The Interi-or Castle). The work was intended as a guide for spiritual develop-ment and was inspired by her vision of the soul in the shape of a castle containing seven stages of the journey of faith, which ends in union with God.

Her Autobiography also contains a key to the mystical thought of St. Theresa. In it, she describes the four stages of the ascent of the soul:

1. mental Prayer – This stage is characterized by devout contemplation or concentration, especially on the passion of Christ and on penitence. St. Theresa had a profound sense of the terror of sin and the nature of original sin. She also became aware that she was impotent in being able to confront sin with-out subjecting herself absolutely to God.2. Prayer of Quiet – During this stage, the human will is lost in the will of God through the gift of God. The prevailing state at this stage is one of quietude. Even still, the other facul-ties, such as memory, reason and imagination, most likely will continue to fall prey to the distractions of the world and thereby interrupt this quietude.3. Devotion of Union – This is an essentially ecstatic state where one experiences the absorption of his or her reason in God. The person is left only with the memory and imagination to continue with their “noise-making.” It is a stage characterized by a blissful peace and the conscious rapture in the love of God.4. Devotion of Ecstasy or Rapture – Interestingly, the final stage of the ascent of the soul is a passive state in which the consciousness of being in the body disappears. Not only does sense activity cease, but memory and imagination are also intoxicated in God. St. Theresa describes that the body and spirit experience a sweet, happy pain that accompanies the negation of all the faculties in the union with God.

This kind of mysticism can be confusing and can seem distant to our everyday experience of the world. After all, St. Theresa is attempting to describe the indescribable. How-ever, the important thing to remember is that the ascent of the soul begins with one’s own intention. Without taking that first step, one is forever excluded from ever gaining a first-hand experience of the final three stages.

The Ascent of the SoulSt. Teresa avila

Ascensión del AlmaSanta Teresa de Ávila

Una mística, monja carmelita, escritora de la Contra-Reforma, y teóloga, Santa Teresa de Ávila (1515 a 1582 A.D.) es probablemente mejor conocida por su clásico espiritual, El Castillo Inte-rior. La obra tenía como objeto servir de guía para el desarrollo espiritual y fue inspirada por la visión del alma en forma de un castillo que contiene siete etapas del recorrido de la fe que termina en la unión con Dios.

Su Autobiografía también contiene una clave al pensamiento místico de Santa Teresa. En ésta, ella describe las cuatro etapas de la ascensión del alma:

1. Oración mental. Esta etapa se caracteriza por la contem-plación devota o concentración especialmente en la pasión de Cristo y en la penitencia. Santa Teresa tenía un sentido profundo del terror al pecado y de la naturaleza del pecado original. Ella también se dio cuenta que era impotente en la confrontación con el pecado sin sujetarse ella misma absoluta-mente a Dios.2. Oración de la quietud. Durante esta etapa, la voluntad humana se confunde en la voluntad de Dios mediante el don de Dios. El estado predominante en esta etapa es una de quietud. Todavía, las otras facultades, tales como la memoria, la razón y la imaginación, con mayor probabilidad continuarán siendo presa de las distracciones del mundo y así interrum-pirán esta quietud.3. Devoción de la unidad. Este es un estado esencialmente extático en el cual uno experimenta la absorción de su razón en Dios. A la persona le queda sólo la memoria y la imagi-nación para continuar con el «ruido que hacen». Es una etapa caracterizada por una paz dichosa y el éxtasis consciente en el amor de Dios.4. Devoción de Éxtasis o arrobamiento. Curiosamente, la etapa final de la ascensión del alma es un estado pasivo en el cual la consciencia de estar en el cuerpo desaparece. No sólo cesa la actividad sensorial, sino la memoria y la imagi-nación también están embriagadas en Dios. Santa Teresa de-scribe que el cuerpo y el espíritu experimentan un dulce, dolor feliz que acompaña la negación de todas las facultades en la unión con Dios.

Este tipo de misticismo puede causar confusión y puede parecer distante de nuestra experiencia diaria del mundo. Después de todo, Santa Teresa intenta describir lo indescrip-tible. Sin embargo, la cosa importante que debe recordarse es que la ascensión del alma comienza con la intención propia de uno. Sin tomar este primer paso, uno queda para siempre excluido de alcanzar alguna vez una experiencia de primera mano de las tres etapas finales.


s a i n t o f t h e m o n t h

The Revised Roman missalThe People’s Parts of the Mass

The Revised Roman missalThe People’s Parts of the Mass

T he First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011 is the date for the implementation of the Revised Roman Missal in the

United States. The Most reverend Michael F. Burbidge will celebrate Mass at Sacred Heart Catheral on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. to usher in the imple-mentation of the Third Edition of the Ro-man Missal in the Diocese of Raleigh.

Following are the people’s prayers and responses according to the New Missal.

GREETInGPriest: The Lord be with you.People: And with your spirit.

PEnITEnTIaL acTA - I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and

sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, And, striking their breast, they say:

R o m a n M i s s a l

through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Lord/Christ, have mercy. (3x)

-or-

B - Priest: Have mercy on us, O Lord. People: For we have sinned against you. Priest: Show us, O Lord, your mercy. People: And grant us your salvation. Lord/Christ, have mercy. (3x)

-or-

C - Lord Jesus… Lord/Christ, have mercy. (Kyrie/Christe, eleison.)

GLORIaGlory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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aT THE GOSPELPriest: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit.Deacon (or Priest): A reading from the holy Gospel accord-ing to N. People: Glory to you, O Lord.

nIcEnE cREEDI believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,

At the words that follow up to and including and became man, all bow.

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the proph-ets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

SUScIPIaT DOmInUSThe people rise and reply: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

PREFacE DIaLOGUEPriest: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit. Priest: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord. Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right and just.

SancTUS

mYSTERY OF FaITH

SIGn OF PEacEPriest: The peace of the Lord be with you always. People: And with your spirit.

EccE aGnUS DEIPriest: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

cOncLUDInG RITESPriest: The Lord be with you.People: And with your spirit.

– Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010,

International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Published with the approval of the Committee on Divine Worship, United

States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Produced by the Diocese of Raleigh,

Office of Divine Worship

R o m a n M i s s a l

Tear out this page to follow during M

ass

“Hagan esto en conmemoración mía” (Lc. 22, 19)

Thank You, monsignor Hadden

p a s t o r ’ s p e r s p e c t i v e l a n a t u r a l e z a d e n u e s t r a f e

V o i c e s i n o u r c h u r c h

Recientemente iniciamos los programas catequéticos de este año. La Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Esta-dos Unidos (USCCB) nos ofrece el tema: “Hagan esto en conmemoración Mía” para guiar nuestro servicio en la catequesis de este 2011. Esta invitación la hizo Jesús a sus discípulos durante su última cena cuando instituyó la Santa Eucaristía y nos la dejó como memorial suyo (Lc. 22,19). Todos nosotros estamos llamados a vivir esta invitación debido a los diferentes medios y formas en que compartimos la Buena Nueva del Señor con el mundo de hoy. Una vez más tenemos esta extraordinaria oportunidad de conectar de manera más profunda la catequesis con el Misterio Wucarístico que Jesús nos regaló.

En realidad, toda nuestra vida debe estar guiada bajo este tema porque como dice San Pablo “ustedes forman el cuerpo de Cristo y cada uno es un miembro de ese cuerpo” (1 Cor 12, 27). Si todo en nuestra vida diaria lo hiciésemos en conmemoración del Señor, ¡qué mundo tan diferente tendríamos! No habría espacio a la

injusticia; no haríamos acepción de personas; no estaríamos extinguiendo ninguna especie, nos respetaríamos unos a otros y celebraríamos con alegría la diversidad; valoraríamos más y defenderíamos la vida de todos los seres en todas sus formas; viviríamos en armonía con todo lo creado; nuestras celebraciones de fe se vivirían verdaderamente como signos claros de la presencia del Reino entre nosotros; existiría un solo mundo en igualdad de condiciones para todos y todas; en pocas palabras, haríamos realidad lo que al Señor le pedi-mos en el Padrenuestro “venga tu Reino” (Mt. 6,10)

Hermanos y hermanas: como miembros de una sola familia humana, más allá de cualquier diferencia de género, idioma, religión, política, ideología, cultura, etc. estamos llamados a construir la unidad bajo el concepto de ser miem-bros de un mismo cuerpo. Estamos a tiempo de corregir los errores que hemos cometido a lo largo de la historia. Aún podemos revertir la destrucción del planeta que acelerada-mente lo estamos matando. Pongamos en práctica la invitación del Señor en este nuevo año catequético: “Hagan esto en conmemoración mía”.

– Padre Carlos N. Arce, Vicario para los Hispanos

For more than 30 years Monsignor Thomas Paul Hadden led the Diocesan office of African Ancestry Ministry and Evan-gelization established by the Diocese of Raleigh to foster the mission of the Roman Catholic Church, spread the Gospel, celebrate the Sacraments, and form a faith community. As I succeed Msgr. Hadden as Vicar of this ministry, I express my heartfelt thanks for his leadership and example, and my grati-tude to God and to Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.

I recognize the chal-lenge of serving in this office. I prepared myself to minister to the African Ancestry people by at-tending summer school for several years at the In-stitute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier Univer-sity of Louisiana, where I learned more about black theology and spirituality and completed a Master’s degree in July of 2011.

In order to continue this ministry, we must continue creating an atmosphere in which individuals of African descent can maintain their identity, heighten their visibility, and enhance their lives as Catholics. The AAMEN Diocesan Office is concerned with nurturing those in the faith, reconciling those fallen away from the faith, and offering a church home to the unchurched through conversion to the Catholic faith. Today the African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization Network is in almost every single parish of the Diocese of Ra-leigh. The presence of the African descent community makes possible vibrant and multicultural parish activities while on the diocesan level the AAMEN office is more involved with decision of the ministries. We now have an annual retreat to promote black Catholic spirituality and an annual Mass with Bishop Burbidge where all those of African descent gather together in prayer. Today three African communities of French, Swahili and Ibo speaking countries have their chap-lains. Today more than 2,500 people of African descent are registered in different parishes in our diocese. There are more non-registered people and the intention is to reach as many as possible. We are ONE, and while we breathe, we hope. My hope is that AAMEN will continue the ministry of Msgr. Hadden, and with the grace of the One who makes all things possible, we will put our service into action as we serve our Church.

– Father Marcos Leon

t’s 10 a.m. in the Holly Springs home of Erin and Jen-nifer Conley, and it’s breakfast time for their triplets, Jillian, Rebecca and Sarah. The three nine-month-old girls sit in identical chairs as their mom spoons veg-

etables to each in turn. Erin and Jennifer’s 3-year-old son, Adam, sits in the living room with their Labrador Retriever, Addison, surrounded by baby toys.

As the girls have grown, their indi-vidual looks and personalities have started to emerge. Rebecca, who was the smallest of the three at birth, is now the biggest,

while first-born Jillian, who was the big-gest, is now smaller than the other two. Sarah is focused on breakfast, while the other two seem happily curious about

the visitors who have come to hear their parents’ story. What is more heartwarming than the sight of a happy baby? And here there are three! It’s impossible to imagine that any-one could ever have wished them harm. Yet, not long ago a doctor who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth had sug-gested that one of the girls be “sacrificed.” At twelve weeks, when it became clear that Jennifer was expecting triplets, her obstetrician referred her to a specialist. The ultrasound showed that the babies, now known as A, B and C, were all doing well. So the parents were shocked when the doctor began to paint a frightening picture. She recited statistics about the special dangers of pregnancy and fetal develop-ment with triplets, the potential birth de-fects and complications that could attend multiple births. “The glass was always half-empty,” Erin recalled, “never half full.” “Is there anything wrong with the children?” the parents wanted to know. “Not at this point,” the doctor said. “But triplets are dangerous. And you know, if they all survive to term, it takes parents more than 24 hours a day to care properly for three infants.” After listing all the things that could go wrong, the doctor proposed a solution: “Selective reduction.” By aborting one of the children, she said, there would be more room in the womb for the other two, improving the chances for a “healthy” pregnancy and delivery. “It didn’t really sink in on me until later,” Erin said, “what she was really sug-gesting. We had three babies who were doing fine. The doctor recognized that they were living children, our children; they had letter ‘names’ to distinguish them. And she was advising us to kill one of them!” “I couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” Jennifer said. “I let her finish, and then I said there was no way I could permit something like that. It was against my faith.” Not just against her Catholic faith, Jennifer realized, but against her and Erin’s faith in God. “We didn’t do in vitro,” Erin explains, referring to a procedure where several eggs are fertilized outside the womb and surgically implanted. The Church op-

“Life Will Triumph”

“Life will triumph: this is a sure hope for us. Yes, life will triumph because truth, goodness, joy and true progress are on the side of life. God, who loves life and gives it generously, is on the side of life” (Congregation of the

Doctrine of the Faith, Dignitatis Personae, September 8, 2008, #3; Quoting John Paul II’s Address to the

Participants in the Seventh Assembly of the Pontifical Academy of Life, March 3, 2001, #3)

I


poses this procedure because it “dissoci-ates the sexual act from the procreative act. The act which brings the child into existence is no longer an act by which two persons give themselves to one another, but one that entrusts the life and identity of the embryo into the power of doctors and biologists...” (Catechism of the Catholic Church

2377) “We expected one child. That we had three, they were God’s gift to us. All of them.” The doctor hadn’t given up, though. “If it developed,” she said, “that one of the babies was threatening the health of the others, would you consider ‘reduction’ at that point?” Jennifer reiterated her opposition to anything that would harm any of the triplets. “We came out of the office trau-matized,” she says. “I don’t think Erin had completely digested what she was saying. Later he called me from work and he was crying.” “That was my first reaction,” Erin said. “And then I felt incredibly angry.” The parents returned to the referring physician. “I said that if they couldn’t find a doctor who understood how much these children meant to us, I’d find one myself. My babies were healthy!” Erin said. “Fortunately they referred us to a second specialist who remained totally positive throughout the pregnancy.” As Jennifer carried the triplets in the ensuing weeks, “God was with us every step of the way,” she said. “My friends at work said, ‘If there’s anyone we know with a strong faith in God, it’s you two, and we know you’re going to make it.’” Hadn’t the warnings from the first doctor made Erin and Jennifer fearful? “Those things were still in the backs of our minds, of course,” Erin said, “but we never stopped trusting that God would be with us.” “I’d think of those things,” Jennifer said, “but it would be just passing thoughts. Our faith in God is so strong. We believe in Him and depend on Him in good times and bad, and we thank Him for both, because everything we have is because of God.” Jennifer also began attending support meetings with Triangle Moms of Twins and Triplets. “It was great going there and seeing what was possible,” Erin said. “I

thought if they can do it, why not me?” When a mother is pregnant with multiples, especially with three or more babies, “making it” comes with slightly limited expectations. The babies will probably be born early, and often require some hospitalization after birth. When Jennifer talked to a nurse about scheduling a C-section, the nurse sug-gested a “pretend date” at 32 weeks of gestation. “No one makes that,” she said, “but it’s a goal. If it’s sooner, we can handle it.” Jennifer made it easily to 32 weeks, then 33 and 34. At 36 weeks, she walked into the hospital. Hours later, her daughters came into the world. Jillian was first, at 6 pounds, 3 ounces; then Rebecca, at five pounds; and finally Sarah, a few ounces short of six pounds. At home, their family suddenly doubled in size, Erin and Jennifer grate-fully welcomed the help of her parents, who came to North Carolina from their home in upstate New York and spent three months helping. They also hired an au pair, Vanessa Fernandez from Sao Paolo, Brazil. Her journey to the Conleys was an answer to Vanessa’s prayers. After signing with an agency that finds employ-ment in the U.S. for au pairs, Vanessa, a devout Catholic, found more than one

couple eager to hire her. “We chose her because she was Catholic,” Jennifer said. While Jennifer was carrying her chil-dren, Vanessa was praying for guidance in choosing a family to work for. “When I saw that they would have triplets,” Vanessa said with a smile, “I wasn’t so sure I could handle that.” But when she learned the scheduled date for Jennifer’s C-section in November, 2010, it had a special significance for her. Her father had passed away four years before. She still missed him and prayed for him, and Jennifer’s delivery date turned out to be his birthday. Erin, Jennifer, Vanessa and all their children make it to Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Cary each Sunday, but they find each day, with its ups and downs, an occasion for thanks, and an affirmation of the trust they continue to place in the Lord. “It’s kind of strange sometimes, isn’t it,” Jennifer said, “the way God speaks to us? We just have to open our ears, our hearts and our souls and listen.”

God Has Wished Us for Himself

From the moment of conception, the life of every human being is to be respected in an absolute way because man is the only creature on earth that God has “wished for Himself” and the spiritual soul of each man is “im-mediately created by God;” his whole being bears the image of the Creator. (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Donum Vitae, February 22, 1987, Introduction; #5)

By Rich Reece | Photography by Denmark Photo and Video

“nunca dejamos de confiar”Esperando trillizos, Erin y Jennifer fueron aconsejados a hacer una opción aterradora

viduales comienzan a surgir. Rebecca, la más pequeña de las tres al nacer, es ahora la más grande, mientras que Jillian quien nació primero y era la más grande, ahora es la más pequeña de las tres. Sarah se enfoca en el desayuno, mientras que las otras dos demuestran estar curiosas por la visita que vino a escuchar la historia de sus padres. ¿Qué es más reconfortante que ver a un bebé feliz? ¡Y aquí hay tres! Es impo-sible imaginar que alguien desearía hacerles daño. Sin embargo, no hace mucho tiempo una doctora, que se especializa en maternidad y partos, sugirió “sacrificar” a una de las niñas. Erin y Jennifer quedaron en-

cantados cuando recibieron la noticia del embarazo de Jennifer en el 2010. El nacimiento de Adam fue también una bendición especial. Jennifer tenía dificultades para ovular normalmente, y su hijo había sido concebido después de que su madre recibió un tratamiento con un medicamento para estimular la ovulación. Ella recibió el mismo tratamiento cuando decidieron aumentar la familia. Al cumplir las doce semanas, cuando quedó claro que Jennifer esperaba trillizas, su ginecóloga la recomendó con un especial-ista. El ultrasonido demostró que los bebés, ahora conocidos como A, B y C, estaban todos bien. Los padres quedaron asom-brados cuando la doctora comenzó a pintarles un panorama aterrador. Ella explicó las estadísticas sobres los peligros del embarazo y el desarrollo del feto de las trillizas, los defectos potenciales del

nacimiento y las complicacio-nes que pueden presentarse durante un parto múltiple. “El vaso estaba siempre medio vacío,” Erin recordó, nunca más de la mitad. “¿Existe algo mal con los bebés?” los padres querían saber. “No en este momento”, dijo la doctora. ‘Pero un embarazo de trillizos es peligroso. Y

on las 10 de la mañana y en la casa de Erin y Jennifer Conley en Holly Springs, es la hora del desayuno para sus trillizas, Jil-

lian, Rebecca y Sarah. Las niñas de nueve meses se sientan en sillas idénticas mien-tras su mamá las alimenta con vegetales a cada una. Adam, de 3 años, hijo de Erin y Jennifer, se encuentra en la sala, con su Labrador, Addison, rodeado de juguetes.

Mientras crecen las niñas, sus miradas y personalidades indi-

Dios ha querido al hombre para sí mismo

Desde el momento de la concepción, la vida de cada ser humano debe respetarse de manera absoluta porque el hombre es la única criatura en la tierra que Dios ha “querido para sí mismo” y el alma espiritual de cada hombre es “inmediatamente creado” por Dios; todo su ser lleva la imagen del creador. (Congregación para la Doctrina de la

Fe, Donum Vitae, 22 de febrero de 1987, introducción; # 5)

e l h i s p a n o C a t ó l i c o


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sabes que si sobreviven a término completo, exigen de los padres 24 horas al día de atención para cuidarlos adec-uadamente”. Después de enumerar todas las cosas que podrían salir mal, la doctora les propuso una solución: “Reducción selectiva”. Abortar a uno de los bebés, dijo ella, habría más espacio en el útero para los otros dos, mejora las posibilidades de un embarazo y parto “sano”. “Realmente no me dí cuenta de lo que me proponía hasta más tarde”, dijo Erin. Teníamos tres bebés que estaban muy bien. La doctora reconoció que eran bebés vivos, nuestras hijas; tenían ‘nombres’ de letras para distinguirlas. ¡Y ella nos estaba aconse-jando asesinar a una de ellas!” “No podía creer lo que estaba escuchando”, dijo Jennifer. “La dejé terminar, y luego le dije que no podía aceptar lo que me proponía. Iba en contra de mi fe”. No sólo contra su fe católica, pensó Jennifer, sino contra la fe de Dios, de ella y de Erin. “No lo hicimos en vitro”, explica Erin, refiriéndose a un procedimiento donde varios óvulos fecundan fuera del útero y se implantan quirúrgicamente. “Esperábamos a un bebé. Tener tres era un regalo de Dios para nosotros. Todas ellas”. La doctora no se daba por vencida. “Si se desarrolla”, dijo ella, “una de las bebés amenaza la salud de las otras dos, ¿consider -arían la ‘reducción’ en ese momento?” Jennifer reiteró su oposición a todo lo que pudiera perjudicar a cualquiera de las trillizas. “Salimos de la Oficina traumados”, dice ella. “Creo que Erin no digirió completamente lo que nos propuso la doctora. Más tarde me llamó desde el trabajo y estaba llorando”. “Esa fue mi primera reacción”, dijo Erin. “Después me sentí increíblemente furioso.” Los padres regresaron al consultorio de la doctora. “Le pre-gunté si había otro especialista que entendiera lo mucho que significaban estos bebés para nosotros, sino para que yo mismo buscara uno. ¡Mis bebés estaban sanos!” dijo Erin. “Afortun-adamente nos refirieron con otra especialista que permaneció totalmente positiva a lo largo del embarazo. Jennifer llevaba a sus trillizas en las semanas de gestación, “Dios estaba con nosotros en cada paso del camino”, dijo ella. “Mis amigos en el trabajo decían, ‘Si hay alguien que conocemos con una fe grande en Dios, son ustedes dos, y sabemos que lo van a lograr”’. ¿Habrían creado temor las advertencias de la primera doctora en Erin y Jennifer? “Por supuesto, esas cosas todavía están en nuestra mente”, dijo Erin, “pero nunca dejé de confiar que Dios estaría con nosotros.” “He pensado en esas cosas”, dijo Jennifer, “pero eran solo pensamientos pasajeros. Nuestra fe en Dios es muy fuerte. Creemos en Él, dependemos de Él en tiempos buenos y malos y le agradecemos a Él por ambos, porque todo lo que poseemos es

gracias a Dios. Jennifer también comenzó a asistir a las reuniones de apoyo en Triangles Moms of Twins and Triplets (mamás con mellizos y trillizos). “Me hizo bien ir allí y ver las posibilidades”, “Pensé, si ellas lo pueden lograr, ¿por qué yo no?” Cuando una madre está embarazada de múltiples, espe-cialmente de tres o más bebés, “saliendo adelante” vienen con expectativas limitadas. Los bebés probablemente nacen antes de tiempo y a menudo requieren hospitalizarse después de su nacimiento. Cuando Jennifer habló con la enfermera para pro-gramar una cesárea, la enfermera sugirió una “fecha de preten-sión” a las 32 semanas de gestación. “Nadie lo logra”, dijo ella, “pero es una meta. Si se adelanta el parto estaremos preparados”. Jennifer fácilmente llegó a las 32 semanas, después a las 33 y 34. A las 36 semanas, ingresó al hospital. Horas más tarde, dio a luz a sus tres niñas. Jillian fue la primera, con 6 libras y 3 onzas; después nació Rebecca, con 5 libras; y finalmente Sarah, con menos de seis libras. En su casa, su familia repentinamente se duplicó en tamaño, Erin y Jennifer agradecen la ayuda de sus padres que llegaron de Nueva York a Carolina del Norte y se quedaron tres meses para ayudar. También contrataron a una “au pair”, Vanessa Fernández de Sao Paolo, Brasil. Para Vanessa llegar con la familia “Conleys” fue una respuesta a sus oraciones. Después de firmar contrato con una agencia para buscar empleo en los Estados Unidos para “au pairs”, una devota católica, encontró a más de una pareja ansiosa para contratarla. “La elegimos porque era Católica”, dijo Jennifer. Mientras que Jennifer esperaba la llegada de sus bebés, Van-essa le pedía a Dios que la iluminara para escoger una familia. “Cuando me enteré que esperaban trillizos”, dijo Vanessa con una sonrisa, “No estaba muy segura de poder manejar a tres bebés”. Pero cuando se le dio a conocer la fecha programada para la Cesárea de Jennifer en noviembre de 2010, significó para ella algo especial. Su padre había fallecido hace cuatro años. Aun lo extrañaba y oraba por él. Después resulto ser que, el día que Jennifer dio a luz fue en el cumpleaños de su papá. Erin, Jennifer, Vanessa y todos sus hijos asisten a Misa a la Parroquia de St. Michael the Archangel en Cary cada domingo, con altas y bajas, tiempo para agradecer y una afirmación de confianza que ponen en el Señor. “A veces es algo extraño, ¿verdad que sí?”, dijo Jennifer, “en la manera que Dios nos habla. Solo tenemos que abrir nuestros oídos, nuestros corazones, nuestra alma y escuchar”.

Por Rich Reece | Fotografías por Denmark Photo & Video

“La Vida Triunfará”

“La vida triunfará: es una esperanza segura para nosotros. Sí, la vida triunfará por el progreso de la verdad, la bondad, la alegría y la verdad que están del lado de la vida. Dios, que ama la vida y da generosamente, está del lado de la vida” (Congregación

para la Doctrina de la Fe, Dignitatis Personae, 08 de septiembre de 2008, # 3; Citando a la presentación de Juan

Pablo II a los participantes en la VII Asamblea de la Academia Pontificia de la vida, 03 de marzo de 2001, # 3)

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“Entiendo claramente que es un proyecto histórico y monumental que implicará sacrificio y trabajo duro”.

l anuncio que hice el 7 de septiembre de 2011 sobre el plan de la nueva Catedral para la Diócesis de Raleigh continúa generando mucho entusiasmo y emociones entre los fieles de la

Diócesis, y es comprensible, que también planteen varias preguntas pertinentes. En las próximas semanas y meses, yo, junto con los presidentes de los distintos comités del proyecto del Campus de la Catedral, responderemos a preguntas que seguramente van a surgir mientras avan-zamos con el proyecto del Campus de la Catedral. Re-sponderemos las preguntas en la revista NC Catholics y en la página web del Campus de la nueva Catedral, www.holynamecathedralnc.org. En este momento, deseo abor-dar tres de las preguntas más frecuentes.

con el desempleo tan alto y una economía incierta, ¿por qué la Diócesis emprende el proyecto en este momento?

Entiendo perfectamente la situación económica que enfrenta nuestro estado y nuestro país. Les pido que se unan a mí en ferviente oración por aquellos que están sin empleo, subempleados, y luchando. Les prometo que la Dióce-sis continuará su compromiso con el mandato del Evangelio de servir a los necesitados, como explico a continu-ación.

La decisión de proceder con el proyecto en este momento se basa en estudios y consultas a lo largo de la Diócesis con el clero, religiosos(as) y laicos y la recomendación del Consejo Sacerdotal y el Consejo de Finanzas. La Diócesis también ve el ejemplo del éxito de los esfuerzos parroquia-les y Diocesano en las últimas tres décadas, los cuales han enfrentado y superado los retos de diversa índole. En los últimos 5 años, el proyecto de 15 parroquias grandes y la construc-ción de escuelas se finalizaron con un costo total de 63 millones de dólares.

En la actualidad, hay 10 parroquias y escuelas bajo diseño o construcción con un total de más de 46 millones de dólares. Además, existe el proyecto de otras 14 parroquias y escuelas en la etapa de planificación con un total de más de 51 millones de dólares. Todos apuntan hacia el éxito. Este proyecto también proporcionará un impulso muy necesario a la industria de la con-strucción local y estatal.

con tantas personas que necesi-tan ayuda, ¿por qué no utilizar este esfuerzo para ayudarlas?

La ayuda Diocesana a los pobres no disminuirá; al contrario, aumentará a medida que vaya avanzando la Campa-ña de la Catedral. En la actualidad, esta ayuda, independiente de los esfuerzos locales, incluye lo siguiente: La Diócesis de Raleigh provee más de 1.1 millones de dólares cada año a través de la Campaña Anual del Obispo para ayudar a Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Raleigh con el presupuesto total de 3.8 millones. Este compromiso le permitió a Cari-dades Católicas servir a más de 56,000 personas en necesidad en el 2010 y 2011, a través de los servicios de ayuda en emergencias, servicios de consejería y servicios a la familia. La Diócesis de Raleigh también con-tinúa con la ayuda de fondos a través de dos donaciones especiales para los Pobres. Una de estas donaciones comenzó a través de una porción de la venta de los 75 acres de la propiedad de Nazareth en 1988. A través de estas donaciones, la Diócesis distribuye con más de $110,000 dólares anuales a aquellos más necesitados a lo largo del este de Carolina del Norte. Además, desde Enero de 2010, la Diócesis de Raleigh, a través de la gen-erosidad de sus feligreses, ha contri-buido con más de 1 millón de dólares para brindar ayuda en desastres en Carolina del Norte y en todo el mundo. Con las muchas necesidades que abordar como consecuencia de la rece-sión económica, un regalo que recibió

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Juntos Permanezcamos “Firmes en la Fe”

n la revista de NC Catholics de este mes se destaca lo más reciente de la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud en Madrid, España,

y el Mes de Respeto a la Vida celebrado en nuestro país a lo largo del mes de octubre. Permítanme compartir con ustedes lo que creo que son algunas poderosas conexiones entre estos dos eventos.

Fue un privilegio unirme a los aproximadamente 65 jóvenes de nuestra Diócesis en la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud y reunirnos con Nuestro Santo Padre y aproximadamente dos millones de jóvenes de cada continente a lo largo del mundo. No era meramente una visita turística. No era solamente una reunión. Realmente fue una peregrinación. Nos unimos en nuestro amor por el Señor Jesucristo, por Su Iglesia y por el sucesor de San Pedro, el Papa Benedicto XVI. La peregrinación nos recuerda que viajamos juntos como hermanos y hermanas y que debemos apoyarnos y alentarnos unos a otros en el trabajo que nos une, que se llama la proclamación de Jesucristo y Su Evangelio. La peregrinación también nos recuerda que siempre veamos al Señor nuestro Dios para que nos conduzca, nos guíe e ilumine. Si no lo hacemos, es seguro que perderemos nuestro camino. El Mes de Respeto a la Vida resalta el mandato de enseñar, celebrar y proclamar la Vida del Evangelio. Al hacerlo, sabemos que estamos en una peregrinación constante, porque nuestro trabajo a favor de la santidad de la vida humana no es solamente un mes o un período de tiempo específico. Es un viaje constante en el que caminamos juntos como hermanos y hermanas. Debido a la realidad que vivimos en la sociedad, que a menudo descarta y rechaza nuestras convicciones y creencias con respecto a la santidad de la vida desde la concepción hasta la muerte natural, es esencial que constantemente nos apoyemos y animemos unos a otros. Si nos atrevemos a confiar en nuestras propias iniciativas, esfuerzos e ideas, no podremos cumplir con nuestras responsabilidades. Debemos confiar en el Señor nuestro Dios para que nos conduzca, guíe e ilumine. Él es el Único que puede lograr lo que nosotros no somos capaces de realizar por nosotros mismos. Con la sublime gracia de Dios y los incansables esfuerzos de tantas personas en nuestra Diócesis y de otras personas a lo largo de nuestras comunidades, recientemente hemos

notado logros positivos sobre las cuestiones de la vida en nuestro Estado. Nos regocijamos en la aprobación de El Acta del Derecho de la Mujer a conocer, que es pro-mujer y pro-vida. También hemos visto la aprobación de la Ley de Nathan, que reconoce a un niño no nacido en el vientre como una víctima de casos de asalto y homicidio involucrando a mujeres embarazadas. Estamos muy contentos de que tendremos las placas para vehículos (Elija la Vida) Choose Life. Estas victorias en favor de la vida humana, creo, son la manera en que Dios nos enseña que las semillas que sembramos, el trabajo que realizamos, el tiempo que brindamos y los esfuerzos que realizamos en Su Santo Nombre nunca son en vano. Dios promete que la Verdad prevalecerá y la oscuridad nunca vencerá la Luz. ¡En esa esperanza cierta y segura, también reconocemos que todavía hay mucho más que realizar! La triste y trágica realidad al dar la bienvenida a un niño al mundo es que todavía se reduce legalmente a una elección que genera millones de abortos en nuestro país. El Mes de Respeto a la Vida nos debe dinamizar para que cada vez oremos más fervientemente por el no-nacido, por sus padres y madres y por todos aquellos afectados por las horribles consecuencias de los abortos. Este mes debemos renovar nuestro compromiso a ser la voz del no-nacido, especialmente en nuestra comunicación constante con nuestros funcionarios electos. Nuestra respuesta a la súplica del no-nacido debe también y necesariamente incluir las oraciones y la ayuda para todos aquellos que temen que la santidad de sus vidas no es protegida. El Mes de Respeto a la Vida nos recuerda que nuestra labor a favor de la santidad de toda vida humana incluye a los pobres y necesitados; a aquellos que se sienten abandonados y olvidados; al inmigrante que se siente marginado; al preso en el pabellón de la muerte que legalmente pueden ser condenado a muerte; a los ancianos, enfermos y físicamente deshabilitados que creen que su valor se reduce a su utilidad. Que todas estas personas y otras necesitadas se beneficien de nuestro compromiso para defender la santidad de la vida en cada momento y en cada etapa. El tema para la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud fue “Arraigados y edificados en Cristo; firmes en la Fe” (Colosenses 2:7). Estoy convencido que a través de las gracias sublimes de esta peregrinación espiritual, nuestros jóvenes fortalecieron su relación con el Señor y regresaron a casa con un compromiso renovado para ser testigos auténticos de Él. En este Mes de Respeto a la Vida, sugiero que nuestra tarea más importante sea la de profundizar nuestra relación personal con el Señor y encontrar orientación en Su Palabra y fortaleza en Su gracia sacramental, para ser “firmes en la fe” y verdaderos testigos de Jesucristo y Su Evangelio de Vida.

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Scranton IHm Sisters mark 85 Years in Diocese

This year the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Scranton, PA, will celebrate 85 years of service in the Diocese of Raleigh. The first members of their order to come to North Caro-lina – at the invitation of Bishop William Hafey, who later became Bishop of Scranton – started St. Joseph School for African American children in New Bern. Over the years the Sisters would found and staff schools in Washington, Raleigh, Goldsboro, Rocky Mount and Lumberton, and conduct faith formation for public school children during summers in various parts of the Diocese. In the ‘80s, when Bishop F. Joseph Gossman asked consecrated Women Religious to serve as Pastoral Admin-istrators, IHM-Scranton Sisters filled that role in Williamston, Raeford, Louisburg, Farmville and Butner. Today six mem-bers of the Congregation are active in the Diocese. The IHM charism is “to be prophetic witnesses to the presence of God in the world.” “Our Sisters have been out there in the rural areas of the Diocese,” said Sister Kieran Williams, Pastoral administrator of Holy Trinity Parish in Williamston. “And their presence has really made a difference for people needing to participate in church life and practice their faith. Without that presence, many try to meet these needs with other churches.” Bishop Burbidge congratulated the Congregation on its

anniversary of service. “With all in the Diocese of Raleigh,” he said, “I express thanks to God for the generous and dedicated service of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Scranton in our Diocese for the past 85 years. The Sisters have been and continue to be a special gift and a source of inspiration for those they have been sent to serve. It is my hope and prayer that Our Lord Jesus will continue to abundantly bless the Sisters, their endeavors and their entire Congregation.” The IHM Congregation was founded in Michigan in 1845 by Father Louis Florent Gillet and Sister of Providence Theresa Maxis Duchemin. In 1858, as the Order grew, Mother Theresa accepted Bishop (now Saint) John Neu-mann’s invitation to serve in the Diocese of Philadelphia, and in 1871, a new foundation was established in the newly formed Diocese of Scranton. Today, there remain the three distinct branches of IHM Sisters, all of them represented in the Diocese of Raleigh. The Scranton Congregation remains healthy, vibrant and creative in exploring new “life giving options,” said Sr. Carol Loughney, IHM, Pastoral Administrator of St. Bernadette Par-ish in Butner. These include cooperation and association with two other Orders, the Sisters of St. Casimir and the Sisters of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, as well as a Lay Association. IHM Associates are women and men from all states of life and various creeds who are seeking a deeper experience of God for their own transformation and for the transformation of the world. It is not membership but it is a mutual relation-ship of vowed members of the Congregation and lay women and men. The vowed members receive from the associ-ates the wisdom of their faith stories, friendship and a new vision of co-creating the reign of God. At the same time, the Sisters share the heritage of joyful participation in the redeeming love of Jesus, their spiritual tradition, hospitality, and friendship. Associates maintain their individual lifestyles as they participate in the spirituality, life, and mission of the Congre-gation, living the IHM core values in various ways while ac-tively pursuing their spiritual growth. (For more information on becoming an Associate, go to http://ihmnew.marywood.edu/5.InterestedinJoiningUs/5IHMAssociates.html or con-tact Sr. Jean Louise Bachetti at 570-963-2480.)

Sister Kieran Williams, IHM

Sister Carol Loughney, IHM

Sister Betty Bullen, IHM


Bishop celebrates Opening mass for cardinal Gibbons High School

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the opening Mass of the school year for students, faculty and staff of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh on Thursday, September 1. Thirteen priests concelebrated the Mass. This year’s enrollment in the school, which serves the Triangle area, is slightly more than 1,200 students. Bishop Burbidge shared with the students the pilgrimage he and 64 young Catholics took to World Youth Day, held in Madrid, Spain, compar-ing it to the journey they are undertaking. “When I first met with the young people making their way to Lourdes and Madrid, I stressed that this was a spiritual pilgrimage. A pilgrimage,” the Bishop said, “is a reminder that life here on earth is not the end; it is only temporary. I encourage you to approach this year in the same way.” Expressing gratitude to the parents and others who support the students’ enrollment at Cardinal Gibbons High School, Bishop Burbidge made a special request of each person. “In the midst of your busy schedules and many responsibilities, find time to go to Chapel at least once a week. Fall on your knees. Be silent. Be still. Be with Jesus. You will hear His voice and feel His power. It will make all the difference and put everything in perspective for you. I promise!”

la Diócesis en el 2009 fue designado directamente para ayudar a los más afectados. Cerca de $200,000 dólares se distribuyeron a las parroquias para que ofrecieran ayuda directa a la gente para pagar el alquiler, pagar la hipoteca, pagar los servicios básicos y transporte para los desempleados. Las colectas especiales de las parroquias también ayudan a la Diócesis de Raleigh anualmente al proveer más de $250,000 dólares al Tasón de Arroz, que brinda ayuda a los proyectos en contra del hambre internacionalmente y en Carolina del Norte; también el Catholic Relief Service, la organización internacional de ayuda de los Obispos de Estados Unidos y la Campaña Católica del Desarrollo Humano, el programa de los Obispos en Estados Unidos contra la pobreza. Más de $725,000 se donan anualmente para ayudar con las necesidades locales, nacionales e internacionales, incluyendo a las misiones con negros e indios, la Iglesia en el Centro y Este de Europa, la Iglesia en América Latina y Catholic Home Missions. Para ayudar en la misión de la Iglesia en las parroquias pequeña y pobres, cada año, la Diócesis ofrece más de $ 100,000.00 en subsidios para la construcción de misiones de pequeñas Iglesias, y aproximadamente $250,000.00 para la operación de parroquias pobres y pequeñas en la Diócesis de Raleigh. En total, la Diócesis de Raleigh se comprometió con poco menos de 4 millones de dólares el año pasado para ayudar a los pobres y privados de derechos.

¿no es demasiado $75 a $90 millones de dólares para gastar en una nueva Iglesia catedral?

El costo estimado de $75 a $90 millones de dólares es para la construcción entera de el Campus de la nueva Catedral. El proyecto incluye la Catedral, instalaciones de estacionamiento para el campus entero, un edificio con salón de reuniones y espacios para las re-uniones de los feligreses, y todos los costos del proyecto relacionado con el diseño de la construcción. Como Iglesia, un elemento esencial de nuestra misión es la opción preferencial por los pobres y cómo ejercer esta preferencia a través de nuestro compromiso al proveer ayuda directa a aquellos más necesitados. De esta manera, testificamos el amor de Nuestro Señor que nos ha llamado a vivir, pero también nos damos cuenta que siempre debemos volver a su fuente a través de nuestra oración y adoración como comunidad de fe. Nuestro testimonio y ayuda compasiva hacia aquellos más necesitados es siempre dar vida y está cimentado en el amor de Cris-to cuando recibimos a Nuestro Señor a través de la proclamación del Evangelio, la Santa Eucaristía y la gracia de la vida sacramental de la Iglesia. Por lo tanto, los recursos comprometidos para cu-alquier proyecto de construcción de la Iglesia, no sólo fortalecen a los fieles en su relación con nuestro Señor, sino también le dan vida y amplían la misión de la Iglesia, especialmente entre los más necesitados. Como el centro de la vida diocesana, nuestro Campus de la nueva Catedral servirá en la misma manera y al hacerlo, le damos gloria y honra a Dios, no sólo a través de la arquitectura es-tética, sino a través de la belleza de los fieles que se reúnen allí para la oración y confirman su compromiso de llevar a cabo la misión de Cristo.

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The Franciscan School Receives national Recognition

On September 15, 2011, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan an-nounced that The Franciscan School in Raleigh is one of 49 private schools in the United States recognized as a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School. A total of 304 public and private schools received the honor.

“The Franciscan School is an important and vital ministry of the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi,” said Father Mark Reamer, O.F.M., Pastor of St. Francis of As-sisi Church. “It exists to provide our children with an opportunity not only for an academically excellent educa-tion, but also, integrated throughout the curriculum, a faith formation that will serve our students for the rest of their lives. I value the strong partner-ship with parents, parish and faculty. The Blue Ribbon recognition is a great tribute to the leadership of our principal Mrs. Jennifer Bigelow, the administration, faculty and staff of The Franciscan School.” The National Blue Ribbon School award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve at high levels or where the achievement gap is narrowing. Since 1982, more than 6,500 of America’s schools have

received this coveted award. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program evaluates schools based on one of two criteria: (1) Schools whose students are high performing. These are schools ranked among each state’s highest performing schools as measured by their performance on state assessments or, in the case of private schools, that score at the highest performance level on nation-ally normed tests; or (2) Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that improve student performance to high levels as measured by the school’s performance on state assessments or nationally normed tests. “I am thrilled that the Franciscan School has been recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence,” Mrs. Bi-gelow said. “This award is a testament to the commitment of the entire St. Francis community to provide a faith-filled education for the students of this

school. And now, our efforts to provide a quality Catholic Christian education are being recognized nationally.” On learning of the recognition, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said, “I extend profound congratulations to the faculty, staff, students, and parents of The Franciscan School for receiving the prestigious U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award for Ex-cellence. This recognition is reserved for those schools that have demon-strated a commitment to excellence and high standards of achievement. I am grateful for the leadership of the Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Fr. Mark Reamer, O.F.M., and the principal of The Franciscan School, Mrs. Jennifer Bigelow, for their vision and dedication.” Bishop Burbidge also expressed his gratitude to the teachers and staff who work so diligently every day with the students and parents of the school. “May God continue to bless all who are involved with this outstanding Catholic school.” Diocesan Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Fedewa also extended his congratulations. “This recogni-tion is the result of over a decade of hard work by the school and parish in creating a quality Catholic school that provides for the education of the whole child; intellectually, spiritually, and physically. The Franciscan School, along with the other four schools that have achieved this status, serves as a positive role model for all of our schools in the Diocese of Raleigh. The entire St. Francis Catholic Community is to be commended for this outstand-ing achievement.” The four other schools that have received previous recognition are St. Michael the Archangel in Cary, Sacred Heart Cathedral School and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, both in Raleigh. Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Burlington has received the Blue Ribbon twice. The U.S. Education Department will honor the 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools at a conference and awards ceremony Nov. 14-15 in Washington, D.C.


Bishop Dedicates St. mary of the angels, mt. Olive

On Sunday, August 28, 2011, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge dedicated a new church for the parish now called St. Mary of the Angels in Mt. Olive, NC. The parish, formerly known as St. Mary, was founded in 1916 as a mission of St. Mary in Goldsboro. Over time, St. Mary was made the responsibility of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Newton Grove. Then on July 1, 1998, in recogni-tion of the growing immigrant population in the area, Bishop F. Joseph Gossman constituted the mission a parish. The original St. Mary Church had been partially destroyed by fire in 1947, remodeled over the next year and then remodeled again in 2000. But its 85 seats had long been inadequate for the rapidly growing parish membership. By late 2006, under the leadership of Pastor Fr. James F. Garneau, a site plan was created for a new parish church. On November 20, 2010, Bishop Burbidge and mem-bers of St. Mary Parish broke ground for the new building. The 275-seat church is the first building funded, in part, by the Diocesan Home Mission Society, which Bishop Bur-bidge established in 2007 to support the construction and furnishing of mission churches and chapels in the mission areas of the Diocese of Raleigh. The Home Mission Society places special emphasis on building churches and chapels in areas where the parish-ioners, because of economic circumstance, are not able to fund the construction of sacred worship space in the traditional manner of capital campaigns, bank loans, and parish savings. The Society funded 25 percent of the total cost of the new church. As construction of the new church got underway, Fr. Garneau invited the parish council to consider modifying the name of the parish. Recalling the story of St. Francis of Assisi, called by Christ to “Repair My Church,” Father Gar-neau suggested that the new name might be the same as that of the church re-built by the hands of St. Francis and his first companions, “St. Mary of the Angels.” The parish council unanimously endorsed the proposal, which was forwarded to the Bishop, who, in keeping with Canon Law, declared on June 8, 2011, that the name of the parish be so amended. At the dedication, relics of St. Francis of As-sisi and St. Maria Goretti were sealed in the new altar. In his homily at the bilingual Mass and Rite of Dedica-tion, Bishop Burbidge expressed his deep gratitude to Fr. Garneau and to the parishioners of St. Mary. Then he explained the significance of the different prayers and ac-tions of the Rite: the blessing of the water, the singing of the Litany of the Saints, the anointing and blessing of the altar and the walls of the church, and the incensation of the

new altar. “The words we pray in this ceremony,” he said, “help us to understand how to know, love and serve the Lord our God and strengthen the Body of Christ.” “As we dedicate this church,” the Bishop concluded, “may we also rededicate our lives and this parish to our Heavenly Father. As beautiful as this church is, we know that we cannot stay here. Through the intercession of Saint Mary of the Angels, we must go forth as faithful disciples.” Following the Mass, Bishop Burbidge blessed ground designated on the property for the parish cemetery.

c o m m u n i t y

things to do:catholic convocation, October 15, Cardinal Gibbons High School, 1401 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27607. The Catholic Convocation 2011 with the theme of Love and Life in the Divine Plan is a day-long program designed for people who wish to learn more about the Church, its teachings and practices, and for all who serve in the many and varied ministries in the Diocese. Catholic Convocation features a keynote speaker and over 70 workshops throughout the day. Exhibitors representing products and services of interest to Catholics will also be present to serve our needs. The day begins with Mass, followed by the keynote address delivered by The Most Reverend Joseph Kurtz, Archbishop of Louisville and Vice President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The day will conclude with Evening Prayer, The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, Presiding. The Conference Schedule runs

Upcoming events at avila Retreat center711 Mason Road, Durham. 27712. To register or for more information, call 919.477.1285.

Secular Franciscan Retreat, October 7-9, Fri. 7 p.m. - Sun. 11 a.m. Theme: “Francis and Clare: In Their Own Words.” By the end of the weekend, you will be very conversant in the letters written by Clare to her follower, friend and pen-pal, Princess Agnes of Prague. Clare lived out her life in poverty and self-discipline, behind the walls of her monastery, housed in San Damiano, the church originally re-built by Francis in response to God’s call for him to rebuild the Church. We will focus the day on reading Clare’s letters and reading about Francis’ early Church, as well as the relationship between Clare and Francis. Presenter: Julie McElmurry is a parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary in Lexington, NC. She holds an M.S. in Religion and Religious Education from Fordham University and an M.A. in Franciscan Studies from the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University. She served the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte as a Campus Minister and Youth Counselor at a homeless shelter. Donation: $150.

Journey to Inner Peace: Living from Our Spiritual Center. Tues-day, October 18, 11 a.m. – Wednesday, October 20, 1 p.m. It is

no secret that we are living in an anxious and worried world. We are searching comfort for our troubled minds. There are so many sacred secrets within. Sr. Damian will focus on the words in Jeremiah 29:11-14 “I know the plans I have in mind for you…it is God who speaks…plans for peace, not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you…” Presenter: Sr. Damian Marie Jackson, OSF. A Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, she is the Director of Avila Retreat Cen-ter. She has presented retreats in Canada and along the East Coast and is a spiritual companion to many. Donation: $85.

Glittering Vices and Life Giving Virtues, October 26, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Part 1: The Dynamics of Vice (self-destructive habits) and Virtue (healthy habits) in our Lives as Christians. Part 2: Pride and Humility. This series will explore the ways in which the seven deadly or capital sins shape our lives and the ways in which we might cultivate the virtues emblematic of Christian disciples. Presenter: Fr. Bill McConville, OFM. Donation (includes lunch): $40.

from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration, Hospitality and Exhibits open at 8:00 a.m. For more information please contact Mary DiSano at 919.821.9710 or [email protected].

african communities mass, October 16, 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes, 2718 Overbrook Drive, Raleigh, NC 27608. Mass for the Swahili-speaking, French-speaking, and Igbo-speaking communities. Principal Celebrant: Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. For more information contact Lauren Green, 919.821.9762 or [email protected].

Retrouvaille Weekend, October 21, 6 p.m. – October 23, 2 p.m. Retrouvaille is a program that helps couples experiencing problems in their marriage. The weekend helps couples face their problems and begin to impact them in a positive manner. After the weekend, couples come together for follow-up sessions. If you are experiencing problems or know someone who is, contact Luann and Bill Roche at 434.793.0242 or [email protected].

Vatican International Exhibition-The Eucharistic miracles of the World, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 520 West Holding Avenue, Wake Forest, NC on Friday, October 21, 1 p.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturday, October 22, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The exhibition consists of 140 panels depicting 126 miracles. For more information contact Pat Schneck, [email protected].

marian Day of Reflection, October 22, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at St. Luke the Evangelist Church. Rekindle your love for the Mother of God. Be inspired by featured speaker Johnette Benkovic, evangelist and creator of EWTN’s Women of Grace. Learn how to find peace and purpose through spiritual motherhood and true charity of heart! For more information call Tammy Huffman at 919.744.6998 or Cecile Walczyk Hosey at 919.624.7989.

catholic charities Sunday, October 23. Catholic Charities Sunday recognizes the support from parishes, volunteers and donors from all over our Diocese. Thank you!

Third Option: Marriage: It’s a God Thing. October 24, 7p.m. – 9p.m. at St. Patrick Church, 2840 Village Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304. For more information contact Linda Bedo, 919.821.9753 or [email protected].

“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” No matter how strong the winds, Jesus is there to take our hands and guide our marriage. The next Worldwide marriage Encounter Weekends are Nov 4-6, 2011 in Atlantic Beach, NC and Feb 3-5, 2012 in Charlotte, NC. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: http://NCMarriageDiscovery.org or contact William & Elizabeth Nickles at [email protected] or 704.469.3866.

catholic campaign for Human Development Dinner, October 27, 6:30 – 9 p.m., St. Michel the Archangel, 804 High House Road, Cary, NC 27513. Local grant allocations are awarded by Bishop Burbidge to those organizations receiving grants. The dinner is open to all.


charismatic conference, October 28-30. Come and celebrate Life in the Holy Spirit at the North Raleigh Hilton.

John Paul II Legacy Lectures, November 14, 15 and 16 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill. A lectures on “The Life and Writings of Blessed John Paul II” will be given each evening from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. This year’s featured lecturers are Fr. James Garneau, Dr. Paul Griffiths and Dr. Christopher Wolfe. All lectures are free and open to the public. Sponsored by The Diocese of Raleigh Catechetical Institute. For more information

contact Robert Jones at 919.821.9740 or [email protected].

Third Option: Respect. November 7, 7p.m. – 9p.m. at St. Patrick Church, 2840 Village Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304. For more information contact Linda Bedo, 919.821.9753 or [email protected].

62nd annual Harvest Day sale and auction, Saturday, November 19 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Newton Grove. Please visit us for a delicious plate of barbeque pork or barbeque chicken anytime between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. Cost is $7 per plate and includes slaw, potatoes,

hush puppies and cake. We will also have miscellaneous items for sale during the day and an auction beginning at 7 p.m.. Please contact 910.594.0287 for more information.

10th annual Ignited By Truth catholic conference – Save the Date! February 24-25, 2012 NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh: “Bringing to light the truth of the teachings of the Catholic Church and igniting in our hearts a love for our Faith.” Hear Michael Barber, Professor of Theology and Scripture; Dr. Philip Mango, Catholic Psychotherapist; Sr. Miriam James Heidland, Former Volleyball Star now SOLT; and Bishop Michael F.

Burbidge, Vigil Mass Celebrant and Homilist. More speakers and details coming soon! www.IgnitedByTruth.com.

Handicapped Encounter christ Fall Retreat, October 21-23 at Short Journey Center in Smithfield. We are in need of able-bodied partners for our physically disabled members. Training is offered and new able-bodied retreatants are partnered with experienced community members. The cost is $65 for the retreat. Scholarships are available. This is a wonderful ministry and an opportunity to receive much more than you give! For more information contact Brent Heiser, 919-544-0684 or [email protected].

Filipino community commemorates Patron Saint

On Sunday, September 25, 2011, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge joined with the Filipino community in the Diocese of Raleigh to commemorate the Feast of St. Lo-renzo Ruiz, the first Filipino Saint. Bishop Burbidge was the Princi-pal Celebrant and Homilist of the Mass celebrated at Holy Cross Church in Durham. Father Ray-mond Donaldson, S.J., Pastor of Holy Cross, Father Ryan Zamora Carnecer, CICM, Parochial Vicar of St. Eugene Church in Wendell, and Father Julian Jagudilla, OFM, former Parochial Vicar at St. Fran-cis of Assisi Church in Raleigh, concelebrated. The ceremony began with a procession around Holy Cross of about 400 members of the Fili-pino community singing and car-rying lit candles. Saint Lorenzo was a married layman with a wife and three children. He was born in Binondo, Manila, to a Chinese father and a Filipina mother in the early 1600s. He grew up and was educated under the influence of the Dominican Fathers. In 1636, under the advice and help of the Dominican Fathers, Saint Lorenzo left with several friends for Japan to avoid prosecution for an alleged crime. Immediately upon their arrival, they were captured, imprisoned, and later tor-

tured. Saint Lorenzo was given the opportunity to save his life if he would reject his faith. Saint Lorenzo replied that he would gladly give up thousands of lives for God if he had them. On September 29, 1637, he was put to death. His body and those of his martyr companions were cremated and thrown into the sea.

Noting Saint Lorenzo’s strong faith, Bishop Burbidge said, “In the midst of torture and the heaviest of crosses, he repeated his ‘yes’ to the Lord and to the faith he professed. Nothing would deter him from being the person he promised.” St. Lorenzo Ruiz and his 15 companion martyrs were can-onized by Blessed Pope John Paul II on October 18, 1987. In proclaiming September 28 as his feast day, Pope John Paul II called St. Lorenzo Ruiz a Patron Saint of Immigrants. “Saint Lorenzo found his strength by listening to God’s Word; by receiving the graces of the Sacraments and by turning to our Blessed Mother for her pro-tection,” Bishop Burbidge said in his homily. “Perhaps today, the

Lord is not asking us to say ‘yes’ to any specific work but only ‘yes’ to His invitation to draw closer to Him and to rely on the divine assistance He offers.” This was the second year a Diocesan Mass was held in honor of Saint Lorenzo. A reception was held after the Mass to continue the celebration.

p a r i s h p r o f i l e

t. Mary Mother of the Church Parish, Garner, actually began in Fuquay-Varina in 1963 as a mission of Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Worshippers met for Mass in the Raleigh Savings and Loan Building there for six months, then in a private home for another six months. The first Mass in Garner was offered in a rented former beauty shop in 1964, for a congregation of 34. That year land was purchased and the current church building was built and dedicated in 1965.

S

A legacy of charity and justiceSt. mary mother of the church, Garner

of the sacristy. St. Mary became a parish in 1967, with Fr. Charles Mulholland, also Chaplain at North Carolina State Univer-sity, as its first pastor. In 1970, Fr. Gerald Lewis, simultane-ously Diocesan Director of CCD and NCSU Chaplain, moved to an apartment built for him and became St. Mary’s first resident priest. Fr. Mulholland would return to St. Mary in 1989, and Fr. Schriber said that his influence is still very much in evidence. “Father Charlie was known for his social activism and concern for the poor,” the pastor said, and those priorities continue to inform

the character of the 1100-family parish in its commitment to stewardship and such traditions as Share Sunday, implemented by Fr. Mulholland twenty years ago, when parishioners were asked to write a check to provide for those in need. Fifty per cent of that collection currently goes to Catholic Parish Outreach. “Our concern for the poor is quiet,” Fr. Schriber said, “but it embraces and supports many people with long term problems. The Social Concerns Committee is extremely effective in finding avenues of assistance for those in need. Our parishioners have also consistently responded in a generous way to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: the fact that it helps support Catholic Charities in the Diocese is very important to them.” Another fruitful initiative of Fr. Mulholland’s was the establish-

ment of the parish council of the Knights of Columbus. “Father Charlie once told me, ‘Starting the Knights of Columbus was the best thing I ever did here,’” Fr.

Schriber said, “and the Knights have been a wonderful vehicle to encourage our men to be active in outreach in the light of their faith.” Outreach to other cultures is also a hall-mark of St. Mary. Parochial Vicar Fr. Roger Malonda, a multilingual native of the Congo, offers Mass regularly for French-speaking na-tives of West Africa. He also ministers to the significant Hispanic segment of the parish. “Their contribution is a promising part of life in our parish,” Fr. Schriber said.

St. mary mother of

the church, Garner

1008 Vandora Springs RoadGarner, NC

919.772.5524

the Diocese of

Raleigh St. Mary Mother of the Church is said to be the first U.S. parish given permission by the Pope to adopt that name. Fr. Robert Schriber, St. Mary’s Pastor since 2000, recalled with a smile that “Bishop Gossman used to tease me by asking, ‘So, how are things at St. Mary Mother of the Church Church?’” St. Mary was also one of the first U.S. churches constructed to facilitate implementation of the 2nd Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Liturgy. The altar faces the people and is placed at the forefront

l o c a l n e w s

new Unc-W campus ministry chapel Dedicated

On Wednesday, August 31, 2011, the Most Rev-erend Michael F. Burbidge dedicated a new chapel for Catholic Campus Ministry at UNC-Wilmington. Before the dedication, the Bishop offered Mass in the Campus Ministry Center for students, alumni and supporters. This year Catholic Ministry on the UNC-W campus is mark-ing its 25th anniversary. Concelebrating with the Bishop on Wednesday was Reverend Al Dash, who started the campus ministry on August 15, 1986, and continues to provide priestly ministry at the Center. Commenting on the anniversary, UNC-W’s current Catholic campus minister, Sister Rose McNamara, S.U., said that “over the years each new class of students has made its mark through sharing interests and talents, and through asking the relevant questions of their time.” At the end of Mass the Bishop led a procession to the chapel, where he deposited the Blessed Sacrament in the new tab-ernacle, then blessed the tabernacle and anointed and conse-crated the altar. The new chapel adjoins the Center. “It is our hope,” Sister Rose said, “that this sacred space will provide the students with a place for personal and communal prayer as well as our Wednesday evening Eucharist. The chapel will be a perfect set-ting for praying the Rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours, and for developing habits of quiet contemplation.”

St. Stanislaus church to celebrate 14th annual Polish Festival

St. Stanislaus Church in Castle Hayne, NC will celebrate its 14th Annual Polish Festival on Saturday, November 5, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the church grounds. Admission is free, and there is plenty of parking on the church property. Festival patrons can look forward to genuine Polish foods including kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, pierogi, potato pan-cakes, Polish beer, and home-baked desserts. A variety of hand-crafted items and Polish souvenirs will be for sale. Entertainment includes the Polka Plus Band of Raleigh and lots of games and activities for youngsters. Festival-goers are invited to try their luck on the raffle, the grand prize of which will be $1,500 cash with second and third prizes of $1,000 and $500. St. Stanislaus Church is located at 4849 Castle Hayne Road (Hwy 133) in Castle Hayne. The parking lot entrance is on Marathon Avenue. For more information, please call 910.675.2336, visit our website, www.ststanspolishfestival.org or contact Kathy Yakimovich @ [email protected].

Online:

715 Nazareth St.Raleigh, NC 27606 919.821.9730 www.DioceseofRaleigh.orgwww.nccatholics.org

p l e a s e r e c y c l e

October 2011

The Diocese of Raleigh is now on Facebook to share news, stories, photos and video from across Eastern North Carolina. Find us at www.facebook.com/dioceseofraleigh.

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